STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

laken1 · Hermes

How do I find a new vet? Long, sorry

luckylily · Gucci

Yes, you can make an appointment just to discuss general issues. I would also suggest asking friends or coworkers. I think word-of-mouth is the best way to find a good vet.

poptart · Coach

My only recommendation is to make sure the vet is a member of the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association). They accredit animal hospitals and offer continuing ed for veterinarians.

halleybird · Hermes

I agree with both of these statements. And Luckylily had a good point about a general visit. Vets, like doctors, have different philosophies (natural vs. chemical treatments, spay/not spay, etc.) and it's important to find one who's in sync with you.

laken1 · Hermes

Thanks ladies - i don't have anyone very near me with pets to get a recommendation - my vet now is less than a mile from me - my poor cats get so freaked out in the car it is terrible for them as well as for me....I guess that's why I am looking for "near" but that seems silly too i guess. I just think of vets like I think of dentists - some of them want you to have a healthy mouth, some want you to have a "perfect cadilllac" mouth. Some things are available but not necessary or affordable. I just want someone to be honest about these options. I also agree that he should be treated for his sickness, I just think that I need to hear all my options / risks to treatements just like a regular doctor IS REQUIRED BY LAW to do. I also think that I need an option to add my pet to my health insurance - their bills are more than either of ours !!! LOL

halleybird · Hermes

laken1 wrote:

I also think that I need an option to add my pet to my health insurance - their bills are more than either of ours !!! LOL

You know you can get pet insurance, right? We had it for awhile. It isn't a bad deal, IMO.

Deuce · Dooney & Bourke

That is actually really common for a vet to make you feel horrible about spay/neuter. I do not think this is a good thing, but it is something that is a huge problem and they see way too much of. I am not trying to lecture you at all just that as someone who works with animal sometimes you see each litter of puppies and kittens as a problem. There are so many kitties out there in sheltes and being put down. ok I am done know.

I think you should look for another vet. You should not feel uncomfortable. I think you should start looking at places that are close to you and give them a call. you will know the one when you get them on the phone. even the office people in a good vets office will sound right.

Good Luck

laken1 · Hermes

Deuce wrote:

That is actually really common for a vet to make you feel horrible about spay/neuter. I do not think this is a good thing, but it is something that is a huge problem and they see way too much of. I am not trying to lecture you at all just that as someone who works with animal sometimes you see each litter of puppies and kittens as a problem. There are so many kitties out there in sheltes and being put down. ok I am done know.
I think you should look for another vet. You should not feel uncomfortable. I think you should start looking at places that are close to you and give them a call. you will know the one when you get them on the phone. even the office people in a good vets office will sound right.
Good Luck

He makes me feel bad about EVERYTHING not just the kittens - I understand pet over population & the issues with that. And trust me, I don't want kittens again, as soon as it was time I took the mom in to be fixed. She got pregnant on her first time in heat, which we didn't even know she was & we let a stray in in below 20 degree weather out of sympathy for him (he lives outside in our neighborhood). Kinda like having a pregnant teenager, we knew it wasn't ok, but then she's pregnant, what are you going to do? Our vet also preferred not to spay after they are pregnant so I wasn't given that option either - which I understand is pretty common practice. Anyway, we did find them all good homes - except one which we kept - so none went to a shelter. I took that responsibility very seriously.

It's really my cat with asthma that irritates me. He makes me feel bad if I give him pills every day because he says he doesn't need them every day, but he has symptoms every day. On the flip side of that, if I bring him in & he is congested he accuses me of not giving him meds correctly. That's my real frustration.

I'm looking now but i imagine i'm going to have to go further from my house than i would prefer since there are only 2 vets in my town. Ugh. I'll let ya'll know what happens.

-- Edited by laken1 at 09:11, 2005-08-17

gruiz · Kenneth Cole

Do you have any shelters near you? I would give them a call and ask what vet they use. In my experience, vets who work closely with shelters tend to be very kindly.