What types of things will keep you at a vet clinic?
Service. You have to have staff & vets that KNOW how to treat & talk to a owner. It's alot like the restaurant biz. If the food was poor, the staff made up for what could be a BAD night for the chef. Even if the decor was uninviting, well, the smiles & the attention kept the experience positive. The bottom line is, you may return & give the establishment another chance.
What about a Veterinarian will you like and what won't you like?
I like simplicity. I like easy options & honesty. I've taken my dogs for check-ups & for wound infections & after the 3rd revisit because my chow/husky mix Lucy, loves to jump & continues to injure her paw- the vet informed me that I didn't need to bring her in every time. He made it clear that calling in for the meds would bypass the visitation fee. Logical... but crazed as I'm feeling when I walk Lucy there, I never made the connection.
I believe unless the owner is a raving beast, he/she must be in the room w/ the vet during examination. Before every instance during a visitation, I'll come up w/ questions on other matters pertaining to their wellness & 90% of the time, my current vet has not flinched in offering suggestions like finding products in larger chain stores & tips on being a better owner.
Things that made you switch Vets? Worst clinic experience ever?
This is bad. The first vet was very nice & my dogs were going there for 4 years. During a summer, Lucy hurt her paw again & he somehow took her blood (I thought this was part of the procedure) & ran a blood test. I was given the meds & we left. However, he calls me 3 days later & tells me he ran this test & wanted me to come in. I was then informed that Lucy had a barrage of issues, specifically w/ her liver. He stated that more tests should be conducted. I asked him about costs & they were high but he was unsure or rather flexible which just didn't seem right to me. He then showed me the blood report but I had no idea what I was reading- the worst part is, he seemed to think I should. It then occurred to me I never asked him to do this & he was speechless. I paid for the blood report & was never given the copy. A mess. I never returned. He still sends me puppy postcards though.
Best clinic experience ever?
Our present vet knows who I am, talks to my dogs like a friend in a scary place, & most importantly- walks me through the meds for my dogs. Tells me exactly what's on the bottle & its effects when taken. You know as well as I do Bambi, that pet meds or not, people look at that label for more than what's printed. Any slight misconception to what the Dr. or the staff has stated that isn't mirrored to the text on that bottle & stress levels soar. These vets (who happen to be brothers), take that extra minute & make it clear how treatment & the path to recovery is applied through the medication.
Experiences with staff besides the Vet?
Knowledgeable & friendly; they know you & greet your dog. It's been effective to the point that I've come to recall their names.
Whats the longest you wait in the waiting room before becoming upset?
I've never waited for more than 30 minutes. Note that I do live 8 blocks away, & we walk there. Additionally, when I'm waiting, the place is busy & the staff usually comes around w/ treats for any overly nervous animal.
If the person on the phone is rude, will you look elsewhere?
This depends on repeated offenses & the urgency as to why I'm calling the staff. Chances are I'll dial again but should the encounter be the same individual & similar in their response, I'll talk to the vet personally & complain. If this is a new vet & the reviews weren't exactly stellar, I'll look elsewhere.
I hope this helps, Bambi!
