Thinking of finding a new vet

cali baker

Worlds Greatest Chef
Feb 25, 2011
8,925
851
The Crown City (Pasadena)
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Tate Rory & Finn Paddington
Did it take a few tries for you til you found the right veterinarian for your bully?

I've been taking the boys to the same vet clinic since they came to live with me, when Tate was 8wks and when Finn was 4mos old.
For the most part, I've been satisfied w/the services there and w/the competency of the doctors.

Recently, with Tate's broken toe however, I've been re-evaluating this clinic in my mind (and in my pocketbook). I guess I've been turned off by the fees they charge me for every little thing. Maybe I'm wrong to complain and this is the usual practice, but after Tate got his paw wrapped I was told by the vet that he would need to get the bandage changed every 3 days or so. I wasn't told though that it would cost me $26 a pop. In fact, when i got the bandage changed the 1st time, I just left w/out paying b/c i thought it was free of charge. Nobody noticed either.
The next time I came back to get it changed I discovered there was indeed a charge. I was like, "are you serious? that's a lot of money." I mean, I understand if it's maybe $10 or $15, but when I have to get his bandage changed every 3 days and when he needs his paw wrapped for 6weeks, that adds up to a lot of $$$ !! On top of that, the E collar i got for him cost me a whopping $30 !
I guess the last straw was about the 3rd time I came in to get his paw wrapped and the very next day, the whole thing just came off! Plus, before that wknd the vet tech told me the vet wanted Tate to get x-rayed again in a few days. Thinking about it more as the days went by, I was thinking that another x-ray would be a waste of resources and money. I mean, the toe is taking time to heal, I was told up to 6 wks, so what would another x-ray tell us? that the toe was still broken probably!!

After that bandage came off, I decided to let Tate's paw just air out. Poor thing was all moist and red in color. I started reading about broken toes in dogs and many people, including vets, do not believe in wrapping the paw but in just keeping the dog as inactive as possible to let the toe heal. The wrapping can actually promote more problems like skin infections. I have not been back to the vet to have Tate's toe checked. Right now he is doing very well, maybe too well, b/c it hasn't been quite 4wks yet. He's not licking his paw, he's playing like normal, and he's not uncomfortable w/that big bandage on.

So I guess this experience is making me re-think if i'm at the right vet's office or not. I know it's a business and they need to make a profit, but I'd really love to find a place that was a little more intimate and "thoughtful" in their treatment approach.

Are you guys happy w/your vets for the most part?
 

Twice

My Bully Gave Me Wings
Feb 3, 2012
2,686
311
Woodbridge Township, NJ
Bulldog(s) Names
Abby (my Sweetie Head 10.24.11-11.23.12) and Otis
If you aren't happy then you should absolutely find a new vet.

I love Abby's doctors. Her regular vet is amazing. Her kidney specialist is always trying to find ways to save me money on her treatments. She is on vacation in Ireland this week but sent me an email just today asking how Abby is doing. The jury is still out on the holistic nuVet but so far he seems good. It's not about the money to him, I found this out when he told me the vitamins I was giving her were better than the ones he was trying to sell me and when I told him I couldn't do her first chiropractic adjustment until I got paid, he did it for free.
 

cowsmom

..........
Apr 27, 2011
6,996
384
Virginia
Country
usa
Bulldog(s) Names
Sarah aka cow
oh my yes dear get a new vet if your not happy. i had a good vet but when a lady who was highly regarded opened up her own office i started going to her as my vets bedside manner was a bit rough. well it was ok for a bit but the busier she got and bigger the personal touch was soon gone. she just didnt seem to care about sarah as a dog really. so back to my old vets and i couldnt be happier. he maybe rough around the edges but he is so concerned and helpful with sarah that its worth it to me. he the one who suggested laser treatments for her and the heartworm meds that have no flavoring so if its one thing ive learned if your not happy with your vet get a new one.
 

nyerathrt

New member
Jun 30, 2011
400
19
New York
Bulldog(s) Names
jameson and titan
yup went through 2 vets before i found one i really like. the first was just by chance, after i got jameson i needed someone...i left them after jameson went to the bathroom and i about died with all the worms he pooped out after having his heartworm treatment the day before...i walked in and dropped the poop bag on the desk and said he has worms...they were all ewww...we told you to bring us a sample last time you came in...i said ummmm yeah i did...they pulled his file and sure enough positive for worms....second vet was the place to go...state of the art...but the price showed it...800+ to neuter jameson...i was like give me a shoestring and i'll tie those bad boys off my self...i mean really 800 dollars to chop the boys off???? my new vet we love...he has frenchies so he knows all the issues...and he loves the boys
 

JAKEISGREAT

.................
Mar 25, 2011
14,802
1,155
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Jake
:hiya: Henny! Boy..do I have vet stories! :bang: I had to "fire" my last vet that I had been with forever. She had some mean front desk people and it got to be ridiculous. Then when we had to euthanize our Ana..we were treated so horribly, we decided enough! I changed to a one vet office. She actually used to work for the vet I "fired". It's just her and her husband who is an anesthesiologist...dog washer and jack of all things! I love it there. It's not the fanciest..but she spends as much time as I could ever need and she has lots of Bully's she treats. Her kids help out and are around a lot. I will PM you her name..look her up..she's about 15 minutes farther than Rose City..maybe less.
 
OP
cali baker

cali baker

Worlds Greatest Chef
Feb 25, 2011
8,925
851
The Crown City (Pasadena)
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Tate Rory & Finn Paddington
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
:hiya: Henny! Boy..do I have vet stories! :bang: I had to "fire" my last vet that I had been with forever. She had some mean front desk people and it got to be ridiculous. Then when we had to euthanize our Ana..we were treated so horribly, we decided enough! I changed to a one vet office. She actually used to work for the vet I "fired". It's just her and her husband who is an anesthesiologist...dog washer and jack of all things! I love it there. It's not the fanciest..but she spends as much time as I could ever need and she has lots of Bully's she treats. Her kids help out and are around a lot. I will PM you her name..look her up..she's about 15 minutes farther than Rose City..maybe less.

Thanks Becky! yes, I was going to ask you your vet's name again. You told me about her before and i knew how happy you are w/her. thanks!
 

MamaAndi

Moderator
Staff member
Nov 20, 2011
3,371
136
Nebraska
Bulldog(s) Names
Tank
I love my primary vet...he is available to us around the clock and he is big on treat now and pay later if you have to in order to get treatment now! (Plus he kissed my first bulldog on the face! Won me over big time LOL)
I totally get what you mean about certain vets seeming to be in it for the money...we had a cruddy visit today with a specialist and left feeling overcharged and under diagnosed!

I would definitly find a new vet if you feel that your babies aren't getting what they need from your current one.
 

Ftse 100

Bully lov'in wonder from down under
Mar 25, 2012
6,731
421
Qld Australia
Country
Australia
Bulldog(s) Names
Ftse
Yes I would definately change vets if you are not happy, I have on my file that I will not see Dr David for Ftse as I do not like him from way back when I had my pug dogs and he is the owner but I do not care I do not like him at all he has no feelings whatsoever. But I must admit they certainly do know how to charge I have not been for a visit with it costing me under $110.00 as of yet and they even charge $4.50 to throw the cotton wool ball in the bin, I feel like saying I'll take that and throw it away lol!!!
br 144.jpg
 

LoveMyBully82

New member
Aug 30, 2011
316
8
Houston, Texas, United States
We were using two different vets, but now stick to the 2nd one we found (well, really she got rave reviews from her customers). The first vet charged us for every little thing! Just to walk in the door was like $45. The vet we are using now does not charge just for seeing Jackson and even offers us a military discount (my husband is in the Army). Sometimes she'll waive fees or charges if we bring him in for something minor.
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
I haven't loved any vet we have had. Been to so many, some bully vets, some regular vets. I have liked some of the regular vets but of course they rnt bully vets. I hated the bully vets. I do really like the bully vet I have found now and will be using him for anything big from now on, even if the drive is an hour and a half. Lol would highly recommend to anyone in so Cal who doesn't mind the drive. ;) your very sounds awful. I think hasn't vets see bulldogs and just start the bill a rolling. Sad.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 

Sherry

New member
Jan 15, 2011
5,183
477
Denver PA
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Jack , Dolly, Grizz, Peggy Sue, and Scrimps
It's hard for me to trust a vet totally. Nobody knows my critters like I do.
I like to do my research before I even call the vet, so at least I can tell them what it is and what i want done. hey, a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do.
[MENTION=1904]cali baker[/MENTION]
 

RescueMe

New member
Community Veteran
Mar 2, 2011
1,387
56
Chaffee, MO
Bulldog(s) Names
Lola Blue, Mojo Titus and Gracie,Caleb, Bogart and Ziggy forever in my heart Roxy and Rollo
It took me three vets to find the one I love. He gave me his cell number, comes in all hours of the night, listens to suggestions or ideas. Now if he would quit sending people getting rid of their bullies to me. .
 

NigelsMom

Well-known member
Community Veteran
Oct 21, 2011
1,745
131
Houston, TX
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
Frenchy - Ian Wentworth Carlisle, Eng Nigel Wentworth Sinclair (RIP) & Karly Isabella Sinclair (RIP)
I use the vet that my breeder uses and so far I've been happy with them. Pricing is hard but I've been able to manage and have been lucky that nothing serious has hit us as of yet. The location is a little far but for my babies health I don't mind the drive.

Glad you have some good suggestions already! Sending hugs to you & the boys!
 

gunnyboy

New member
Community Veteran
Feb 10, 2012
656
61
Bradford Pennsylvania
Bulldog(s) Names
Sarge and LuLu
I drive 1 hr. 25 min to Sarges Vet because they are great there and know Bullies its worth the drive.For small things like nail clipping ect I stay local.
 
OP
cali baker

cali baker

Worlds Greatest Chef
Feb 25, 2011
8,925
851
The Crown City (Pasadena)
Country
United States
Bulldog(s) Names
Tate Rory & Finn Paddington
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Thanks all!

Well, I do have a new prospect (thanks to Becky), and will schedule Finn to meet her next month hopefully.

I have to say that my current vet office has a lot of caring vet techs and the receptionists are really nice; they started hiring new vets and one of the vets i really liked left the practice...I just started feeling like a number there rather than a patient. So, the search continues!
 

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