[cubbysan]

I just recently went vet shopping because of my relocation. I chose a vet, had one wellness checkup for my kitten, so I really cannot tell if they are GOOD or not. They were very friendly, professional, and 1 mile from my house. They also have a chiropracter vet too.

I asked them about titers, and they highly recommended a vet that used to work there, but she is now over 30 minutes away. She is a holistic vet, very green, and has a state of the art facility.

I would love to bring my pets to the holistic vet, but am thinking that might be too far away for emergencies.

Is it possible to have two vets, and work together with them? Would you consider having a vet 30 minutes away for everything?

Just curious and want to know what decisions to make before I bring MacKenzie in for her next checkup.

 

[Penny & Maggie's Mom]

We switched over from the "down the street" vet over the vax issue. The vet I now use is across town ( 30 minutes in normal traffic) and he is worth his weight in gold IMO. I do know where the nearest emergency vet is, just in case.

 

[NuttinButGoldens]

I do, but it wasn't by design really.

My old vet, who I was with for 17 years, saw me through 4 Goldens and 2 Siamese Cats. They always got good care, and she was very friendly.

And she is 2 minutes away.

But... Over the last 3 years her prices have skyrocketed. Sadly, I simply cannot afford her very high prices any more. I don't know if the landlord raised her rent or what, but it all did start to happen when she decided to bring in another Vet to work with her. Prices started going up and up and up every since.

An example. A stool check is $78 there. At Gilmours new Vet? $18.95.

Each dog was costing me nearly $300 every year just for the simple checkup/tests/shots.


When I got Ronin (The Siamese) I asked for an estimate for all care, including neutering, through the entire kitten phase.

Her estimate was close to $500. Ronin's new Vet? $300.

So I moved Ronin, right from day one, to the new Vet. I did not have Gilmour at the time, so I didn't even know about Gilmours current Vet.

That left Dakota and Comet still with the old Vet, and I decided I would not move them, but not add any new animals to her services.

Comet passed in January. I got Gilmour in March, and at his breeders recommendation, started to us her Vet. It's more of a drive, but they are very good and far, far less expensive. Their $40 puppy visits INCLUDE all vaccinations! The old vet was $65, and included NO vaccinations.

Then Dakota died on April 1st. He was the last pet with the old Vet.

So now I have Ronin at one Vet, and Gilmour at another. I will probably move Ronin to Gilmour's vet next time around, but Ronin's current vet is also the local 24/hr emergency vet so I will still have thier number handy.

 

[FlyingQuizini]

I have three vets:

My "standard" vet is about 30 mins away and only open during the week.

My "local" vet is 5 mins away and open on the weekends. Nothing "wrong" with them, I just like the "standard" vet better.... but I'll use the "local" vet if I need a weekend visit that doesn't require an emergency.

My "holistic" vet is out of another office. Oh, and my "chiro" vet is at a 4th office!

And if I needed a true "emergency" vet, that's yet another office!

 

[cubbysan]

Wow, $78 for a stool check!!

 

[cubbysan]

I have three vets:

My "standard" vet is about 30 mins away and only open during the week.

My "local" vet is 5 mins away and open on the weekends. Nothing "wrong" with them, I just like the "standard" vet better.... but I'll use the "local" vet if I need a weekend visit that doesn't require an emergency.

My "holistic" vet is out of another office. Oh, and my "chiro" vet is at a 4th office!

And if I needed a true "emergency" vet, that's yet another office!

So who is the keeper of all the records?

 

[Cam's Mom]

I work with three vet hospitals...one close, about 10 mins, and the only vets in town. The other two are four hours away. It's not perfect but works OK. My in town alternative vet moved four hours away to the next town and we went with her. But, obviously not so good in an emergency.

And Taegan goes to another vet four hours away because they have the facilities to keep tabs on all her health needs in one place.

We do routine blood work, sometimes x-rays etc close to home, and take results with us. A bit like humans going for specialist visits.

 

[NuttinButGoldens]

No kidding

 

[Cam's Mom]

So who is the keeper of all the records?

Me, just ask for copies.

 

[Augie's Mom]

Augie has a regular vet, a holistic vet, and a cardiologist.

 

[Cam's Mom]

A stool check is $78 there. At Gilmours new Vet? $18.95.

That difference in cost is between a simple visual check, and look under the microscope, and DNA or protein testing for parasites/bacteria/protozoa which may not be visible. You get what you pay for. Things like chronic giardia might not show up on a visual screen.... the dog doesn't alway have symptoms, and it's transferable to humans.

 

[NuttinButGoldens]

Both were a full Giardia check. But he's been clear of it since he was 10 weeks old.

That difference in cost is between a simple visual check, and look under the microscope, and DNA or protein testing for parasites/bacteria/protozoa which may not be visible. You get what you pay for. Things like chronic giardia might not show up on a visual screen.... the dog doesn't alway have symptoms, and it's transferable to humans.

 

[fostermom]

I have two regular vets.

My first vet comes to my house. She does all the vaccinations, blood work and drops off the meds I need.

The second vet works with the rescue. I use them for x-rays, surgeries or emergencies (during business hours).

Then I have an E Vet right around the corner. Fortunately, I don't need them very often.

 

[Pointgold]

The care of my dogs is collaborative, just as is my own. I use various specialists (ie repro, opthal, ortho), and my "general practitioner" vet is happy to work with them.