Are Vets special cases?

[loquacious]

Probably been asked before but...

I can go to the Doctors, the chemists, any local shop, supermarkets, garages everywhere, but I can't go in the vets! It is really irritating me to be honest and I have just fallen out with the second vet this month over it.

Explain I must...

Phoebe is old now (13) and a cripple (like me) but unlike me, she was a rescue and very badly damaged in the brain department, to whit, she is terrified of people. Always has been right since the day I rescued her from nasty people when she was but 4 months old. Over the course of the last 13 years, she has had multiple serious injuries and illnesses which have required surgery and constant pills and care. Now that she is old and gets more and more decrepit by the day, I try to let her have an easy life, do what she wants and keep stress to an absolute minimum.

Sound fair?

The first vet I fell out with has been her caregiver for the last 7 years and to be honest, their care has been variable as has their pricing of things (used to vary by £20 per repeat prescription until I pointed it out to them) and when she needed them during 'lockdown' they were not willing to see her or help. I had to seek alternate, emergency treatment. About a month ago I rang them for a repeat of her usual prescription and they wanted to see her which irked me somewhat as they hadn't wanted to see her before when she needed them, but hey-ho,if we can just make sure she is seen outside so I can stay with her, after all, they know she's terrified.

But no.

Even though I knew they were doing that as the week before they had seen Chester (my other useless dog )to clip his nails (dewclaws) which had grown so long they had curled around into a full circle! They did them on the pavement outside the shop, not bother to me, all is good. But they wouldn't see Phoebe outside and no, she didn't need any treatment other than the 6 monthly wk to show them she's still alive though, what I'm buying expensive pills for a dead dog is a mystery to me.

I lost my temper with the vet, or rather, I came very close to it so rung off because she was totally unhelpful/uncaring.

Found another vet, explained all this to them, no problem, the vet will see her in the carpark. And so she did, pills prescribed all is right with the world. Until today when she needed more pills (she was only given a fortnights supply to see how she did on them) when it transpires that the vet we saw is on holiday for three weeks, didn't write up her last (only) visit and they have no record of her treatment at all. They then wanted me to pay for another assessment even though it was their fault, but, whatever. Asked for the usual outside treatment, not a problem...

Except it was. When the surly vet came out, she stood so far away (like 20 feet) and had a mask and a shield on I couldn't hear what she was saying, but we got over that, she wanted to see Phoebe walk. Phoebe walked about 10 feet and stopped at the side of the car, which is as far as she can walk now. This wasn't good enough and the vet lady got 'stroppy' with me as I wasn't doing what she wanted. She then insisted she was taking her into the surgery and was going to get a lead.

It was at that point I told her I really didn't like her or her attitude to Phoebe and we would be leaving. Which we did (quietly and calmly no less).

Now all you good people will doubtless tell me what an arse I am (not news) but I just want the best treatment for her without stressing her out to the point she carks on the spot... which is a worry for me now as she is so old and...

[megamaniac]

I have learned over the years to ask for the same vet and not settle for whoever is on that day. That way they get a relationship with the dog.
i can always get a car park consultation as the vet i see,understands how stressed my dog can be. If you can i would ask for a phone consultation with your original vet and explain calmly your position.

[sociopath]

Not as bad but our vets are coming outside all rigged up for a nuclear attack.

No idea why they think they're so vunerable compared with everyone else.

[irc]

You need a better vet. We have had our dogs at the vet during lockdown. Handed over at the door. Both vets at the practice are great so we don't really mind who we see though for tricky issues we will try to see George who we have been using for 27 or 28 years.

Our daughter's cat came to the end of life recentll and despite lockdown they let her into the surgery as an exception to sit with her cat for the last time. Rules are for guidance not blind obedience.

In our visits since lockdown apart from our cat all the other pets we have seen going in and out are handed over outside the door. But I'm sure if there was a good reason why the pet couldn't be seen on it's own they would compromise.

Reasonable charges as well.

[Thevet]

loquacious said:

I can't go in the vets! It is really irritating me

Now all you good people will doubtless tell me what an arse I am (not news) but I just want the best treatment for her without stressing her out to the point she carks on the spot... which is a worry for me now as she is so old and...

No you are not being an arse but you are missing the difficulties of running a business where there are guidelines given to a population of people not used to risk (small animal vets often young and of an anxious diposition ha ha). The RCVS gave some quite restrictive guidance on what we are allowed to do and how to do it, so your vets are following that , bot too closely IMO. As a later poster said, guidelines are not rules but people can be blind.
On the other side of my life of experience, you could be a pain of a client who we would be glad to lose. However, your desire for care for your pet should provide a similar drive to vets (should that need to be said? yes because people who get to be vets are not always animal lovers nor understand how people's heads work certainly took me plenty of yrars to understand!)
As IRC said, you probably need a different vet, preferably one with a mixed caseload of farm and small animal, as farm vets and practices have been at the forefront of keeping practices open. We have certainly picked up more clients due to other practices remaining closed for too long.

[mike74]

It is very annoying, god knows why vets are acting like, this it's completely OTT.

Our old boy is limping badly at the moment and I'm worried he's dislocated or torn something but I'm very reticent about taking him because he's also very nervous of other people (especially vets) and I know he'll be panicking and struggling and thrashing around and probably make his injury even worse if they insist on examining him alone without me there to help control and reassure him as I've always had to do with previous visits.

Edited by mike74 on Wednesday 12th August 19:46

[Snubs]

Fortunately my vet has been very helpful during lockdown. My cat Bob has developed both cystitis (now sorted) and epilepsy (an ongoing drama) during lockdown so I've needed the vet quite a bit. If they need to see the cat, you hand them over in the car park and they take them inside and sort them out. For prescriptions, you give them a call when you arrive and they put them on a table out front. For more minor issues the vet, who is always the same vet which isn't something I've asked for but get anyway, will always give you a call back at the end of the day.

It all seems to work well and it was only reading this thread that I've realised i'm quite lucky!

[KAgantua]

Yep, OTT behaviour from the vet, had the same thing hope you get your dog sorted fella

[ctdctd]

I've seen four different vets at 3 different practices during and post lockdown.

One for a friends dog emergency during lockdown - wait outside until called, then dog + one person allowed in consulting room - only sanitizer required.

The others for my dog post lockdown for an initial visit, x-rays and then a referral.
Initial consultation done over the phone while we waited in car park.
Then required exam of dog also done in car park with the vet masked and gloved and me masked - to hold the dog.
Dog taken inside by vet once to be weighed.
The same for x-rays with dog handed over at door and consent form signed.
Same for the referral visit.
Payment by phone or online post visit in all cases.

All seemed to work very well and no hassle so yes, your experiences seem a bit awful - it's not hard to do most of a consultation over the phone!

[loquacious]

Thanks all for the comments, appreciated.

Took her today to yet another vet, totally different! We were even allowed into the waiting room. The lady vet was happy to sit outside (we were waiting outside so it was easiest) with us and checked her carefully and fully, though she had difficulty with her heartbeat as she was panting so much! Just to confirm my suspicions that the last woman was an arse they haven't sent through either dogs records though they received them by email within an hour so it can be done.

I may be a pain in the arse client they are glad to be rid of, I don't know and can't really say as I may be biased(!) but I think not, my primary concern is always with the health of the dogs not my wallet. I get on well with 99% of people and even get on with the vets I've seen... with the exception of the last woman who was, frankly, horrible. If I'd seen her the first time I'd have left immediately. To be honest, the fact that they lost Phoebe's records of her one prior visit did not bode well and the horrible vet just reinforced my distaste.

I get 'good vibes' from the new place (one of the vets there has an MX5 so can't be all bad ) and I get to see the same lady every time, within reason. I'm not a great one for swapping and changing, we were with the last place (but one which lasted 3 weeks!) for 7 years so I do tend to be loyal.

God, you've got me worrying now that I'm a pain in the arse client... I know the dogs are so all three of us, what a nightmare!

[KAgantua]

Mate I dont get the whole worship of GPs/ doctors/ Vets/ Dentists/ Pharmacists etc.

They are just providing a service. They either satisfy the clients needs in an efficient way while treating the customer with respect or... they dont.

Vote with your paws mate

[Thevet]

loquacious said:

God, you've got me worrying now that I'm a pain in the arse client... I know the dogs are so all three of us, what a nightmare!

Don't worry, there are plenty more PIA vets, I know, I've mixed with them for the best part of 40 years....maybe i am one too??
I guess my comment was based on the evidence I have of PIA clients posting nasty stuff about my practice just because they felt something hadn't gone right or an account had been chased up, if you run your own business you will find the public can be aawful, but if they are animal lovers and petrolheads, then things will be ok.

[PistonBroker]

Buddy landed badly in his favourite stream on Sunday. Sure enough he was limping later.

Our vets saw him on Monday afternoon and it was all dealt with well - we had to phone to say we'd arrived and then the vet came out to us. It helps that Buddy doesn't have any nervousness when it comes to the vets I guess - it was impossible to demonstrate his limp as he was so pleased to see the vet and he didn't give us a look back when the vet took him inside!

Thankfully just a sprain, so rest and a daily tablet will sort it. Turns out he has a heart murmur though.

Best of luck finding a helpful vet OP.

[wolf1]

We have had a fair amount of time at the vets lately. Our 6 year old lionhead rabbit Diesel contracted some form of neurological disorder and after a couple of visits she had to be put to sleep. Our regular vet allowed us to sit in the waiting room and as it was quiet he administered the sedative and the final injection there whilst my partner held her. He was masked, gloved and visored and we just wore masks.

This Monday evening we had to have our 12 year old Golden Retriever Marley put to sleep after he developed an aggressive form of cancer. It wasn't our usual vet as none could fit in an emergency appointment and as he was suffering we had to call round. Another local vet at short notice said she would look at him and confirmed there was nothing she could do other than euthanise him. We were both allowed into the treatment room albeit wearing masks, gowns and gloves. My partner and I held him as he passed.

Both of these vets did the best they could in the situation they had and both had enough compassion to alter the guidance to suit someone losing family pets and the highly emotional state we were in. My partner took flowers etc round to them to thank them for being so understanding and not letting Diesel and Marley pass away alone.

[garythesign]

Wolf1 - Sorry to read of your losses.

We have also been to the vet several times in the last few weeks.

We have been both in the consulting rooms and had our dogs taken from the car park.

Both of these have been fine and suitable to the particular procedure.

I think it must be hard for all health professionals to balance people skills with not getting too emotionally involved. I couldn’t do it, that’s for sure.

I thank those vets and vet nurses that come on here and share their knowledge. It is obvious you are highly skilled and also compassionate

[Chubbyross]

Thevet said:

loquacious said:

I can't go in the vets! It is really irritating me

Now all you good people will doubtless tell me what an arse I am (not news) but I just want the best treatment for her without stressing her out to the point she carks on the spot... which is a worry for me now as she is so old and...

No you are not being an arse but you are missing the difficulties of running a business where there are guidelines given to a population of people not used to risk (small animal vets often young and of an anxious diposition ha ha). The RCVS gave some quite restrictive guidance on what we are allowed to do and how to do it, so your vets are following that , bot too closely IMO. As a later poster said, guidelines are not rules but people can be blind.
On the other side of my life of experience, you could be a pain of a client who we would be glad to lose. However, your desire for care for your pet should provide a similar drive to vets (should that need to be said? yes because people who get to be vets are not always animal lovers nor understand how people's heads work certainly took me plenty of yrars to understand!)
As IRC said, you probably need a different vet, preferably one with a mixed caseload of farm and small animal, as farm vets and practices have been at the forefront of keeping practices open. We have certainly picked up more clients due to other practices remaining closed for too long.

Thevet, you make an interesting point about vets not always being animal lovers. At university I studied with several people who went on to become medics. Some of those people were the most awkward, non-people-types I’ve ever met. Medics and vets are first and foremost scientists who, as you rightly point out, do not always have the holistic stance that we might naturally assume they do towards their subjects. I’ve worked with plenty of medics who have no interest in people but are fascinated with how the body works. I assume it’s the same with some vets. As you say, I guess the answer is to shop around until you find a vet with whom you - and your animal - click.

As an aside, I took my new puppy for her first vaccination this week and hated having to hand her over on the street to a vet. The RCVS guidelines are ludicrously over the top, IMHO. They completely discount the psychological well-being of the owners who are left out in the street, only to be able to talk to the vet for a few seconds.

[bexVN]

loquacious said:

Thanks all for the comments, appreciated.

Took her today to yet another vet, totally different! We were even allowed into the waiting room. The lady vet was happy to sit outside (we were waiting outside so it was easiest) with us and checked her carefully and fully, though she had difficulty with her heartbeat as she was panting so much! Just to confirm my suspicions that the last woman was an arse they haven't sent through either dogs records though they received them by email within an hour so it can be done.

I may be a pain in the arse client they are glad to be rid of, I don't know and can't really say as I may be biased(!) but I think not, my primary concern is always with the health of the dogs not my wallet. I get on well with 99% of people and even get on with the vets I've seen... with the exception of the last woman who was, frankly, horrible. If I'd seen her the first time I'd have left immediately. To be honest, the fact that they lost Phoebe's records of her one prior visit did not bode well and the horrible vet just reinforced my distaste.

I get 'good vibes' from the new place (one of the vets there has an MX5 so can't be all bad ) and I get to see the same lady every time, within reason. I'm not a great one for swapping and changing, we were with the last place (but one which lasted 3 weeks!) for 7 years so I do tend to be loyal.

God, you've got me worrying now that I'm a pain in the arse client... I know the dogs are so all three of us, what a nightmare!

You have changed your user name I am sure because I recognise Phoebe and Chester but not your name

Anyway your posts over the years have only ever shown someone dedicated to try and do their best for their dogs but I have never thought you came across as a 'pain' so I am certain you wouldn't be in real life!

I am glad you found a vet to restore some confidence again. I hope Phoebe can be kept comfortable I know how much she has been through over the years.

[djc206]

megamaniac said:

I have learned over the years to ask for the same vet and not settle for whoever is on that day. That way they get a relationship with the dog.
i can always get a car park consultation as the vet i see,understands how stressed my dog can be. If you can i would ask for a phone consultation with your original vet and explain calmly your position.

Absolutely this. Our dog has epilepsy and has seen a vet who by chances specialises in seizures etc and he’s a godsend. He truly loves the animals he cares for and our dog tries to open the door to get in when I take her up to see him she loves him that much, a proper crush! She also had a cancerous lump removed by him before lockdown a couple of weeks before my sisters wedding which was rather inconveniently in Australia. My geriatric father in law was looking after our dogs during our trip so the vet went to our house to do his follow up checks with strict instructions to phone us to come home if it was bad news. In return the girls in the vets got some chocolates and the vet himself a nice bottle of wine from Oz for the clear communication and extra effort. I could not be happier with the treatment our dog receives but I know from previous encounters with other vets that they’re not all as caring or as prepared to go above and beyond, he’s one of the good eggs that does the job because he genuinely loves animals and has a cracking bedside manner if you like.

OP I feel for you. It’s tough. You’re absolutely not being unreasonable. And yes the stupid must stay outside in the car park thing is starting to grate with me too but I put that to one side because our vet is a sensible human being who will sans mask communicate clearly with us at a sensible distance.

[Thevet]

Chubbyross said:

Thevet, you make an interesting point about vets not always being animal lovers. At university I studied with several people who went on to become medics. Some of those people were the most awkward, non-people-types I’ve ever met. Medics and vets are first and foremost scientists who, as you rightly point out, do not always have the holistic stance that we might naturally assume they do towards their subjects. I’ve worked with plenty of medics who have no interest in people but are fascinated with how the body works. I assume it’s the same with some vets. As you say, I guess the answer is to shop around until you find a vet with whom you - and your animal - click.

It's an interesting concept to find so many non-animal lovers becoming vets and so many people-unfrriendly ppl becoming medics. Far too much emphasis on A level grades than genuine potential. I shouldn't complain too loudly as it took me many years to grasp some people skills. I feel far too many people get into vet school because they have the grades but no grasp of what life is about,
One of my school teachers had a phrase about people being either too heavenly to be any earthly use or too earthly to be any heavenly use, I'm definitely in the latter group.

[djc206]

Thevet said:

It's an interesting concept to find so many non-animal lovers becoming vets and so many people-unfrriendly ppl becoming medics. Far too much emphasis on A level grades than genuine potential. I shouldn't complain too loudly as it took me many years to grasp some people skills. I feel far too many people get into vet school because they have the grades but no grasp of what life is about,
One of my school teachers had a phrase about people being either too heavenly to be any earthly use or too earthly to be any heavenly use, I'm definitely in the latter group.

Adam Kay has said the same about doctors. Such a focus on being book smart that they overlook people who’d make great doctors instead favouring people who can learn lots of things quickly. Would you rather your doctor actually had some human in them or would you rather they had an encyclopaedic knowledge of things that these days especially can be learned with a few clicks of a keyboard?