I truly hate having to find a new veterinarian. It's easier to find a new physician for myself than to find a good, reliable vet. In the 11 years of doing this we've gone through 13 different veterinarians. I don't know if it's partially a result of the consolidation of vet clinics by conglomerates so that the veterinarians and staff are more beholden to their board of directors and shareholders than they are to their clients. The prices at the mega-facilities certainly allude to this practice. It's frequently hard to tell if a clinic is private or has been bought out by BigVet because they retain their former names so they can retain their clients. To be fair, I've seen a lot of shoddy practices by small, independent clinics as well.
In the past I've tried to get compensation from a mega-conglomerate, that is known by 3 initials, for malpractice that nearly blinded my dog. Only one other veterinarian was willing to stand by me in this pursuit, even though the office is well known for shoddy work. All I can do in this respect is make sure all the people affiliated with me know that I would never take another animal there and I provide them with reasonable options.
I agree with SSAS. When you're looking for a vet for your rescue organization the main answer is "research, research, research". That's one of the great things about the internet. Every disgruntled client is going to post a comment somewhere. SSAS is also correct - never leave a pet alone with the VTs or vet until it's actually time for a procedure. Reputable and knowledgeable vets won't have a problem with you being there while they insert an IV stint, repair a minor wound, or give vaccinations.
Talk with the vet. We've all been doing this long enough that we're pretty well versed in the maladies our rescue animals encounter. You can test their knowledge, ask questions, and make alternate proposals. If the vets are willing to share their knowledge with you and give you reasonable suggestions there's a pretty good chance they're going to be equally sensitive to your animal's needs. It also gives you the opportunity to determine how up-to-date the veterinarian is with new techniques and procedures for your particular animal's condition. So yes, we need to do our research before going to a vet. My current vet is wonderful and barely even rolls his eyes anymore when I say........ "I was reading about..........."
Private clinics can be real lifesavers for a rescue - both in terms of care as well as financial savings. In the last year I've brought 24 animals with pretty serious conditions to my current vet and recommended him to over 15 adopters who I know are using him. We have a good personal and professional relationship. Now I'm just crossing my fingers that he stays with his clinic as long as I'm doing rescue.
#General