Can you register with 2 vets practices?

[itsmyparty]

Our 2 have been registered with the same vets since we got them. At the yard where they are kept another vet has just opened a branch which means no call-out charges if you register with them. One horse has had a LOT of problems in the 3 years we've had him and the vets know him very well, so I'd like to stay with them if possible. But for little things like vaccinations and sedation for the dentist etc it would save a fortune to have the on-site vets from the other practice deal with them. So my question is, can you register and is it ethical or even polite to register with 2 vets practices at the same time?

 

[Pipkin]

I`m with 3 one is cheaper than the other 2, number 2 is closest but are sometimes impossible to get hold of in an emergency which is why i had to ring the 3rd one
Have now moved homes and its 45 miles away from old yard so have to find a new vet

 

[Maesfen]

I've never had to register with any of them, I use whoever is best for whatever I need and I don't think vets will complain if you go to them instead of your normal practice and vice versa; they're not like doctors where you have to be registered with them before they see you. It does make sense to keep with the old vet for dramas relating to the one horse though even if you use new vet for jabs and things.

 

[abbieandfiona]

Im registered with two one local and one that over hour away.

 

[gunnergundog]

I have one local man I use for vaccs and anything basic; another practice an hour away that I use for anything I know is going to be serious but would have no compunction about going anywhere to a subject matter specialist should it be needed.

 

[BigRed]

I like to have continuity of service, so its not something I would do, but I can see the temptation, if you can avoid the actual call out charge, however you ought to get details of their treatment charges because they may be higher than your existing vet and you may not be making the savings you hope for.

 

[Dolcé]

We use our equine specialist vet who we have trusted for years for anything complicated and the other practice with 'zone days', meaning no call out charge for routine visits for less important/routine calls. Both are probably as good as each other and the second one has equine vets so if I had to get them rather than the other it wouldn't matter.

 

[FinkleyAlex]

I'm with two - one in Norwich for term time, and one at home. They work together to make sure they both stay up to date with any issues that arise etc

 

[welshcobmad]

Was just about to start a new thread then found this.

I've had my horse since a foal & he's just turned 7, always used vet 1 (closest & coincidently cheaper) fine. Last few month horse has had respiratory virus which still hasn't cleared up totally he's still coughing quite a bit, vet 1 has been useless, after bloods came back clear just told me to rest him & put him on broad spectrum antibiotics.

Times rolled on (all started 16th April) between 6 weeks off, being restricted to walking etc horse is still coughing in trot & breathless even in walk.

Vet 2 further away but specialist with equine centre, rang this morning & explained everything, their coming out to see him under saddle etc, examine him & if a conclusion can't be drawn there then box him to the centre for scoping. Hopefully won't come to that & specific antibiotics will do the trick but there we go.

Bottom line, I had to register with vet 2 to get them out, she told me to ring vet 1 to tell them I've changed. Am I not allowed to keep vet 1 for routine stuff such as jabs & vet 2 for emergencies or more specific procedures?

 

[Flame_]

I use two different practices. One has great, experienced, trustworthy vets, the other has good communication between vets and receptionists and make and keep (near enough) to appointment times and are generally easier to deal with. Its a shame I don't feel I get all these things from just the one practice, but I don't so I use the first for anything emergency/serious/complicated and the second for routine stuff.

 

[Miss L Toe]

My horse has moved around so I have an account with three vets, they are in business, I am a customer, the only thing that concerns me is that in the past I have asked for some medication which is for other horses, so the paper trail might show my horse has had mud fever and mites., also smelly feet and a skin condition!
as for continuity, if my horse needed ongoing attention , I would want one vet to attend, but they should all be able to deal with one off problems.

 

[planete]

Couldn' t you just explain to both vets that you want a second opinion?

 

[Silmarillion]

I always assumed it depended on the practice's practices. I fell out with my local vet, and had my horse's notes transferred to a less local but much better place. I use them for almost everything - except if she colicked in the middle of the night, I'd call out the local vet as it's half the time. I can't see them refusing to come out! With routine things, I think most vets are happy enough to take your money They may have specific rules they ask you to stick by - why not ask? You're a paying customer, after all - it's not the horsey NHS