Changing vet practice (feeling very bad)

[Pinkvboots]

I didn't even realise this was possible

I've switched now, spoke to my vet this evening, and my records have been sent across to the new practice. I'm an idiot

You can register with as many vets as you like I have 3 that I use only 1 has my horses full records as I use them for lameness and have known the main guy there for years, but in the past o have used others for jabs or other minor stuff they have never asked for my horses records.

 

[Caol Ila]

You can register with as many vets as you like I have 3 that I use only 1 has my horses full records as I use them for lameness and have known the main guy there for years, but in the past o have used others for jabs or other minor stuff they have never asked for my horses records.

I suppose Hermosa is registered with the two different vets. My old vet practice covered her previous yard, so she was with them when we she was there, and I never unregistered her when she moved to current yard. I just added her to my account with Fin.

 

[Melody Grey]

If you’re registered with multiple practices, insurers can (rightly) ask for histories from all practices which can take a little collating sometimes but perfectly doable and much easier now it’s all electronic. I’ve had this requested when there appear to be gaps in vaccinations on a single history, but they’ve been done by another practice.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

The smallest fry in the world but just need a wee gut spill.

I changed vet practice today after 10 years with my vet, and it's made me so sad.

My vet is amazing. He has gone above and beyond time and time again. I am so grateful for everything that he has done, especially for the last two ex racers. Unfortunately, there's only one of him, and he can't work 24/7.

The trauma that was losing Vinnie to cellulitis was "live streamed" on here. After another vets initial visit I called another twice to have someone come back out because Vinnie was in a lot of pain and getting worse. I was told there was no point in a visit and nothing else could be done any different than me giving more bute. Thankfully when I called the third time it was "my" vet on call OOH and he came straight out. He did a lot more than give a bute and continued to go above and beyond until sadly he had to put Vin to sleep.

During the course of Vin's treatment a third vet was out to assist "my" vet. They tried to pull a tooth out while Vin was sedated without any communication at all, without even having permission to look in his mouth never mind all that was going on at the time (my vet brought another vet to that appointment because things looked bad and might have needed to do a tap) and that they weren't asked or there to do anything of the sort. Aside from the fact Vinnie was close to dying even in a healthy 11yr old that cap should have been left (re confirmed with usual EDT).

That vet has been out once since to change a bandage and didn't do a good job (it was a big and tricky bandage job). "My" vet had to come back the next day and replaced it FOC. So i have tried to get over it but I can't. Even now recalling the tooth thing with Vinnie makes me so angry. I know vets are human and have really difficult jobs, we all make mistakes in our jobs and wrong calls but I can't understand their reasoning or actions. I just wouldn't trust them in and emergency.

When my current horse tried to amputate his leg on a Sunday night I called OOH vet twice and emails pictures but they were so resistant to coming out and ultimately didn't. "My" vet came out first thing Monday morning, stapled the knee and bandaged from elbow to hoof 16 layers thick. I'm positive if he had been on call he'd have come out as soon as I called.

So yeah, I don't have confidence that someone will come out when I need them or in the judgement of another one. I know it's the right decision for the horses but I'm just really devastated because "my" vet is so amazing. I've been with them 10yrs, pretty much since the practice started. All sorts has been flung at "my" vet and he has been brilliant every time. He is so thorough and conscientious.

There isn't really a point. I'm just feeling sad and wallowing.

I guess my only sort of point is I'd like to send "my" vet something as a thank you.( I have spoken to them and explained my reasons for leaving. ) What would be a good/appropriate gift? Just a card thanking them again or nothing at all?

My only solution is to win the lottery and have him as my personal vet

I changed vets back in 2012 for misdiagnosing my mares laminitis. one vet there was lovely and I was sad to go but after a traumatic experience and loosing my girl I would not - could not stay.

So sympathise with you. You cannot stay after that

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

How does this work in practice? I thought when you registered with a vet they asked for your horse's records from the previous practice. Do both know that you're with the other?

the details are forwarded to new vet so they know you changed but cannot do anything about it.

 

[McGrools]

I would not feel remotely guilty for ditching vets. There is no loyalty from them other than wanting your money and lots of it!

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Oh blimey TPO just caught up with your thread…what a blooming dilemma. I’m actually registered with two vets down here…wouldn’t contemplate that in Scotland. As for a gift what about gift voucher for one of the farm shop type places…Loch Leven sprang to mind cos I loved the cafe/shop there lol

 

[Reacher]

Sorry you had such a bad time with Vinnie .
I’m sure your preferred vet will appreciate a card / small present and will understand your reasons.

I once had the vet on call at our local practice refuse to come out, twice , to my retired mare, who had vague colic symptoms. Then I rang a different vets who came out and treated her for colic. (I was probably lucky they came as I don’t think I can have been registered with them). I used the 2nd practice on occasion after then for a call out from time to time. I didn’t tell the original practice I was using the 2nd practice, I believe the vets around here have a gentleman’s agreement not to have clients who are also registered elsewhere. (The 2nd practice has since stopped treating large animals).

(There is an exception that I’m also registered with their knowledge with a small horsepital about 60 miles away who have more diagnostic facilities than the local vets).

Not sure what my point it, I guess speak to your preferred vet and see if he would be willing to provide routine visits - I guess the problem might arise if it was an out of hours call but you then wanted ongoing treatment by your preferred vet .

 

[Ddraig_wen]

I have accounts with multiple vet practices after having bad experiences with vets.
The 2 that are close enough for emergency cover have dicey vets and if one has a dodgy one on call I'll ring the other and just hope their newbie isn't on call unsupervised again.

Practice 1 - one of the partners misdiagnosed horse, left him in pain overnight then rang up in the morning as I was about to phone in and say please pts. the words out of their mouth, oh I thought he'd have died in the night.
Same vet refused to come out and pts livery mare several years later. This vet on call all weekend. Got another vet out who gave Mr a bollocking and asked why the mare was still alive.

Practice 2- 40min argument for them to pts a horse writhing on the floor in pain because new newly qualified vet was on call unsupervised and the text book didn't fit the situation.


Practice 3 - totally amazing but only 1 vet and he's stretched fairly thin and can't do emergency cover in my area.

Practice 4 - was really good but lots of mistakes with other equines in the area including overdosing resulting in death. Emergency cover doesn't cover my area.

 

[teapot]

You and I have the same vets. I am actually thinking of changing vets when I get a new horse due to the two vets I liked leaving.

YO recently had to call them OOH and they seem to be using Equicall rather than sending their own vets now.

My only concern about moving practices is the distance in an emergency situation like a colic.

A lot of practices are using Equicall - it's taken off as a business idea and I can kinda see why. Equicall vets only work OOH/emergencies, means bigger practices can give better rotas/hours to their existing vets (which imho is no bad thing when retention is so slow) and calls are screened by qualified vet nurses etc etc. Ok, so you might not get your vet of choice, but if it means a less stressed/overworked/exhausted vet arriving in an emergency that's no bad thing!

(Had a job interview with them a few years ago, before they told me they'd rather have vet nurses than general horse experience - found it an interesting concept)

OP, sorry you've had a such a rough time, definitely can register with two different vets if you want to cover your options. Think it's fairly common these days.

 

[Fieldlife]

A lot of practices are using Equicall - it's taken off as a business idea and I can kinda see why. Equicall vets only work OOH/emergencies, means bigger practices can give better rotas/hours to their existing vets (which imho is no bad thing when retention is so slow) and calls are screened by qualified vet nurses etc etc. Ok, so you might not get your vet of choice, but if it means a less stressed/overworked/exhausted vet arriving in an emergency that's no bad thing!

(Had a job interview with them a few years ago, before they told me they'd rather have vet nurses than general horse experience - found it an interesting concept)

OP, sorry you've had a such a rough time, definitely can register with two different vets if you want to cover your options. Think it's fairly common these days.

Is equicall when a number of local practices club together for OOO, and share the rota? And you speak to someone competent but not a vet on the phone who takes details?

 

[teapot]

Is equicall when a number of local practices club together for OOO, and share the rota? And you speak to someone competent but not a vet on the phone who takes details?

It's a specific company that provides OOO cover for many many practices, including some of the biggest ones around (Sussex Equine hospital do for example) across the South East, South, and South West, if not further north now. Equicall employ the vets directly, and then I presume practices pay Equicall to access their OOO cover. The website's a bit out of date but some info here: https://equicall.co.uk/

From the feedback I had from my interview - they wanted qualified vet nurses answering and triaging the initial calls, and that was done on a rota basis so there was always more than one person working that evening etc. I believe if your practice is signed up for it, you would ring their normal OOO number which directly transfers to Equicall's triaging as it were.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

There is nothing wrong with having a couple of vet practices in your phone. I have 2 horses and if I want them vaccinated I call one vet out & I use them for routine medication. I have another vet who specialises in 'loss of performance'. He is very good with lameness issues, medicating of joints in performance horses, obviously he can do the regular visits but he is a greater distance away from us. I normally load our horse up & take him to the practice. Both practices are aware of the other practices involvement in the care of the horses & they speak to each other if they need to. As far as I am aware there is no animosity between them or with me. I choose which vets I want to treat certain things on my horses. They are both paid as soon as they present a bill and they have no complaints.

 

[nagblagger]

I once had a junior vet out as an emergency, never met him before, cocky, arrogant just out of vet school type, good looking and knew it. He tried to impress me, using medical terminology, ignoring what i was saying and treating me like a complete idiot. I was old enough to be his mum and in the medical profession so knew what he was saying.
He then had a phone call from one of the partners and his demeanour changed very quickly, subdued, listened and we formulated a plan together. He was shocked i had all the partners phone numbers on 'speed dial' and. I had contacted them as i was not happy.
A valuable lesson was learn that night and he has now developed his interpersonal and professional skills. It's been nice to see him grow into his job.
The partners at the vets know i don't tolerate fools, (i probably have a warning on the notes animals ok, beware of the owner she bites !)

 

[Michen]

When I left the UK, and my vet (actually still speak to him a fair bit though). I wrote a lovely card and a left bottle of gin (know him well enough to know what he likes!). I can't remember exactly my words but it was along the lines of what a huge part of my horses life he'd been over the past x years and how much I appreciated finding a vet who was always so unequivocally on the side of the horse.

Think he really appreciated it. So yes, a card and a gift but the card means more and what you put in will mean a lot to him I'm sure.

 

[Fieldlife]

It's a specific company that provides OOO cover for many many practices, including some of the biggest ones around (Sussex Equine hospital do for example) across the South East, South, and South West, if not further north now. Equicall employ the vets directly, and then I presume practices pay Equicall to access their OOO cover. The website's a bit out of date but some info here: https://equicall.co.uk/

From the feedback I had from my interview - they wanted qualified vet nurses answering and triaging the initial calls, and that was done on a rota basis so there was always more than one person working that evening etc. I believe if your practice is signed up for it, you would ring their normal OOO number which directly transfers to Equicall's triaging as it were.

Ah I think my vets use a consortium arrangement of local vet practices that then works in a similar way. The OOO vets I have had out from other practices have been good.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

I have an ethical question about some of my local equine practices. There is an excellent local equine practice with an amazingly well equipped and staffed horsepital but some of the other local practices will refer cases (some urgent) to another (excellent) horsepital a considerable distance away. I wonder if they do this to discourage clients from changing practices by keeping their clients in the dark about the level of care available 'locally' to stop them from changing practices? Is it ethical to refer urgent cases to a practice maybe over an hour or more away when there is an equivalent option within 30 or so minutes? Thoughts?

 

[TheMule]

How does this work in practice? I thought when you registered with a vet they asked for your horse's records from the previous practice. Do both know that you're with the other?

I have an ethical question about some of my local equine practices. There is an excellent local equine practice with an amazingly well equipped and staffed horsepital but some of the other local practices will refer cases (some urgent) to another (excellent) horsepital a considerable distance away. I wonder if they do this to discourage clients from changing practices by keeping their clients in the dark about the level of care available 'locally' to stop them from changing practices? Is it ethical to refer urgent cases to a practice maybe over an hour or more away when there is an equivalent option within 30 or so minutes? Thoughts?

Could be lots of different reasons- often the practices are actually owned by the same company (eg CVS), or the vets are used to a working relationship so better note sharing etc, maybe better specialisms/ equipment/ diagnostics for that problem etc