Changing vets - a practical question

chaps89

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I have used my current vet for the 3 years that I've lived in the area and previously found him to be extraordinarily thorough & helpful. Had to use him this year (think my horse just likes ensuring they stay in business- it's bad when the vets pick up the phone & recognise your number/who you are!) & I just wasn't very happy with the service (won't go into details online, nothing against the vets skill or competence tho)

Been recommended a different vet who I would like to ask for some advice, but as horse isn't registered with them suspect that is a bit of a cheeky ask.
I am happy to re-register horse with this vets but the trouble is I am on good terms with current vets & also go down there on a regular basis as they have a training/breaking yard attached where I've been helping with a friends horse recently & intend to take lessons at, so occasionally bump into them.
Which means if I re-register, new vets will presumably want FCH off old vets & I don't want to upset/offend them.
I know it's my horse & I can use who I like to treat him but would just like to be tactful. Any ideas? Did wonder about saying I was just going to register him with another practice in case of emergencies, but I hate lying! Think I think about/worry about these things too much!
 

Izzwizz

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Yes they will need a clinical history for your horse if you change Vets, its standard practice. I really wouldnt worry about changing Vets, it is always a good idea to have a back up anyway.
 

Pearlsasinger

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You don't need to 'register' your horse with a vet practice. I had to ring a new vet when I couldn't get hold of my usual vet in an emergency, that practice came out, knowing nothing about the horse, except what I told them I wouldn'tchange vets in the middle of a course of tretment, except in dire circumstances but that is the only reason I can think of for passing notes around.
I have since used both practices and I know of several people who use more than 1 vet practice regularly.
 

Honey08

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I have changed vets, once with the horses, another time with the dogs, and never had records sent to new vets. Unless your horse has an ongoing issue or an existing condition, I can't really see them needing records. My horse's records will have annual boosters and the odd bump/mudrash treatment, nothing that would affect future treatments..

I would just ring the other vet and have a chat, even have them out before you make a decision and jump ship, perhaps.
 

Izzwizz

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I work for a Vets and if a new client registers we always ask if they are registered elsewhere so we can get their animals clinical history details. Many reasons for this are for example any allergies to medical products, previous illnesses and treatment involved. Maybe other Vets work differently but thats how we work...
 

ribbons

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I use more than one vet practice.

Its not usual to for a horses veterinary history to be forwarded to a new practice, in fact I think it's very un usual, and would only be done out of professional courtesy if requested by new practice and may well be declined.
 

Holly Hocks

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I've used two practices for my horses - even despite all the treatment and lots of conditions that my TB has I've never had a problem - in fact I've found it quite useful as the first practice, once they had a diagnosis from the hospital basically gave up on her and said more or less that she wasn't worth bothering with. The practice I have now had shed new light on things and seem more willing to try new things. My current practice has four equine vets - they are all good, but two are particularly great.

Like you OP - I ring up and whichever vet I speak to knows my voice and about my horses before I even ask anything!
 

Cinnamontoast

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I wanted to register with the RVC last week (they're at my yard all the time) but they refused because I also wanted to stay registered with my original vet. How come some people can use more than one practice?
 

Maesfen

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You don't need to 'register' your horse with a vet practice. I had to ring a new vet when I couldn't get hold of my usual vet in an emergency, that practice came out, knowing nothing about the horse, except what I told them I wouldn'tchange vets in the middle of a course of tretment, except in dire circumstances but that is the only reason I can think of for passing notes around.
I have since used both practices and I know of several people who use more than 1 vet practice regularly.

Same here.

CT, you just use the vet best suited to what needs doing, nothing sinister or underhand about it and I've never had a problem with them. ie; my friend vet does my jabs and anything that doesn't need emergency treatment; for emergencies I use the local practise and for anything to do with mares and foaling I'll use my other practise.
 
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Beau jangles

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I use 2 vet practices , the closest one to home for vaccinations only as cheaper for call out , the 2nd one is my main vet for all horsey problems ! The 2nd is an equine only practice.
The vets are both happy with this arrangement and means I have a back up vet if other vets are busy in emergencies.
 

chaps89

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Thanks for all the replies :)
Horse is already registered with 2 vets- 1 who do free call out days so I use them for vaccinations only but wouldn't like to use them for anything more, and my 'regular' practice.
The practice staff there know me & the horse, but the vet himself doesn't seem to know/remember who we are which has led to conflicting advice last time I spoke to him hence looking at changing vets (it is a small 1 man band practice) Horse does have ongoing health issues (arthritis in forefeet & gastro-intestinal problems) so it's not like vet doesn't see us often enough.
Hence why I feel new vet would probably need to see the vet history- new problem I suspect is something neurological tho so probably not related & I just want some advice over it but getting hold of current vet is not always easy hence why looking at alternative option.
Think I will just call the new vets I've been recommended and try to tread carefully without wanting to upset anyone! Plus it would probably help to have 2 vets I trust in case of an emergency (not happened yet but you never know) so that's possibly a route to go down if explanations are needed.
 

chestnut cob

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I have used a couple of different vets and never been asked who my previous vet is/was so that the new practise can have the clinical history. My normal vet is based quite a way from me, since I've moved out of their area. I would still go to them for investigative work as I can take horse up in the trailer, but I use someone local for routine stuff. I'd use the same local vet in an emergency too. When I called the local vet to book an appt for vacc's the first time, they didn't ask anything about the horse's history or who my usual vet is. They just asked for payment upfront as I was a new client. If I need advice I call my usual vet directly for a chat (so I usually call him when I need to know what to worm with next!); he doesn't mind as he's had enough money from my over the years and knows I'll take the pony up to him in the event of a problem.
 

elijahasgal

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I am registered with one big practice, only problem with that is I dont like a lot of the vets, but do like some very much to make it worth it. Can mean in an emergency that I get someone I dont really respect out. But can also mean that there is someone there who specialises in most problems.
My thing is I like to ask a lot of questions, and understand what they are doing, and I dont like things done for the sake of it, that some vets seem to like to do.
I like vets that know horses, not who are scared of them and cant read them.
(plenty of them about!)
May be getting the number soon of a local one man band I have been told about and registering there as well!!
 

ShadowFlame

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Mine's registered with 2...

First one I registered him with when I had him. Second one was recommended by my EDT when we needed sedation, I went with her recommendation, he did jabs while he was there, since had the 2nd one out twice to top up jabs.

Not sure which one I'd use if it were anything "big", though...
 
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