How to tell my veterinary practice

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Dancing_Diva

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That I don't like a certain vet and would rather I not be called back regarding anything by this particular vet in future unless an emergency?

I'm rubbish at these sort of things. I have no reasons veterinary wise to not want this vet, just in general as a person I personally just do not like them. I'm aware some will probably say I'm stupid, of course in an emergency it's a different story and I'd deal with this particular vet (they've saved my horses life once before) but at end of day I pay to have the vet out and like to feel relaxed and comfortable speaking to the vet attending.

I spoke to this particular vet today and it's left me feeling rubbish, in a bad mood soon as I knew it was this certain vet I was wanting to speak to another vet straight away but I'm too polite to have said anything! Want to contact my practice tomorrow to ask to speak with a different vet, I'd rather be honest with them about everything as have a good relationship with my practice. Just don't know how to put it to them?

Any help appreciated.
 
I always ask for a particular vet....they soon get the message. If someone I don't like is offered I just ask for the one I want on a different day.
 
I have sympathy with this. A senior vet at my practice kicked my homebred youngster on her majorly resectioned foot in a fit of temper :eek3:.

Since then, I have always asked to speak to or call out other vets from the practice, but I was still grateful when grumpy vet turned out on a OOH colic call for another horse, so it is wise never to ban any vet from the premises. Just ask for other vets by name when you phone in.
 
I just insist on an appointment with a specific vet - I'm sure it drives the receptionists mad, but I really rate the vet in question and he seems quite happy to treat my dogs (in this case). I have actually said on one occasion 'I will see anyone but X' - who happens to be the senior vet in the practice - there was a momentary pause from the receptionist but otherwise that was it :)
 
I know exactly how you feel. One of the vets in my practice always come across as disinterested and condescending. I know I am not the only person who thinks this as two other people have told me the same.
If it was an emergency or routine (vacs) visit I will put up with that person. If it was something non-urgent I would ask the receptionist to make an appointment when X or X could come out.
I think any practice would rather keep your business and no offence would be taken. Be brave!
 
I changed vet in the end the only one I rated left and I really did not like the partner of the practice, I am really happy with the vet I use now it was the best thing did.
 
Unfortunately my fabulous vet who I used for everything left my practice a week ago :(

I asked to speak to one of the directors this morning but he was so busy today I was offered a call back from one of three others. Decided to have a certain one of them call me back, so the disappointment when I heard this vets voice over the phone was huge!

I'd never ban any vet from my premises as in an emergency I'll use anyone to save my horses life whether I like them or not, their all great at their jobs at my vets. Just would prefer that if I ask for a call back from a vet for a chat regarding something this particular vet didn't call me.

Will have to stick my brave pants on tomorrow and call them. Now just in a dilemma as to what to decide to do regarding my mare :/ anyone have any experience with abdomal discomfort/change in behaviour and would like to PM me at all? I'd be very grateful.
 
There is a virus going around that is similar to peritinitus, my gelding is just getting over it. Could be your mare has it.
 
I'd just tell them, it's not uncommon for people to request a specific vet or even to request not to see certain vets. There are probably other people who love the vet who you dislike! They'll want to keep their clients happy, and if that means you don't see one vet, then it's not the end of the world!
 
Dancing_Diva said:
in an emergency it's a different story and I'd deal with this particular vet (they've saved my horses life once before) but at end of day I pay to have the vet out and like to feel relaxed and comfortable speaking to the vet attending.

Any help appreciated.
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Mmmm. This reminds me of a vet who used to be around my area about 45 yrs ago, many people in the Exeter/East Devon and greater area (racing yards in particular) will remember him (name Sam Loughbridge). He was a brilliant horse vet to the point of genius and his opinion was widely sought, unsurpassed many would have said, but his "bedside manner" and way of dealing with people was very frequently abrupt to the point of rudeness! He put holy terror into many a Trainer/owner/yard owner in those days believe me.

OP, I wonder, just wonder, whether this is the case with this vet to which you refer. You say that he has saved your horse's life in the past, and yet you can't stand them and utterly detest the person!!

He/she sounds like a bleddi good vet TBH, and whilst they obviously have no people-skills whatsoever, I think it may be of benefit if you could stand back, shelve your personal dislike, and see the broader picture. I believe it is also a similar situation in human medicine: I have it on good authority that many of the best surgeons are absolute BarStewards to the junior doctors and nurses under them and put the fear of god up everyone.

I think you may need to understand what is going on here, I don't actually believe this vet has any intention of deliberately being rude to you! My guess is they are like this with everyone so I don't think you need to take it personally.

It would be a great shame if you reject out-of-hand what is very likely an excellent vet, purely because you dislike their brusqueness of manner; for the sake of your horse, you just might have to take their attitude on the chin and just grin and bear it....... ???
 
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MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Mmmm. This reminds me of a vet who used to be around my area about 45 yrs ago, many people in the Exeter/East Devon will remember him (Sam Loughbridge). He was a brilliant horse vet, unsurpassed many would have said, but his "bedside manner" and way of dealing with people was very in-your-face and abrupt to the point of rudeness. He put holy terror in many an owner in those days and when he walked into a yard everyone had to stand to attention!

OP, I wonder, just wonder, whether this is the case with this vet to which you refer. You say that he has saved your horse's life in the past, and yet you can't stand them and utterly detest the person!!

He/she sounds like a bleddi good vet TBH, and whilst they obviously have no people-skills whatsoever, I think it may be of benefit if you could stand back, shelve your personal dislike, and see the broader picture. I believe it is also a similar situation in human medicine: I have it on good authority that many of the best surgeons are absolute BarStewards to the junior doctors and nurses under them and put the fear of god up everyone.

I think you may need to understand what is going on here, I don't actually believe this vet has any intention of deliberately being rude to you! My guess is they are like this with everyone so I don't think you need to take it personally.

It would be a great shame if you reject out-of-hand what is very likely an excellent vet, purely because you dislike their brusqueness of manner; for the sake of your horse, you just might have to take their attitude on the chin and just grin and bear it....... ???
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This vets attitude is fine, friendly not rude or anything. I don't utterly detest the vet I just not keen on them and would rather not speak to them if I can avoid it.. Any vet could have saved my horse, she had severe colic just was this vet on call who came out.
 
Sorry OP for the digression but OMG Mijods, I am one who remembers Sam Loughbridge! Brilliant but very cranky. Then there was also Don Attenborough from a rival practice, who was also briliant but he had the right bedside manner, and charged accordingly...
 
Lévrier;13547547 said:
I just insist on an appointment with a specific vet - I'm sure it drives the receptionists mad, but I really rate the vet in question and he seems quite happy to treat my dogs (in this case). I have actually said on one occasion 'I will see anyone but X' - who happens to be the senior vet in the practice - there was a momentary pause from the receptionist but otherwise that was it :)
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I have said "Please don't send x", I certainly won't have him for routine stuff! Tbf though, he did come out to a sheep emergency one Saturday evening and was fine. I think he has either grown up in general, or just grown out of showing off to every female he meets. He lost us a foal because he was showing off the a student who was seeing practice, many years ago. I do have a favourite vet, who I ask for by name on occasions.
 
Mmmm....... so my next question is: how is your horse when this particular vet is around them??

I.e. does your horse seem relaxed? Or not?? Does this vet seem to unsettle them more than other vets?? OK so I know that with some horses the vet has only got to stroll into the yard for the horse to be stressed and suspicious - my great cobby loon being a very good example of this.

But if this vet seems to visibly stress your horse more than other vets at this same practice, then I think that might guide your future actions; horses are VERY canny and know who they're happy to have around them.

I would be guided by your horse's reaction TBH.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Mmmm....... so my next question is: how is your horse when this particular vet is around them??

I.e. does your horse seem relaxed? Or not?? Does this vet seem to unsettle them more than other vets?? OK so I know that with some horses the vet has only got to stroll into the yard for the horse to be stressed and suspicious - my great cobby loon being a very good example of this.

But if this vet seems to visibly stress your horse more than other vets at this same practice, then I think that might guide your future actions; horses are VERY canny and know who they're happy to have around them.

I would be guided by your horse's reaction TBH.
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This vets only seen one of my horses once alone, the one she attended as a colic emergency late at night. The other two times shes seen one of my ponies she only assisted my usual vet of choice but didn't do much so cannot really comment on how my horse reacted to her as she wasn't really hands on with it. So hard one.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Sorry OP for the digression but OMG Mijods, I am one who remembers Sam Loughbridge! Brilliant but very cranky. Then there was also Don Attenborough from a rival practice, who was also briliant but he had the right bedside manner, and charged accordingly...
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Yeahhhh.... that's right, OMG yes I DO remember Attenborough, he was St David's man wasn't he? And yes, he did charge a fortune, picked up many of Sam Loughbridge's disgruntled clients. The thing I appreciated about Sam Loughbridge was that he wouldn't give you any Bull's Excretia, he'd tell it like it was and would give an honest opinion.

Sorry OP, we digress. Apologies!
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Yeahhhh.... that's right, OMG yes I DO remember Attenborough, he was St David's man wasn't he? And yes, he did charge a fortune, picked up many of Sam Loughbridge's disgruntled clients. The thing I appreciated about Sam Loughbridge was that he wouldn't give you any Bull's Excretia, he'd tell it like it was and would give an honest opinion.

Sorry OP, we digress. Apologies!
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It's ok :)
 
There are four or five equine vets at the practice I use and there's one I am not particularly keen on. He's perfectly pleasant and I have no reason to doubt his competence in most ways but he's a bit wet around the horses. Seems rather wary of them to the point where they lack confidence in him when he's handling them, which has in the past made it difficult to get things done. Perfectly happy for him to come for vaccinations and sedation and things but my old boy wasn't the easiest so when I needed to book appointments for things like lameness investigations that might involve things like nerve blocks that I knew my horse would find difficult I would say something like 'x or y vet has seen him before so it would be great if we could do it when they are available'. I know I'm not the only person to have the same issues so I think the receptionist knew exactly what I was getting at and I never got the feeling there was any offence caused. Fortunately my current horse is a lot more obliging so probably won't be such an issue if this particular vet has to treat him!
 
Dancing_Diva said:
Ah see she's bright, eating, temp is spot on normal it's just the touching that's become a huge problem.
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Is she acting like it hurts when her skin is touched? Has she had treatment with trimethoprim recently? A friends horse got sepsis and was treated with large doses of antibiotics, and recovered but reacted as if he was being burned when he was touched. I remember researching it for her and it was a rare complication in horses with lowered immune systems given large doses of antibiotics, particularly trimethoprim. It took about a year to fully disappear.
 
I hope your mare gets the necessary treatment if required and gets better soon.

We had an issue with a vet at a practice once. Unable to diagnosis illness (another vet did) and made a whopping great hole in another horse's foot that made it so lame it could barely walk. We refused to pay the bill for that particular vet and when we phoned up we always requested a certain vet. Practices soon get a feel of whom their clients prefer and won't be surprised by requests.

Of course in an emergency I wouldn't refuse a vet onto the yard.
 
Just next time you make an appointment ask them what vet you have booked and ask for your request to be added to your file. It's pretty standard, they won't even bat an eyelid.
 
ycbm said:
Is she acting like it hurts when her skin is touched? Has she had treatment with trimethoprim recently? A friends horse got sepsis and was treated with large doses of antibiotics, and recovered but reacted as if he was being burned when he was touched. I remember researching it for her and it was a rare complication in horses with lowered immune systems given large doses of antibiotics, particularly trimethoprim. It took about a year to fully disappear.
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I've got a video I'll try and upload later. If I run my hand along her stomach/round her flanks and across her stifle she's cow kicking out ears pinned back trying to bite, pawing the ground and eventually will spin on me. She's worse on the right side then the left. Other then a IV jab of pain relief two weeks ago from vet she's not had anything. I can touch her without issues anywhere else, altho hind quarters are becoming a problem too very slowly.

She's not acting tickalish and in her whole 8yrs up until two weeks ago touching these areas has never been a problem. I have noticed she's got a cut on the right hind it's about an inch deep and has a large flap of skin I can lift up! It's got no heat in it but surely this wouldn't cause a problem like I'm having?!
 
I'm a vet receptionist, and loads of our clients express a preference about who they want to see, in fact we quite often ask them when they are booking if there's anyone they particularly want. They'll often say who they don't want as well - as others have said, we don't bat an eye, and we don't ask questions. I guess if we noticed that a particular vet was frequently being rejected we'd flag it up to the practice manager, but it's never happened.
 
Ditto the others.

I've since changed practices as I moved closer to another, but I used to not ask for a particular vet in my old practice for day-to-day things. He was a good vet, but he was used to dealing with performance horses and would not only remind you about this at every opportunity would make derogatory remarks about my 14hh hairy, native pony.

As a paying client, I don't see why I should have had to put up with that - so I used to request another vet & in fact, we normally used to get a lovely vet that appreciated a hairy!

Of course, in an emergency, I'd use whigh ever vet was on duty.
 
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This is why I use my vet. He's a one man band so I know when I make an appointment I'll see him. He knows my horses, knows me and knows I like every single detail. He knows my friend doesn't 'do' medical so just tells her what to do to make the horse better. Knowing the client is sometimes as useful as knowing the horse!
 
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