Specific vet within a practise...

[SpotsandBays]

Do any of you request to have a specific vet within a practise rather than them just send whoever? Is it possible and or unreasonable to request this?
This is not a case of me not thinking that the other people in the practise aren’t knowledgable enough, but more of a case of i prefer how a specific person deals with things, and also explains things/breaks them down into dummy speak for me. Or am I just being picky? I wouldn’t be too bothered about just general injections or checkups but for more invasive things like castrations (in this instance) etc.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If its a pre-planned appointment (not just jabs etc), then yes I try to have same vet each time for continuity.
That said, one is a dental specialist, so if one of the fuzzies has a particular need then he'll get asked to do this.
If an emergency, then any one from the practice (as its all equine only) will be welcomed.

 

[SpotsandBays]

If its a pre-planned appointment (not just jabs etc), then yes I try to have same vet each time for continuity.
That said, one is a dental specialist, so if one of the fuzzies has a particular need then he'll get asked to do this.
If an emergency, then any one from the practice (as its all equine only) will be welcomed.

I totally agree with you when it comes to both emergency, and if a vet is specialised. It’s nice to hear I’m not the only person who wants to see a familiar face!

 

[Red-1]

No, I have a named vet unless it is for routine jabs, but then I usually travel there if it is for investigation of something as they have better facilities and my favourite vet does not leave the hospital to visit.

 

[babymare]

I used to ask for specific vet for my mares annual check up of eyes etc but when she had colic I was grateful for any from practice.

 

[SpotsandBays]

No, I have a named vet unless it is for routine jabs, but then I usually travel there if it is for investigation of something as they have better facilities and my favourite vet does not leave the hospital to visit.

Do you specify each time that you want to see that vet or is it put on some record for you?

 

[SpotsandBays]

I used to ask for specific vet for my mares annual check up of eyes etc but when she had colic I was grateful for any from practice.

Yes when it comes to emergency id take whoever!

 

[JanetGeorge]

I have 2 vets I want - from a very large practice. I know them - and I have them trained, lol. In an emergency, then obviously you have to take what you get. But - today for example - I rang to arrange a vet visit to 3 horses with a cough. Asked when either James or Andrew would be available. They weren't this afternoon or tomorrow but I COULD have had A. N. Other this afternoon. I wasn't worried enough to rush it. It is certainlt NOT equine flu - horses are well enough in themselves, no raised temp and eating well. And they all have other paddock or stable companions without a cough. So the vet I trust coming on Thursday - obviously horses won't work until they're seen.

 

[LaurenBay]

Yes, when my mare had ongoing lameness issues I wanted the same vet each time. Otherwise a new vet would not be able to see if she had improved from the last visit.

 

[Red-1]

Do you specify each time that you want to see that vet or is it put on some record for you?

I specify. I was once en route for a specific appointment and the surgery rang to say they were swapping vets as my vet was doing a colic surgery, and I said that no, I would either wait when I got there for him to finish or go home and book a different day. They let me wait for a few hours. Horse was an enenter so happy to stand on the box.

I would not try to choose for an emergency.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

There are some I quite simply will NOT have for anything because they are completely incompetent at even the basics - one couldn't fill in a ticky box piece of paper and managed to microchip their own finger rather than the pony in question ...

In general I don't mind though, I have dealt with enough vets through work and have no qualms telling them to stop talking gobble de gook and to speak in plain English.

 

[oldie48]

I try to have the same vet for important things like teeth and vettings or something like a lameness work up. For vaccs I take the horse in and am happy for anyone to do it. In an emergency I'll take whoever is nearest or if I couldn't get my favourite vet within a few days for something not routine then I ask for one of the partners. I use a big equine hospital so there are several partners, a number of very experienced vets who are not partners and always a few who are quite inexperienced so I can generally be a bit picky.

 

[SpotsandBays]

There are some I quite simply will NOT have for anything because they are completely incompetent at even the basics - one couldn't fill in a ticky box piece of paper and managed to microchip their own finger rather than the pony in question ...

In general I don't mind though, I have dealt with enough vets through work and have no qualms telling them to stop talking gobble de gook and to speak in plain English.

Oh my god. I can’t believe they put it in their finger 😂. Don’t get me wrong usually im all for questions but after this person sort of scared me abit talking about things that I didn’t think were on the table yet, my brain just went to poo! Also they seemed in a hurry to get away so thought I would let them. I have emailed the one I would like to deal with my questions.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Yes, If its lameness related I will ALWAYS ask for one specific vet. If its jabs or anything like that I'm not fussed.

I just call and say, Can I book 'so and so' to come and see my gelding please?

 

[Moon River]

Yes, all bar one vet at the practice I use are great but I always ask for a particular one even for same day appointments if she's available as she's used to dealing with my PITA horse so I don't have to explain him to whoever turns up and she knows both horses' histories so I have great continuity of care.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I always ask for one named vet within my practice; who my horses have had to see to them for years, and who's professionalism I admire without question.

I had this vet to do the "job" last autumn when I had my two oldies PTS, we did them both at the same time, and an occasion like this is where you are really glad to be able to put the arrangements in a capable and compassionate pair of hands.

Unfortunately this vet won't be around for ever, it is highly likely that in the next few years he will be retiring. It will be a huge loss when that happens, they just don't make 'em like this any longer

 

[Velcrobum]

When my boy did a tendon badly the same vet treated him throughout. If I want a specific vet I just ask. The practice did have a locum who having visited once on a zone visit I subsequently declined thereafter as did a lot of clients apparently.

 

[Griffin]

I am similar to EKW, I would prefer to specify who I would not turn up! The majority of vets at the practice I use are excellent but there is one who has no idea how to handle horses. Obviously though, if it was an emergency, I would take anyone.

 

[oldie48]

On the rare occasions that I have had an emergency I am always relieved to see one of the more experienced vets turn up but I am also very aware that vets have to get experience so I try not to be prejudiced. I had a 16.2 TB that managed to have a choke that wouldn't clear and needed tubing. my heart sank when one of new vets turned up who was all of 5' nothing but she was great. Stood on an upturned bucket so she could reach, she did a lovely job with a horse that was, to be fair, a bit unhappy. She knew how to handle horses, was calm and confident and got the job done. However, it's why I use a specialist equine vet practice, they know how to handle big fit horses in distress unlike some of the vets in mixed practices.

 

[milliepops]

I'll take anyone for routine one off stuff, i.e. things i've scheduled for a zone day, (vaccinations or routine teeth) because they are all good vets and you don't get a choice if you want a zone visit.

When we've had more serious things that have started with an emergency call out then I've stuck with whoever came out on the emergency visit, for continuity. I know that the vets will consult each other if they feel one of the others is more specialised.

For other stuff, I would choose one of the vets who was specialised in the area I needed and wait for an appointment with them. I had the lameness/ortho specialist recently for Salty's work up, it meant we had to wait a few more days than I'd have liked but it was something that would wait and I wanted the top guy.

I'm with an equine-only practice.

 

[meleeka]

Another who asks for ‘my’ vet. There’s a couple at my practice who I wouldn’t particularly trust or who haven’t got the best bedside manner. The one I usually have knows me and my ponies well so it makes sense to have them.

I also have a preferred vet for my dog and would always ask for an appointment with them (obviously in an emergency I’m happy with who I’m given).

 

[ester]

yup, I've known my vet for 20+ years, he knows how I think about stuff and we can have a decent discussion about pros/cons etc. I like to point out F's lovely bare hooves, he tells me he doesn't think we should chop his willy off .

jabs etc I don't care but ongoing issues I will wait until he is free.

In the time we were elsewhere I was happy for either of the two 'lameness' vets to attend for ongoing stuff but kept the same one for the same issue (especially when looking for pretty subtle changes)

ETA Frank's willy not the vets!

 

[Araby]

One of mine will have any vet, but it's nice to have the same one for an ongoing condition, but not essential in his case. However for routine things he'll have whatever vet is available on our 'free visit day'. The other is a diva and not good with vets, but have found one who can actually give him his annual jab without a two hour rearing display, so for anything for him I'll pay to have her out, she's great with him, understands the limitations she has to work with and is pretty good with me too!

 

[milliepops]

ETA Frank's willy not the vets!

Lol!!

 

[fabbydo]

I have a specific vet. My girl is very complex and this vet has saved her life on more than one occasion. If she can't come, she speaks to the attending vet during the visit and advises what would be best. I even have her for routine vaccinations as I have become a bit ( well, a lot!) paranoid about something going wrong. For my boy, I have whoever is available. I like to see this as proof I haven't gone totally loopy!

 

[criso]

There are some I quite simply will NOT have for anything because they are completely incompetent at even the basics - one couldn't fill in a ticky box piece of paper and managed to microchip their own finger rather than the pony in question ...

At least they're easily identifiable now.

I use biggish practice with an attached hospital and there's a couple I prefer to use. I just say when I call up "is J around later this week for a visit" I did feel guilty about using one of the senior vets for jabs but I use it as an opportunity to catch up on a few things and he knows my boys' history and he doesn't seem to mind.

 

[piglet2001]

I use a mixed practice for jabs and teeth but travel over 2hrs to see a specialist orthopaedic vet for any lameness. I trust him. They have more tools in there box so to speak in diagnostic equipment and drugs. He sees many horses a day with complicated lameness and performance issues. The local farm vets just don’t compare, they can’t. Weirdly they are also more pricey!! Emergency’s I would of course have them!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I used to have it written in the notes that I did NOT want to see particular vet, he knew exactly why. Then we had to have in for 2 emergencies, quite close together. I still wasn't impressed but he did the job (just, in one case). Now I usually specify which vet I want to see. I did get an excellent new vet when there had been some sort of mix-up at the surgery and the vet I was expecting wasn't working that afternoon. A different vet came out to my Cushings mare who had got very fed up of having bloods taken and being injected in general. He was brilliant with her and she smiled nicely at him - I don' think she felt the jab.

 

[Mule]

At least they're easily identifiable now.

 

[Mule]

There are some I quite simply will NOT have for anything because they are completely incompetent at even the basics - one couldn't fill in a ticky box piece of paper and managed to microchip their own finger rather than the pony in question ...

I would have collapsed from laughter