Unrealistic expectations from the vet? Opinions welcome!!

[Switchthehorse]

Keen to get other people's opinions on I guess the 'level of service' you expect from your vet.

My vet used to be brilliant, but in the past 12 months seems to have lost a lot of focus, well on his daily job, but then I am not sure if I am expecting too much from him.

I have two horses, both of whom have had unusual conditions in the past 18 months, hepatitis twice and contracted tendons/ballerina syndrome. So quite easily memorable.

I kind of expect my vet to follow up with me, to check how the 'patient' is doing, if something critical like hepatitis.... not heard for over 6 weeks since she went onto steroids. I thought maybe a follow up?? Check Lami hasn't set in etc?

I emailed about the fact I couldn't get a supplement and asked if either of 2 were any good. His secretary called me to say that one of them was 'very good'. Vet didn't bother to reply. No idea on dosage, whether i should stop other supplements etc. Nothing.

I am forking out £1000's because my insurance has run out, and yet not the slightest word from him. I did end up using a different vet for the contracted tendons as I wasn't getting the support I needed from him, and approached him about it and told him - and raised the lack of follow up etc (my 1yo was on box rest for 3 months, pumped full of pain killers and i am not sure he even checked on her once... outside of one appointment where he was literally with me for 3 mins because he was late for another appt (having been over an hour late for me)) we have a lot of horses on our yard - its not like he is never there, he could have popped his head over her box surely!?? Anyway when I raised it he simply said 'i deal with a lot of horses i can't remember all of them'... contracted tendons and hepatitis are not exactly run of the mill are they!???

So I was wondering what level of service you get from your vets. Do you expect a follow up? Do you get all communication from their secretary or do they answer emails themselves? Do you have to 'self medicate'?? Because i am doing a lot of my dosage via google rather than via prescription!!!

Maybe i am just a wingeing minnie and actually i should realise my every day dobbins are just not that important to anyone else!!??

 

[martlin]

I have to say, your vet sounds very much like the one I decided to ''sack'', I'm now very happy with the vets I use, the communication is great, they remember the animals and frequently ask about their well being.

 

[ester]

My vet answers emails himself. We have had quite a lot of follow up communication recently as we have been treating a suspected carcinoma conservatively and monitoring progress. They always ask to be updated (rather than ringing themselves) too.

 

[Spring Feather]

I don't expect follow-up from any vet, however all the vets I work with always follow-up with me and I agree with you that it does show a level of care when they show an interest in how your animal is recovering. I don't know if they do it with other clients though. I have a lot of horses here and although we don't see the vets much out of breeding season I do know them all very well and have almost a 'friend' type of relationship with them all. I do a lot of vet work on my own so I do have a fairly fully stocked vet room here and the vets supply me with whatever I need. I wonder if it might just be how well you know them as to how interested they are in what's going on with you and your animals?

 

[smellsofhorse]

My vets are very good and know you personally and will make a call and check.
They really have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Although I don't expect this.
I know how busy they are, what hours they work and what hassle they receive.

If you need to speak to your vet, call them.
If you think your horse needs to be seen, then make an appointment.

Should they really have to reply to an email, when the secretary could?
No.
Should vet call in to check outside of an appointment?
No.
I think you are asking to much from a very busy professional.
You are a customer and pay for their service so you shouldn't expect something for nothing.

 

[maree t]

My vets are great with my run of the mill ponies, I lost one of mine suddenly and the other one went into shock. They were great and so supportive when I was so distressed. He had obviously been thinking about my poor boy when he stopped in the lane to discuss it again. He was on his way to another call but I told him that one of my dogs had nearly died after being bitten by a snake , he then realised that was probably what happened with my lad. His liver function wasnt great from previous neglect so his body didnt cope with it.
I hadnt expected it to still be bugging him .
I have different vets for my domestic critters and the outdoor lot. Wouldnt swap either as I think I get great service and care from them. I think I would look around if you arent happy. Hope our luck improves

 

[Enfys]

I think it varies from Vet to Vet, what sort of practice it is, and indeed, what sort of person they themselves are, to some I think it becomes merely a job, to others it is a vocation. Which one we get is luck of the draw.

In the UK I was with a busy general practice and unless a horse of mine was literally dying there was a certain Vet that I refused to have, because, in his own words "I hate bloody horses, the lot of them should be shot" On the other hand there was a fantastic horse chap there who everyone wanted.

They are incredibly busy people and I would not be offended if follow up calls etc were made by Office staff, or not at all.

I ran into my Vet the other day in the grocery store, after general chit chat (he is a real character) he asked how the latest casualty was (the 'stitch job' - can't expect him to recall names) how the mare was (that lost the foal) and then I mentioned that I'd call him later in the week to discuss something. "Come into my office" he said, and we had a consultation there and then, in the middle of the vegetable section, on the pros and cons of gelding a mature horse!

My Vet is my God. I am incredibly fortunate that he took me on his books - because he can, and does, pick and choose his clients.

Like SF I rarely see him outside of breeding/foaling season, and I keep a lot of stuff here that he supplies me with, but when I run into problems he is brilliant. He ALWAYS makes follow up calls, and asks to be updated.

With poor little Freya this summer he was here two or three times a day for a fortnight, once or twice he had left and then came back because he'd thought of something else that might work, and a couple of times he called in to check on her as he started his day before 7am or when he was passing by, fortunately he lives minutes away from me, I have no problems about him coming in when he is passing by, and we have the kind of relationship that isn't based purely on monetary reward (he gave me a massive discount on Freya) he genuinely cares about all his patients and although his practise covers hundreds of miles and many hundreds of horses he remembers them. He was extremely upset when he euthanized her, even though we knew it was inevitable, but God! Did that man fight for her!

 

[YorksG]

It does very much depend on the vet IME. We had a brilliant horse vet (also used the practice for the small animals). He knew all our horses, remembered their ailments, came out to one of the girls on his evening off, was a real horseman and we trusted and respected his opinion. He retired and sold the practice, which became small animal only . We now use a large practice, you are lucky if the same vet comes out twice in a row, some of the vets are excellent, some considerably less so, one we will not have on the yard unless he is the only vet available in a dire emergency! The large practice seems entirely money driven (to the point of charging for items which we were going to have, but the horse was euthenased before collection of the drug!) and we now check itemised bills very very carefully.

 

[Carefreegirl]

My vets are very good. On the times I've had to take T-bag in they just look up. Say "hello, put her in her usual stable" though maybe that's not a good thing ???

I'm the only one in my yard who uses them as I keep her at a Stud rather than a livery yard but if I bump into them out and about they'll always ask how she is. If they feel a follow up call is needed they'll ring me when they say. They cover a massive area so I wouldn't expect a follow up call 'just for the sake of it'