Vet fees - we knew this didnt we.?

Thank goodness we still have several independent vets locally. No, they're not perfect but we actually have a choice of 4 equine vet practices within travelling distance, 3 of them have 'horsepitals' and multiple branches for small animals. Then there is at least one other independent small animal multi-branch practice. The equine practices also treat farm animals.
 
Thank goodness we still have several independent vets locally. No, they're not perfect but we actually have a choice of 4 equine vet practices within travelling distance, 3 of them have 'horsepitals' and multiple branches for small animals. Then there is at least one other independent small animal multi-branch practice. The equine practices also treat farm animals.


I have two brand new small animal ones just opened, one close, the other 20 minutes away. . Young vets in each case, not prepared to kowtow to corporate employers. Standard consultation is 30 minutes.
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I have two brand new small animal ones just opened, one close, the other 20 minutes away. . Young vets in each case, not prepared to kowtow to corporate employers. Standard consultation is 30 minutes.
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A friend who lives about 20 miles away, became very disillusioned with the corporate which took over the practice that she had used long-term. She was very pleased to find a new independent husband and wife team were opening within the area. She has 4 dogs, so that is quite a bit of business transferred.
 
Our local vets have sold out and become corporate ones. We have independent equine vets and another for our sheep. I could take the dogs to them but just not close enough so for now we stick with our current one but not as loyal as I was.
 
Sometimes you also have to dig quite deep to find out if your local vet is a corporate one or not. My small animal practice was setup and owned by a husband and wife but a couple of years ago they sold to IVC. The marketing blurb now talks of 'family run' rather than 'family owned' and I can't say that it has changed for the better. The vet I usually see if very disillusioned and feels that she is now just there to generate income.
 
It’s been obvious for a while now hasn’t it? Higher prices, lower standards and worse service.

We’ve recently moved our two back to a mixed farm practice rather than the equine specialists we’d been with for about 15 years as they’d sold out a couple of years ago and the quality of the vets and the work they were doing was becoming worse and worse; all the decent vets left in a hurry.
 
When last of our horses was sold, I called at the vets to tell them new owners had permission to ask for vet records. The daughter of the main vet said oh I suppose we will loose you now. I said why, do I have to move , I had 4 dogs and a few cats. .her face lit up and said no. We want you to stay . I asked why she thought I would leave a loyal reliable vets, and then told me a large corporation had just aquired 4 local vets in local towns. And we’re actively trying to get their business. Happy to say , I went on social media and told all my horsey friends to go to my vets
 
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