Vets and choice ?

[abina]

I am extremely lucky in that, the area I am based in, has a wealth of equine specfic practices within 40 mile radius.

When I need to call a vet I tend to call a specfic vet from a practice that I personally think is better for the condition that requires vet attention, or is an area of personal interest for that vet; example - lameness would be a different vet, than another that I would prefer if the horse had gone down with colic.

When discussing this with another well respected horse person they seem to find this a bit strange, that I did not use one vet for all horses and problems and to keep some continunity. I use five different vets that I all know by name, and have used over the past 10 yrs to treat my own horses and horses in my care.

How does everybody else organise their vet care ? Do you run along similar lines to me? or do you stick with one just vet practice ? do you always have the same vet or just who happens to be on call ? ( except dire Emergency calls)

But then I only ever use one Farrier and wouldn't let anyone else touch their feet !!

 

[jenz87]

We also use a few vets depending on what we need them for, as we are lucky enough to have a few equine specialist vet centres in our area.
However, one we will no longer touch after a terrible experience a few years ago!!

Also they all have different facilities and specialties, so i cant see why you would stick religiously to one vet, well of course unless you had no choice as im sure some people arent lucky enough for a choice!!

We generally request a certain vet for different tasks, if it is a standard flu / tet jab we generally get who ever they choose, but if we are having teeth rasped, or the like we request certain vets depending on what we need!!
If it was an emergency, we would call a certain vet, but if he/she was not available of course we would take an alternative, as dont have time to be picky!!

Deff only use one farrier, although considering a new one at the moment!!

 

[Silmarillion]

As far as I've ever heard, it's normal to have just one. Some people thought I was odd, not having my local vet. I'll use them for colic as they're much closer and have a surgery, but nothing else - not even jabs. I'd get too confused with more than two!

I think people liken it to their GP where you have to have one, and forget they are the customer with vets and can pay who they like.

 

[AmyMay]

I use an equine only practice and have full confidence in whichever vet comes out - usually 1 of 2.

Can't be doing with chopping and changing. At the end of the day you want a vet to know you and your horse's history (whatever that may be).

 

[Alphamare]

There are only two vets (different practices) that I would use here. I won't even use the other vets in the practice. Am fussy

 

[amage]

i would be a bit like you...our large animal practice has a fabulous vet who is not equine specific by an means but very very good on general things. We use them for all vaccinations etc and keep them abreast of any major specifics that another vet is treating as they are our closest and thus emergency vet. They are regularly in the yard as treat the cows too. Then have an amazing lameness specialist who is a genius. She is also a friend so would tend to bounce things off her for advice too. Finally breeding specialist who looked after Dol while she was in foal and after. Not using him much at the mo as no breeding but all ours are sound and happy to communicate with each other etc.