Comments on: What makes a veterinarian ‘good’ or even ‘great’?

By: Barbara A. Albright

Barbara A. Albright — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:10:41 +0000

When I relocated 25+ years ago, I searched for a clinic and vet closer to my home. I went to 3 with 3 different pets and observed. I chose a fairly new practice run by a compassionate, brilliant,skilled,reasonable,and available 24/7 veterinarian. Ironically, this vet lost his license because of a “vaccine” issue that he would have been lauded for in this current day. A concurrent search for a “breeder-show-C-section, and emergency available vet” recommended by other show breeders led me to a clinic in close proximity (to me and the former clinic).

What I failed to observe, were the suble changes that took place over the next decade that ultimately led to a veterinary business that went into the “toilet”, literally.

I respectfully submit that affiliations, education, or participation in continuing education programs are not meaningful, guarantee anything, nor should be relied upon for choosing anything. At least that is my experience in the “Live Free or Die” slogan- state of New Hampshire.

If anyone would like to discern and form some opinions on veterinary care, you are welcome and encouraged to visit my web site “Pocket’s Story from New Hampshire” or http://walnut-hill.bravehost.com , all of my contact information is posted, and please feel free to do so.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:11:57 +0000

I am in the process of changing vets because the vet I went to for years decided that breeding a litter (from a dam dx’d with Addisons) was more important than the helath of the bitch. These show people put their egos before animals. I have the option of seeing another vet in the clinic, but I don’t want any of my hard earned money going to support him in any kind of a trickle down effect. I vote with my dollars. I don’t like what he did, so I and my dollars are going elsewhere.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:24:51 +0000

Emily,

Neither Christie nor I remembered having seen you mention it, and I only noticed it because of your IP addy (which shows up on our behind-the-scenes blog software).

We’re delighted to have you posting. We just like other readers to know that you’re at the AVMA, so they can understand your views in context if need be.

By: emily

emily — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:58:33 +0000

Keith, if you mean that I am employed by the AVMA I wasn’t aware it was a secret.

By: Dr. Patty Khuly

Dr. Patty Khuly — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:54:32 +0000

Ooooh! The Blue Light Special issue! I love the discussion!

Consumer Reports—bah! It’s a family member—not a toaster oven!!

As a vet I don’t think I can say much more without interrupting the fabulous flow of this thread.

For the record, I do wish my place of work were AAHA accredited—except that I’d have to forego my open-toed platforms—double-Bah!

By: Urban Critter

Urban Critter — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:10:57 +0000

When I looked for a new vet after moving to the States (from Australia) I asked around for referrals first and tried the vet who got the most “thumbs up”.

He had me at hello - not to me but directly to my cats (he barely acknowledged I was there until he’d finished getting to know them - that was a clear and welcome signal to me who his priority was). He let them sniff his fingers, “checked their butt elevators” with petting and generally made them comfortable. Big reassurance to see they liked him - I rely on my animals’ judgement which has never been off yet.

The reason I stay with him (even though I moved and it’s now a 45 min drive which isn’t fun with a cat who poos in his carrier as soon as we hit the freeway) is that he is absolutely 100% in it for the love of the animals.

He’s been with me through the terminal illness of one of my cats (and the tough decision to euthanize when it was clear he was ready to go - Dr Ritchie actually cried with me while putting Schroeder down - as did his vet assistant… and they sent flowers to me afterwards with their condolences) and he is always consultative, thorough and knowledgeable. He knows when to be tough with me and when to back off. He takes my feedback (there was a time when the front desk staff weren’t so good but he addressed all the issues), he doesn’t do unnecessary procedures and he’s reasonable, price wise.

I think I fell in love with him a little bit when I discovered that he is actually highly allergic to companion animals (sometimes his skin looks almost raw and he’s clearly struggling even though he medicates) - to me that indicates that he is doing this as a calling, not just a profession, and his love for the animals is strong enough that he’ll endure the bad allergy days because of his commitment to them.

By: Georg

Georg — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:56:07 +0000

My vet clinic is AHAA certified. They will also recommend which vet to do what procedure if it seems more specialized- it’s a multi-vet clinic. One vet does all the ultrasounds, for example, and has the most practice with it. My diabetic cat’s vet also has a diabetic cat. My vets do go to conferences regularly. Their office is clean. They offer boarding services, although I don’t board there. They listen to me when I think it’s something, and explain why it is or is not. They listen when I voice an opinion about the treatment plan. (Some cats like pills, some like liquid. If isolation will work. etc.) They have referred me to Cornell when it’s beyond their ken. They are all I’ve hoped for in a vet, and I wish I could take myself there for medical care.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:49:13 +0000

Good point Pat.
There’s a local reptile show once a month, which I’ve been meaning to attend, but somethine always comes up and since it’s monthly, I tell myself, “there’s always next month.”
I am definitely doing a recon trip before I actually *get* anything, but I will definitely put finding out about a group on the list of things to look into while I’m there. The website doesn’t mention a group, but the website doesn’t give too much more than the details of the next date.

By: Megan

Megan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:21:13 +0000

I love that my vet is active in the local canine sports community. It keeps her aware of the needs and expectations of people who are really devoted to their dogs, and also makes her more accepting of certain modalities (massage, acupuncture, homemade diets) that vets who aren’t active with their pets might not think of so highly.

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:12:32 +0000

Christine, you might want to see if there happens to be a herpetological club in your area, and then see if you can find any of the members willing to make vet recommendations.