How to know a good vet from a bad one?

meeshmeesh · 10-19-2010, 10:54 AM

Hi everyone,

Since getting my 10 week old kitten, I decided to start going to Banfield (the vet inside Petsmart) because that have wellness plans that you can pay for monthly. These plans cover routine check-ups, shots, and even getting the kitty spayed. Both times I have been there, though, I always feel a little rushed. I understand they're busy, but when I'm trying to figure out how to make my cat feel better (she was a rescue and had a slight upper respiratory infection) it's a little unsettling to be pushed out the door. Not sure if I'm just being a little over-dramatic...I just want to make sure my baby's ok and exactly what I need to do to keep her that way!

What have you guys found is the best? Should I go to a local vet instead, or stick with a big company like Banfield? I know when I lived in Philadelphia I took my cats to the VCA cat hospital (apparently a corporate run vet), and it always seemed like they would throw in extra charges for things I didn't need done in the first place...

What have your experiences been like?

October · 10-19-2010, 11:29 AM

I've never been to Banfield, but I've tried every vet in my town and have finally landed with one I'm happy with. It's not easy ... it seems like if you like the people and feel good about their skills, they're too expensive, or vice versa.

I think asking around is the best bet. I asked our cat sitter, who is a woman who volunteers at the SPCA and has pets of her own, and she gave me some good inside scoop into the vet I'm with now. They all seem too busy, so I can relate to how you felt rushed when you were at Banfield.

Dave_ph · 10-19-2010, 01:14 PM

If you're in a heavily populated area with a number of reviews available check Angie's list.

A 'cat only' vet is usually a good choice.

Susan · 10-19-2010, 07:36 PM

I use a small local animal clinic, which I selected in part because it offers 24-hour, 7-day emergency services (which I fortunately haven't needed to use yet, but one never knows). I'm very happy with their care, although they are more expensive than other vets in the area. Dave's idea of checking out web reviews is a good idea.

Vivid Dawn · 10-19-2010, 09:09 PM

In the last 10 years, I've been to 3 vets. I think I finally found a decent one!

First vet was close (about the only reason I chose it, so that Paizly could get there and back home quick...5 minute drive). Though his exams weren't too thorough, and he always said "we can try this..."... now while I understand that each animal is different, it wasn't so much that as more he acted like he wasn't sure at all what to do!
Second vet was still close, but it's a clinic with 4 different vets, and I don't feel I got much personal one-on-one care. Then when they told me they wouldn't help with my ferals, I switched to another one.

This vet (so far) is much better. I already know one of the techs from the first vet (first vet kinda went out of business), so she already knows my cat already. The vet himself, he actually talks to me! In fact, the other day at the end of his shift, he answered some questions before going home...but I didn't know he was going home! Didn't try to rush me, or anything.

I would love to take my cats to a cat-only vet, but
#1 it's nearly an hour's drive, and my cats would be SO stressed in a carrier that long
#2 being a specialist, it's nearly twice as expensive (if I wasn't stuck on a pitiful SSI check, I probably wouldn't mind)

shicagah · 10-19-2010, 09:16 PM

My mother used to use Banfield for Elvis and their service was terrible. They rushed through the exams, which consisted of the vet lightly brushing his hands over the bottom and top of the cat, and pretty much treated us as though we knew very little of what we were talking about.

Aside from that, I've had him at several different vets since and experienced vet visits with other family member's pets as well.

There was another that we went to that was also terrible, another that was ok, and finally the one we've go to now for a recent upset of upper respiratory infections (very bad swelling of the eyes, etc). They treat the pets with care and affection, they do extensive physical exams, treat problems quickly and aggressively, are friendly and open to sharing information and even walk in appointments.

The one we go to now is local. Don't be afraid to move on to another vet if you find that the one you are seeing isn't up to par with service. We're paying more for this vet than the first two vets (which were awful) that we went to, but our cats are also getting the best care as we're getting as much information and help as we need.

Sinatra-Butters · 10-19-2010, 09:53 PM

I go to Banfield. I haven't had a problem with it but maybe it's different in Virginia.

JulieC · 10-19-2010, 10:11 PM

When I adopted my late cat Buster from the shelter, they provided me a list of vets to call who would give me a discount on a wellness visit if I made an appointment within the next ten days. Most of them could not see him with ten days. I finally found a vet just a few miles from me that could see him that morning when I called as he developed a bad URI.

The shelter does not give out that list anymore. When I got Mimi a few months later, no list in the adoption packet.

Your local shelter could probably give you a recommendation.

meeshmeesh · 10-20-2010, 10:42 AM

Thanks for your advice guys!

As for Boink, She was given this antibiotic eye ointment as well as clavamox, which I'm supposed to give her until it runs out. I'm not sure if she had an upper respiratory infection or just an eye infection (she was occasionally sneezing and had crusties in her eyes, but it wasn't very serious and the vet said her body was strong and doing a good job fighting it off). They just kept saying she had an infection and gave me the medicine. The only thing is, with the eye ointment it seems to make her eyes more squinty and watery than they were before (they never actually looked swollen or anything, just had little crusties). Is this normal? She can see fine and doesn't act uncomfortable, I just tend to worry....So I just wanted to see if anyone else has ever had to do this?

shicagah · 10-20-2010, 08:29 PM

I'm giving Elvis eye ointment right now and originally, the first few times I gave it to him, his eye seemed more squinty in relation to what it was. However, his eye was terribly swollen, which was what prompted us to get him into the vet. It could just be getting worse before it gets better, but keep in mind you're putting more liquid/substance into an eye that is already watery, and thus is can look much more than it was before you used ointment. Elvis' eye certainly did right after using the ointment. (He also had pilled clavamox, though currently he's just on ointment.)

If it's a real concern, ring up your vet and ask for some advice.

10-19-2010, 10:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
meeshmeesh Kitten Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 25	How to know a good vet from a bad one? Hi everyone, Since getting my 10 week old kitten, I decided to start going to Banfield (the vet inside Petsmart) because that have wellness plans that you can pay for monthly. These plans cover routine check-ups, shots, and even getting the kitty spayed. Both times I have been there, though, I always feel a little rushed. I understand they're busy, but when I'm trying to figure out how to make my cat feel better (she was a rescue and had a slight upper respiratory infection) it's a little unsettling to be pushed out the door. Not sure if I'm just being a little over-dramatic...I just want to make sure my baby's ok and exactly what I need to do to keep her that way! What have you guys found is the best? Should I go to a local vet instead, or stick with a big company like Banfield? I know when I lived in Philadelphia I took my cats to the VCA cat hospital (apparently a corporate run vet), and it always seemed like they would throw in extra charges for things I didn't need done in the first place... What have your experiences been like?

10-19-2010, 11:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
October Premier Cat Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,001	I've never been to Banfield, but I've tried every vet in my town and have finally landed with one I'm happy with. It's not easy ... it seems like if you like the people and feel good about their skills, they're too expensive, or vice versa. I think asking around is the best bet. I asked our cat sitter, who is a woman who volunteers at the SPCA and has pets of her own, and she gave me some good inside scoop into the vet I'm with now. They all seem too busy, so I can relate to how you felt rushed when you were at Banfield. __________________ Holly and Murphy

10-19-2010, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dave_ph Cat Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 3,462	If you're in a heavily populated area with a number of reviews available check Angie's list. A 'cat only' vet is usually a good choice. __________________ The last time people tried to elimate free roaming cats it resulted in The Black Plague.

10-19-2010, 07:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Susan Premier Cat Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,632	I use a small local animal clinic, which I selected in part because it offers 24-hour, 7-day emergency services (which I fortunately haven't needed to use yet, but one never knows). I'm very happy with their care, although they are more expensive than other vets in the area. Dave's idea of checking out web reviews is a good idea. __________________ Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

10-19-2010, 09:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vivid Dawn Cat Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah - USA Posts: 1,509	In the last 10 years, I've been to 3 vets. I think I finally found a decent one! First vet was close (about the only reason I chose it, so that Paizly could get there and back home quick...5 minute drive). Though his exams weren't too thorough, and he always said "we can try this..."... now while I understand that each animal is different, it wasn't so much that as more he acted like he wasn't sure at all what to do! Second vet was still close, but it's a clinic with 4 different vets, and I don't feel I got much personal one-on-one care. Then when they told me they wouldn't help with my ferals, I switched to another one. This vet (so far) is much better. I already know one of the techs from the first vet (first vet kinda went out of business), so she already knows my cat already. The vet himself, he actually talks to me! In fact, the other day at the end of his shift, he answered some questions before going home...but I didn't know he was going home! Didn't try to rush me, or anything. I would love to take my cats to a cat-only vet, but #1 it's nearly an hour's drive, and my cats would be SO stressed in a carrier that long #2 being a specialist, it's nearly twice as expensive (if I wasn't stuck on a pitiful SSI check, I probably wouldn't mind) __________________ MY PETS: Paizly Zinara Nebula - FERALS: Disco (MIA) Rune Tangelo Zazzle - PETSITTING: Xanthe

10-19-2010, 09:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
shicagah Jr. Cat Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: GA Posts: 48	My mother used to use Banfield for Elvis and their service was terrible. They rushed through the exams, which consisted of the vet lightly brushing his hands over the bottom and top of the cat, and pretty much treated us as though we knew very little of what we were talking about. Aside from that, I've had him at several different vets since and experienced vet visits with other family member's pets as well. There was another that we went to that was also terrible, another that was ok, and finally the one we've go to now for a recent upset of upper respiratory infections (very bad swelling of the eyes, etc). They treat the pets with care and affection, they do extensive physical exams, treat problems quickly and aggressively, are friendly and open to sharing information and even walk in appointments. The one we go to now is local. Don't be afraid to move on to another vet if you find that the one you are seeing isn't up to par with service. We're paying more for this vet than the first two vets (which were awful) that we went to, but our cats are also getting the best care as we're getting as much information and help as we need.

10-19-2010, 09:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sinatra-Butters Cat Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,912	I go to Banfield. I haven't had a problem with it but maybe it's different in Virginia. __________________ Becky, the proud momma of:

10-19-2010, 10:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
JulieC Cat Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 245	When I adopted my late cat Buster from the shelter, they provided me a list of vets to call who would give me a discount on a wellness visit if I made an appointment within the next ten days. Most of them could not see him with ten days. I finally found a vet just a few miles from me that could see him that morning when I called as he developed a bad URI. The shelter does not give out that list anymore. When I got Mimi a few months later, no list in the adoption packet. Your local shelter could probably give you a recommendation.

10-20-2010, 10:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
meeshmeesh Kitten Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 25	Thanks for your advice guys! As for Boink, She was given this antibiotic eye ointment as well as clavamox, which I'm supposed to give her until it runs out. I'm not sure if she had an upper respiratory infection or just an eye infection (she was occasionally sneezing and had crusties in her eyes, but it wasn't very serious and the vet said her body was strong and doing a good job fighting it off). They just kept saying she had an infection and gave me the medicine. The only thing is, with the eye ointment it seems to make her eyes more squinty and watery than they were before (they never actually looked swollen or anything, just had little crusties). Is this normal? She can see fine and doesn't act uncomfortable, I just tend to worry....So I just wanted to see if anyone else has ever had to do this? __________________ “Cats are dangerous companions for writers because cat watching is a near-perfect method of writing avoidance”

10-20-2010, 08:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
shicagah Jr. Cat Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: GA Posts: 48	I'm giving Elvis eye ointment right now and originally, the first few times I gave it to him, his eye seemed more squinty in relation to what it was. However, his eye was terribly swollen, which was what prompted us to get him into the vet. It could just be getting worse before it gets better, but keep in mind you're putting more liquid/substance into an eye that is already watery, and thus is can look much more than it was before you used ointment. Elvis' eye certainly did right after using the ointment. (He also had pilled clavamox, though currently he's just on ointment.) If it's a real concern, ring up your vet and ask for some advice.

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