breaking up with my vet

[squid_ink]

I think I'm going to break up with my vet. I don't have a problem with him, he's a good compassionate vet but

Comments

[sageincave]

Personally I think it is very weird that vets now have to send out condolence cards. I've started getting them in recent years; have clued into the fact that it is just a part of doing business these days. It is not a reflection of the vet's actual attachment to or appreciation of your pet (or yourself).

If you can keep track of needed/upcoming appointments, I'd stick with the vet. If you can't function without the reminders (or don't want to), then find a new vet.

I'm sorry your cat died. I hope you find a vet you are happy with.

[squid_ink]

thanks for the input. I do keep track of my cats appointments (it's easier now with only three) - I'm just concerned at what else falls between the cracks now in terms of bloodwork and fecal samples. What I see going on in the front office, is it an indication of whats going on behind the scenes now that the office manager is gone? I know she used to take care of sending out bloodwork and other paperwork having to do with the animals well being.

Usually changes like this are red flags for me... but I do like the vet. He has two practices and I think he's spread a little thin, though.

I'm sorry Oscar died too. Ive always gotten little notes and cards from vets when my animals passed, it actually was quite healing. I even got one for my turtle when he passed from kidney failure. :(

[alyssa22]

I know how you feel. I had my poor baby in an emergency vet for two days before he was put to sleep and there was nothing from them, but the specialist who only saw him once, hand wrote a card for him. He and the nurse who treated Kasper both wrote in it.

That meant a lot to me..

Maybe you could mention to the vet that since the changeover of office staff you haven't received notifications. Maybe don't mention the condolence card, but the notifications is a big thing that I'm sure a lot of people have picked up on.

I actually have a vet now who comes around to see my cats. It's cheaper and less stressful than a vet visit. If something big happens, then we go in (like being spayed, etc), but otherwise, the visiting vet is good for checkups.

[squid_ink]

I actually have a vet now who comes around to see my cats. I had made an appointment with a mobile vet to help Oscar 'over the bridge' when the time came... he passed on his own a day before she was supposed to visit.

the woman spent 20 minutes on the phone with me the next day, it was so reassuring. She's also highly recommended.

there is alot to say for vets who make house calls :)

[suidae]

I would think that if these have been recent changes in the clinic, you could maybe just bring up your concerns on the office management situation? Rather then just up and leave, because it may just be a temporary situation. Sometimes when a management type person leaves or the clinic is understaffed certain things fall through the cracks. It sucks, but they may be breaking in a new person or...they may have taken on a new manager who has a different point of view on how to run a clinic and feels those things aren't necessary. Either way I'm sure that the hospital owner would like to know that you appreciated the way things used to be handled and might take that into consideration

[squid_ink]

thanks for the input... I'm just concerned that the lack of reminders for the appointments may be a symptom of a bigger problem.

and thank you for the kind words. Losing a friend at any age is hard... but Oscar was with me for so long, it's a tough one

:(

[naughty_fairy]

If it were me? I would change vets. Why.. mostly because our cat is the only "child" we will have and I tend to go from sane, super organized I got this shit covered person to crazy OMG I can't deal with this whenever he is sick (which happened a lot last year) and without the vet I have now I would have had a much harder time

[squid_ink]

thanks... this is good advice. "cat side manner" is so important and you have to feel confident with any medical professional in the practice, from the vet to the tech (and the doctor to the nurse to the nurses aide)

[mejane_83]

I'm not trying to be rude but I hope you do realize that the vet has LOTS of other patients. I'm sure his office manager was the one who took care of all of that stuff and he probably doesn't have time to do that.

When the office gets short, there are cuts that have to be made and reminder calls/cards are the first to go. I'm sure once he gets a new office manager, that kind of stuff will come back.

I also agree with another poster who said that you should keep track of your own appointments.

[squid_ink]

I'm not trying to be rude but no.. that's exactly how you're trying to be, and you've succeeded

the vet has a new office manager... all these little mixups make me wonder what else is getting screwed up behind the scenes.

I do keep track of my cats appointments TYVM.

I'm glad you're willing to settle for substandard service at a medical office but frankly... I'm not.

[mejane_83]

You didn't say it was the norm, you said it was ever since the office manager was let go.

I don't care what you do, honestly.

I'm just trying to give you the perspective that you seem to be missing.

[squid_ink]

I'm just trying to give you the perspective that you seem to be missing.

You have such a nice way of putting things... well thank you for your 'concern'

I think I can do without the attitude and your 'perspective' next time.