Hey Folks,

So on Saturday, I took my little fellas Niko & Baloo to the Vets for their first Vaccinations. It was their first time at the Vets so when I called up to make the appointment, I specifically asked whether they would be getting a health check. The lady on the phone was very nice and said, Yes the vet will check them both over, plus I will get four weeks free insurance and my first lots of wormers for free (which I thought was pretty reasonable!)

When we set off on Saturday morning my little boys were [understandably] petrified, and were none stop mewing in the carrier - it made my heart melt!

Where we arrived, they were even worse, hiding and mewing all the time, so I was really hoping the vet would be gentle with them! However, when we got into the room, he didn't introduce himself at all and just said "vaccinations, yeah?"
I looked at my partner and the vet went out of the room to get the needles, leaving the door wide open to the op theatre.

When he came back in, he asked how they were to which we replied "well, from what we can tell, but Baloo has had his third eyelid showing last week" to which he just chuckled and then proceeded to grabbed them out, stab them with the needle then pop them back in the carrier!!
He told us to sit in the waiting area while sorted our certificates. He gave us them and then said see you in three weeks!

We recieved zero aftercare, worming treatment, free insurance. He didn't even check the basics - eyes, ears, mouth, bottom etc. He didn't even weigh them.

Finally, when I looked at my vacc's certificates, I noticed that they had their ages wrong - I told the vet that they are 11 weeks old exactly and he put that they were 9 weeks old! He even spelt Baloo's name wrong, and just laughed again when I pointed this out!

I left there really shocked at the lack of service I recieved, and worried in case my boys got ill from the injections and I wouldn't know what to do. I still don't even know if they are totally healthy - luckily I weigh them every week and have checked out their teeth myself, but with Baloo showing his third eyelid last week and I really could have done with some info on it, not a laugh!!

Sorry about how long this post is, but can someone tell me, was I expecting too much from the vet or am I right in thinking he did a rubbish job?

Thanks

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I'm not sure that I would be too concerned with the way that they were handled, as long as the vet wasn't aggressive in his manner. However, I would have expected them to get a quick once over especially as they hadn't been there before. My vets tend to do that regardless when I take my pets to the vets. If they haven't seen them for a while they check weight, eyes, ears, teeth, etc.

Are you sure this guy was a vet and not one of the nurses? I know at my practice there are some of the general procedures that the nurses carry out.

I'm not sure about the free insurance though. I've never heard of a vet doing that - this is often given by breeders but only for a short period Did you ask him about worming, etc?

If you aren't happy with the treatment that you recieved, mention it to the receptionists and perhaps ask to see a different vet next time or change practices? Why did you choose them in the first place? Were they recommended?

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Jeeeez! I just re-read your post again and totally missed the first paragraph!!! Sorry!

After reading it again, properly, it makes me wonder even more if he was a nurse and not a vet. Perhaps they had an emergency at the time or something? I would definitely call them and raise your concerns. If they said you would get free insurance, wormers, etc then talk to them about it. It could be that he thought the ladies on reception would deal with it, or just an oversight. He kind of sounds like he has a bit of a blaize attitude.....

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Every vet Ive ever used over the many years of having animals, Pets have always had a once over regardless, I understand that the nurses can do some routine things like worming and vaccinations etc and therefor would not get the once over but the price would reflect this.

If your not happy then I would say "tell them so" after all you are the customer.

There are enough vets out there for you to pick and choose, so if all else fails, go and find another vet who deserves your custom and your nearest and dearest

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The thing is, that if you don't feel comfortable with your vet at a routine check up, how would you feel about them during an emergency when you need them to be good with your pet and you? Is this the normal vet or a temporary cover?

As a comparrision, at the 2nd vaccination of my kittens I asked my vet to do a full health check even though CP had done a full check up three weeks earlier with the same vet. She checked their fur, their muscles, ran a hand over to check their bones, their ears, their eyes, their teeth and their temp. She also showed me how to brush their teeth and gave their worming tablet, but showed me how to do it in the future. She also scanned the microchips after I asked her to and we discovered I had the wrong registration details for one of my kittens. She also went through their 8 point check list of health care which included nutrition, annual check up, neutering, insurance etc.

We only paid for the tablet (CP donation covered the vaccination) and we were not rushed at all - probably in there for 30 minutes with 2 kittens.

They were also brilliant last week when one of our kittens had a slightly complicated neutering. Loads of advice, and we go today for another check up, and on Friday for removal of stitches - again no extra charge for this, and she told us to bring both kittens, as 'we might should make sure both are OK'.

The thing is on Friday I was really worried after knowing the neutering was not quite as smooth as Oscar's. I was able to call them back to discuss how this affected Wilbur, and at no time was I made to feel stupid. They also had spelt Wilbur's name wrong. I corrected it on the signed form but didn't point it out to them. When I came to collect him later the discharge notes had his correctly spelt name.

I think if it was me I would have asked if he was the normal vet, and then ask why a check up wasn't done. Although I am sure your kittens are fine, it is good for both you and them to know everything is exactly as it should be. You can always try calling them again to book for a check up or try another vet. It could have just been a busy day for them and next time they may be brilliant.

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That doesn't sound the like the best treatment, I would phone up and ask to speak to the practice manager tell them what the receptionist told and how the consult went and that you weren't happy with the service received and see what they say if you are still unhappy then I would look for another vet.

No no, this simply won't do. I suggest you find another vet. The best way is word of mouth. Anyone else you could go to? Sorry you went through this

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Wendy, mum to:
Simba von Wurzbachtal, Turkish Van, born Austria, 5/9/10

RIP
Tarka, 1989 - 2008 my gentle Phileas Fogg
Bruno, 2008 - 2010 taken too soon my darling boy
Misi, 1993 - 25/3/2012 My brave, beautiful tabby

Sorry to hear about this disappointing first visit!

No, you're perfectly right to be concerned. The vet should have at the very least have carried out a full health check listened to their hearts etc. Relying on what the client says isn't always a good idea. Considering it was their first visit, I can't believe nothing was discussed about worming etc Interpersonal skills were also very sadly lacking and he should have been able to reassure you about the third eyelid, giving reasons why he was unconcerned.

I can only hope this was a locum. Either way I would make a point of avoiding him in future. Also a word with the practice manager explaining your reasons why.

He sounds delightful.

I know at my vets the insurance/wormers thing she described sounds like the free 'kitten checks' they do, which are performed by vet nurses. They give you a kitten pack which has the details for insurance and give you a wormer treatment for free also when they send your details off.

The people over the phone also tend to very different info to what actually happen,s including pricing, sometimes so i would always double check with the vet I saw.

Out of interest did you ask him to do any of the things you were un happy with, like did you ask him about the wormers or insurance?

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Just so you can compare, I took Biffy to the vet for the first time 2 weeks ago, I've never had a pet to take to the vets before so it was all new to me, and what we had was:-
General check over, condition, teeth, just a visual check and with hands.
Weighed
Vet asked me about how he's settling in, will he be an indoor or outdoor cat, where did I get him from, how old is he, has he been neutered. Gave me some advice e.g. try feliway, settling in will take 6weeks - 2 months, generally useful things to know, asked a bit about insurance. Biffy was having a wander around the room at this point!
Showed me how to do wormer
Had me pick up and hold him and she did the vaccinations and microchip, all over very quickly and he was so good, straight back in his carrier.
Gave me a 'kitten' pack even though he's not a kitten, because he's new to me and my first cat! Plus wormer to do at home.
Receptionist got me to fill in microchip form and booked to go back in 3 weeks.
All cost £40-something, not bad at all for vaccinations, wormer, flea, microchip and a health check.

Only thing I can think is she didn't ask me about cleaning his teeth, and she did say a mix of wet and dry food is good but all in all I was very happy. There was someone in before for an emergency with their dog, poor owner was very upset and they took chairs and tea into the room for her, and after she came out I overheard the vet making arrangements for rooms for the next day, private and space and stuff, I can only think the poor dog was going to be put to sleep. Didn't mind that we were delayed because of that, although so sad to see, thought it was well-handled and the vet seemed to care.