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How to choose a good Veterinary Practice

410K views 2K replies 245 participants last post by  ragdollsarestunning 
#1 ·
I've been contemplating for some time a thread like this would be very useful in assisting owners with the very important but difficult task above. Selecting a new veterinary practice is by no means easy and one that should be undertaken with great care, but nevertheless there are some factors that should be very carefully considered as part of the selection process/decision making with a view to making the best choice.

I'm sure everyone here has some pointers that informed their decisions when for instance they moved area, or became first time pet owners. I believe it would be useful to share these thus enabling us to compile a list of screening criteria that should be considered as guidance during this very important selection process. We also need to look at reasons why you currently attend the practice you use!

I will start with a very general but basic ones! Numerous others..........

1. Asking other owners in the locality for recommendations and especially owners of your own pet species. Some veterinary practices are very good with dogs for instance but the same may not apply to cats!

2. Make an appointment to visit the practice. Make enquiries about a) number of vets employed there and their experience, their diagnostic facilities etc. in particular very basic but often lacking in some practices, blood pressure equipment-vital especially if you've got older animals.

3. Following on from the above, if you've got a cat who has an ongoing illness, making enquiries about how many other cats they are currently successfully treating with the same condition.
 
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#777 ·
Yes, the one connected to the chlorambucil. It is a rare side affect, I'm being a silly moo! I'm going to stop worrying, if it was something bad they would have contacted me before I called them :)

Will update when I hear from Peter.
As I've said Riley's never been tested..it's never even crossed my mind really, I may ask at his next check up amd see what my vet says.

But no save the worry for when worry is needed or warranted!
 
#780 ·
Hi there,

I have had issues with red gums with my 2 MC's and there only 10months and Shadow has even had to have some gum tissue removed so I can better clean his teeth. This is part of his CaliciVirus though so I know why he has the red gums etc.

Anyway in relation to your question of what to get I got this kit:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-dental-c..._832/cet-toothpaste-and-toothbrush-kits-p-757

And the brush is far easier/better to use than the one you have in your third link. I did try the one you had linked to but it was so big and the bristles were so riggid the boys hated it.

But they tolarate the CET toothbrush lol. I also give Shadow Pet Dent Antibacterial Mouth Gel as it has antibaterials in and its also similar to the stuff the vets use when doing dentals I am told. This has really helped Shadows gums so I hope it helps your kitty :)
Hi AFKMatrix, thanks for this! Well I bought the toothpastes/brushes in the three links I sent and had no luck with the brush. It's huge as you say. I did manage to get one of them to let me use it but he chomped down so hard on my finger i didn't dare try it again. I've been using cotton buds for now with the toothpaste which they've reluctantly let me do... The link you sent looks like it would be a good option. I've ordered it so will let you know how I get on! Also have purchased plaque-off... Figured it won't harm.

Thanks again! :D
 
#781 ·
I would like to know if diet is the answer. Bear had his teeth cleaned when he was 7, I had put it off as long as possible, he is now 10. The vet has to put cats to sleep unlike dogs. I was worried at the time about putting Bear to sleep at his age then. The vet again has been talking about Bear's teeth and noticing tartar was starting up again.
What diet are you feeding Bear, Linda? Did you brush his teeth since he had them cleaned? I feed my two wet food and daily freeze dried treats. I'm working on moving to commercial raw. Apparently for mine it could be because they're persian... :confused:
 
#783 ·
Roman chews plastic bags, bread wrappers and goes mad for the thick plastic that's wrapped around packs of bottled water, he'll chase me for this, good thing is he doesn't eat it just chews it!
Blue has swallowed cotton buds in the past...luckily it passed through despite me having bent it. She also does the pawing at glass thing but this has eased since she has been more settled...she still sucks my earlobe but thankfully also much reduced as its a bit weird and hurts! X
 
#784 ·
Fingers crossed for results. I second that if they were deranged the vet would have got on to you.x

I do wonder if the great protein we feed is too good...back pondering getting good calories in. I suspect to much high class protein could be also a danger.
These ib kits....we will all end up with masters degree on the subject x
 
#785 ·
I think it depends on the kitten some kittens need to be neutered early when one of my male kittens was four and a half months old he mated one of my queens once and nine weeks later she had two kittens :eek:
were I've had other males of the same age and over and they show no interest in a calling queen:huh:

So i would have a kitten your not breeding with neutered
around 4 months old.:)
 
#786 ·
I'm a little concerned but probably worrying over nothing :eek: I rang the vets this morning to find out if Roman's results were back, receptionist checked and put me on hold, she said she'd spoken to one of the nurses who said they looked similar to last months but they would need to get Peter (our vet) to call me when he's back in tomorrow to explain a few things :confused: I'm sure it's nothing but my mind has been running away with me all day :( Peter did call me last month as the receptionist didn't understand the results, but wonder what needs to be explained :confused: :confused:

xx
Sarah, I'm sure that you have nothing to worry about. :D At my vets the receptionists,/nurses are not allowed to give you details of test results. They have to be discussed with you by the vet who authorised the tests.

I do wonder if the great protein we feed is too good...back pondering getting good calories in. I suspect to much high class protein could be also a danger.
These ib kits....we will all end up with masters degree on the subject x
I've wondered about this on several occaisions. I read that digestion of protein stimulates the production of stomach acid. I felt mortified, wondering if I'd actually caused Dylan to have a problem due to feeding products which were 12% protein. I queried this with my vet who claimed that the high protein food would not have caused excess acid but I do still wonder.

I am confident that Roman's bloods will be fine. Hoping that Riley is over his blip and that Blue, Meeko, and Rosie are o k. :)

Dylan continues to try climbing the curtains, terrorising OH , and doing Lewis Hamilton impressions, his speciality being handbrake turns on the kitchen tiles. There's been no rabbit on the carpet and I have a massive grin on my face.:D

love to all
 
#787 ·
Thanks BC and Sylv :)

No phone call as yet, but like I said I'm not worrying now :)

IBD confuses me :confused: foods do too :confused: but what I do know is that the skippy is doing some good, it's a much better food than that awful sugar filled Felix :) :)

Glad to hear Dylan is keeping you on your toes :D :D there must be something in the air as Roman as been skidding around for a week or so now :D he was running so fast this morning he nearly crashed into the wall, having furry tufts on his paws and wooden floors he can't stop and keeps going :D :D

Hope everyone else is doing ok xx
 
#788 ·
Afternoon everyone.
What is going on with our little fluff monsters , it would seem Meeko isn't alone in having an attack of the "zoomies",he has been hurtling around like a cat possessed :eek: He seems a bit quieter today but that may not last.
Sarah hope you don't have much longer to wait for the results,its horrible waiting:(
Hope everyone is doing okay Meeko seems much the same,eating a fair amount although I would like him to eat more (I'm never happy) :rolleyes:
 
#789 ·
Afternoon everyone.
What is going on with our little fluff monsters , it would seem Meeko isn't alone in having an attack of the "zoomies",he has been hurtling around like a cat possessed :eek: He seems a bit quieter today but that may not last.
Sarah hope you don't have much longer to wait for the results,its horrible waiting:(
Hope everyone is doing okay Meeko seems much the same,eating a fair amount although I would like him to eat more (I'm never happy) :rolleyes:
Thanks Buffie :)

Still no call.

There defiantly must be something in the air :D :D

You want Meeko to eat more and I want Frank to eat less :D Frank's got vets on Saturday morning for his booster and yearly check up, they are going to tell me he's over weight I know it :rolleyes: he's eating for England and the rest of the world I think :D
 
#790 ·
Thanks Buffie :)

Still no call.

There defiantly must be something in the air :D :D

You want Meeko to eat more and I want Frank to eat less :D Frank's got vets on Saturday morning for his booster and yearly check up, they are going to tell me he's over weight I know it :rolleyes: he's eating for England and the rest of the world I think :D
That's a bit poor client care ,they must realise that you will be anxiously waiting for the results :( , but I suppose on the other hand the results must be okay or they would have been in touch by now surely.
 
#791 ·
That's a bit poor client care ,they must realise that you will be anxiously waiting for the results :( , but I suppose on the other hand the results must be okay or they would have been in touch by now surely.
They are usually quite good with call backs.

That's how I'm looking at it, all must be ok :) it's just the waiting. I feel like calling them but surgery doesn't finish until 6:30 so maybe I'll get a call then.

I need to put a call in to Patricia tomorrow as the month is up since our last update, if I don't hear from my vet today hopefully she'll have some news.
 
#796 ·
hi back again after nearly two years.
last year Charlie my 16 year old ragdoll kept on having loose poo. after tests that showed nothing up, with advice from here I put her on rc gastro intestinal dry. this did well until I had trouble getting it in September this year and I put her on - not sure of name = greenwood? from zooplus. she was going along fine until last week, when I had put her with all the others onto rc ragdoll. she is now back to little dobs of muscus poo with blood.
this week the vet checked her over and she had a normal temperature, so she gave her an antibiotic injection which last two days and three days of synulox which runs out on Friday. at the moment nothing has changed, and I have managed to get some more gastro but she wont eat it. she also eats felix wet food. she is eating but am worried about her because of her age.
 
#797 ·
hi back again after nearly two years.
last year Charlie my 16 year old ragdoll kept on having loose poo. after tests that showed nothing up, with advice from here I put her on rc gastro intestinal dry. this did well until I had trouble getting it in September this year and I put her on - not sure of name = greenwood? from zooplus. she was going along fine until last week, when I had put her with all the others onto rc ragdoll. she is now back to little dobs of muscus poo with blood.
this week the vet checked her over and she had a normal temperature, so she gave her an antibiotic injection which last two days and three days of synulox which runs out on Friday. at the moment nothing has changed, and I have managed to get some more gastro but she wont eat it. she also eats felix wet food. she is eating but am worried about her because of her age.
Hi Jenny, welcome back :)

I'm so to hear about Charlie :( I can understand your concern with her age.

I do sympathise with you having a fussy cat, I've had this with Roman, he would eat nothing but Felix, turned into a bit of an addict. then the RC sensitive control dry he would eat and eventually got him eating the Vet-Concept kangaroo wet. Have you tried mixing a little of the gastro food in with her Felix? Gradually adding more gastro food and less Felix might help.

Has your vet done any further tests?

Sorry I can't advise any further, hopefully someone will be on a bit later to advise further.

Take care and keep us updated x
 
#798 ·
Afternoon all

I spoke to Patricia earlier this afternoon, she wants to reduce the Pred to 5mg every other day instead of everyday, continue with the chlorambucil every other day same dose of 2mg. We need to do this for a month and then update her, she said she'll be there between Christmas and New Year.

I asked about the monthly blood tests, she said because of the dosage and frequency of the chlorambucil, though the risks are rare she still wants monthly bloods done. I also asked about his booster, she said that not to have it done because of both meds the vaccinations will not work, but we'll discuss again when we speak next month. He will have to start his vaccinations again but when that will be she's not sure.

Roman is still ok, we had a little bit of soft poo at the end again this morning. He's still running around like a loony :D

Hope every one else is doing ok xx
 
#799 ·
Hello , Jenny. I'm sorry but I have no experience with cats who suffer from dire rear but would like to say" welcome.":)

Trying to entice a reluctant eater is a nightmare . I really do feel for you. Have you tried Charlie with Royal Canin Sensitivity Control Chicken and Rice pouches. ? These seem to be liked by many cats and are often well tolerated.
My only tip with a reluctant eater would be to try feeding just a tiny piece at a time though I expect that you've probably already tried that.

Sarah , Its brilliant news that you're going to be reducing Roman's pred.:D. Fingers crossed that it goes well.:)

LDK1 Here's hoping that Rosie continues to do well with the SC pouches.:) Have you seen your vet to discuss antacids yet?

Nicola ,I hope that Riley is over his last blip and there have been no more runny poo's.:)

BC Fingers crossed that Blue's trophies from her hunting exploits have not been upsetting her tummy. Does she eat them or just present them to you as a token of her love? :)

buffie , What can I say about Meeko ? I was lying in bed last night thinking of your photo of him in the Christmas spirit http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-chat/385879-cats-christmas-trees-2.html and still giggling to myself.:D. I hope that his appetite is improving and that he keeps his food to himself.:)

True to form, Dylan returned 2 meals overnight. I am desperate to try him with the Slippery Elm to see whether that helps.

Love to all
 
#800 ·
Hello , Jenny. I'm sorry but I have no experience with cats who suffer from dire rear but would like to say" welcome.":)

Trying to entice a reluctant eater is a nightmare . I really do feel for you. Have you tried Charlie with Royal Canin Sensitivity Control Chicken and Rice pouches. ? These seem to be liked by many cats and are often well tolerated.
My only tip with a reluctant eater would be to try feeding just a tiny piece at a time though I expect that you've probably already tried that.

Sarah , Its brilliant news that you're going to be reducing Roman's pred.:D. Fingers crossed that it goes well.:)

LDK1 Here's hoping that Rosie continues to do well with the SC pouches.:) Have you seen your vet to discuss antacids yet?

Nicola ,I hope that Riley is over his last blip and there have been no more runny poo's.:)

BC Fingers crossed that Blue's trophies from her hunting exploits have not been upsetting her tummy. Does she eat them or just present them to you as a token of her love? :)

buffie , What can I say about Meeko ? I was lying in bed last night thinking of your photo of him in the Christmas spirit http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-chat/385879-cats-christmas-trees-2.html and still giggling to myself.:D. I hope that his appetite is improving and that he keeps his food to himself.:)

True to form, Dylan returned 2 meals overnight. I am desperate to try him with the Slippery Elm to see whether that helps.

Love to all
Thanks Sylv :) I'm happy that we're reducing the Pred :) but did think it would be a lower dose but know we have to do it slowly, it will be 3 months he's been in it on the 9th December, to me that is a long time.

I'm a little concerned about Roman not being able to have his booster but not much we can do about that.

I'm sorry to hear Dylan has had some returns, how long has he gone this time? When are you going to start the SEB?
 
#801 ·
Thanks Sylv :) I'm happy that we're reducing the Pred :) but did think it would be a lower dose but know we have to do it slowly, it will be 3 months he's been in it on the 9th December, to me that is a long time.

I'm a little concerned about Roman not being able to have his booster but not much we can do about that.

I'm sorry to hear Dylan has had some returns, how long has he gone this time? When are you going to start the SEB?
Personally, I wouldn't worry that its taking longer than you'd prefer to reduce Roman's pred. You are reducing and you have made so much progress :D.

I think I mentioned that I've seen masses of posts on the Yahoo IBD group referring to cats who have been on pred for years.:eek:
At one point my vet told me that she didn't think that Dylan would ever be able to come off. :(. We're only reducing because Dylan has been unable to tolerate a dose which was effective for his vomiting, and because the pred. has only brought him to the same level that he was at when we started out last January. Dyl can't have the dose which stopped his vomiting , 5mg daily because it gave him dire rear. If he's much worse off the pred and we can't get the level down with other changes he may have to go back on though I desperately hope not. He's a complete nutter off the pred. - just the way I love him.:)

I understand that you are concerned that Roman can't have his booster at the moment however there would be no point in him having the booster at a time when it wouldn't be fully effective.

Dyl went 4 days vomit free. I am disappointed that he returned 2 successive meals but wonder whether the second one was because the interval between meals was wrong after he had vomited the first time. I tried to stay awake to feed him 30 minutes after the "return" but I fell asleep so the gaps between meals were all over the place. He does best when fed precisely on time.:rolleyes:

I need to wait till I've been able to establish his current pattern of vomiting off the pred before I make any changes. I'm torn between trying the SEB and introducing some Felini. I can only make one change at a time or I won't know what is working/ not working. I must learn to be patient ;)

love to all
 
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