TGIF! Weekend has arrived and they are expecting a heat wave here in San Francisco so we are going to be indoors quite a bit as to not overheat. We have had a cold summer with drizzles and suddenly it has decided to warm up and Mom is happy but I am not, too hot for me grrrr. Thank goodness I have my cooling vest which helps a lot.
As you all know two weeks ago Nili was sick and we went to the vet clinic that Mom has been going to for over 15 years. She always loved them but this time she got fed up. I am going to break down the story here which upsets me as it was one of the best clinics to go to but since it has become private, owned by the vets that work there, has all the modern day equipment, open 24/7 so much has gone wrong also and we have decided to move to another place, smaller but friendlier.
These are the reasons / red flag that made me do it :
- When Nili was sick, I made an appointment with our regular vet who knows Mom but was not there so we saw a new vet. A young guy, and during the exam he had another vet there too so we are wondering if he was a student or not, I have no issues with that but feel vets should listen to the dog Mom not force things on her. While checking her he said she needed fluid shots, nausea shots plus dog diet food to help her lose weight. I was astonished that he was deciding all this without discussing with me. Nili had just finished a cup of water so she was not dehydrated, she had been eating so I knew she was not nauseas. Telling me to buy diet food is not an option as I do not believe in them plus in a nutshell he was telling me to have her get a flu shot. I was in shock over it all but kept quiet as I did not want stress at the clinic for the sake of Nili. He also mentioned probiotic dog food which although I hate kibbles decided to give her instead of medications plus so much more. He wanted me to buy the cans but I put my foot down and got the kibble which I must admit helped her. In a nutshell I came home with no answers to my questions but being sold as such things I did not need.
- The final straw with this clinic was on Monday I called them to make an appointment for her Leptospirosis vaccine, I told them on the phone that I wanted a vet tech to do it as it is a lot cheaper and they told me they would call with time and date. By 6 that evening I had not heard from them so I called them back, the customer service told me the following : There is no vet tech appointments, He then had the audacity to tell me that for an extra $55 I could have it done with a vet and as I have credit there to cover it there would be no problem. That is when I got really angry and told him he has no right to tell me what to do with my credit, so his reply was well he would give me other places to go. I told him about an article I had read about vets thinking more of money than pets and felt that is what is happening at his clinic, he was not happy that I said that, I also told him I blogged and would talk about it here today, and then put the phone down.
- On Wednesday they called me again, LOL, telling me that they had place for a vet tech at the price they had quoted me $98 but I told them thanks as I had made an appointment at another clinic. I know the reason she called me was the other clinic had called them for all Nili’s files so that they would have everything before I went today.
This morning, Nili and I went to get her shot, what a difference, what a great family vet clinic, everyone was smiling, welcoming and the vet was fantastic. Did not push anything on me, discussed chunky monkey’s weight, what to do and in a nutshell I have found the place to go now. Actually, all my friends rave about this clinic and they are so right. I always say a first impression says it all.
Waiting for the bus to go to the ver, Nili
Mom can we go home please, it is nice and cool here but I do not like vets, Nili
One of the many reasons I am sharing this with everyone is I want pet parents to know there are always other options, and it is sad that some clinics are so money motivated, causing many pet parents to avoid them plus dumping their pets as they cannot afford the vet expenses. I am not wealthy, on a fixed income, am blessed to have certain coverage for Nili but I still must watch what I am spending as to not go over my annual budget for vets where possible and if a clinic is checking my finances as such I am not interested in working with them. Their loss not mine and Nili and my gain having found a fantastic new one.
As always Nili keeps me amused so am going to share our video of the week, as she is such a clown.
Please be safe and have a wonderful weekend, with lots of memories,
Love Nili aka chunky monkey and Mom
Yes, it’s all about the money. Here the locally owned by the Vet’s are much less expensive. Our original crew goes to a Vet clinic way across town, it’s a cat only place, 40 minute drive. When we started added new kitties we tried a new place 5 minutes away, locally owned. It was wonderful and the Vet was super. However, her and her husband got divorced and she moved by to her home state. The new Vet sold it and is part of a bigger group. The want every test and just want to add on the charges. I moved everyone else to the one that’s a 40 minute drive and about 100% less expensive. Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
I agree with you they all have become all about the money and I understand they have expenses, salaries etc but they should stop and think about their clients also. I am so relieved you have a cheap clinic to go to with all your cats, it might be a long drive but you are saving in the long run. Thanks so much for Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop as always with a woof from Nili.
So far, we’ve only (thankfully) had to have annual vet checkups for JUNE, still very costly. And we/I get scolded about her weight each time! Which I try to ignore, knowing she is large boned, long legged, too, so don’t really think she’s “too big”. In our little one-room studio, not much space for her to run, do zoomies, exercise. It is what it is. So glad you found new and better care for Nili. You both deserve not just good care, but “personal” and kindness when you visit, attention to YOU and your needs. Nothing less is acceptable.
Take care, stay well … Ann and June
Ann you are very blessed with June being so healthy, I am trying to do the same with Nili to avoid vet visits but her yearly check up. Like you I am living in a tiny studio so she does not get much exercise in the house and that is why I walk her or park time as much as possible as she needs to lose the weight, LOL. June sounds perfect and i wish i could meet her, take care and have a wonderful week, Me an Nili
Oh my! I’m glad you found a much better clinic to take Nili. Those are red flags indeed. I’ve been hearing such horror stories about the changes to many vet clinics. So far, I’ve been lucky with Henry’s vet. But they just brought on a new vet, which is something because he’s worked alone for years. He’s too young to retire, so I kind of wonder what the plan is going forward. So far, care has remained consistent. But I’m always on the lookout, and I always have my ears open for other clinics just in case. I’m so glad you found a better clinic and could get Nili in so quickly. Henry would say Nili needs a cookie, but since she’s watching her weight, a good belly rub will do. Here’s to a much better week.
Terri you are lucky as I am so relieved to have found a great one also. I agree we need to be on the lookout all the time so that our babies get the best care and Henry is fortunate that he has a wonderful vet, you are really blessed. Henry deserves lots of treats and Nili says thanks for the belly rub. Have a wonderful week
I am so glad you found a vet’s office you are happy with. It’s so important, and not all vets are created equal…sadly. I was so fortunate that I had a wonderful team. The founder has since left, and the business was purchased by a chain. I had relocated when this happened, and was lucky enough that before it all changed hands, I still had my cherished vet team who did house visits for my Huskies. After relocating out of the area, I again was fortunate that I found a wonderful vet who was a mobile vet and came to my house for care.
Today, like with human healthcare places, everything is a company/chain now. I fear that wonderful human touch and caring will be a thing of the past. Not that new vets don’t care, they do, but the system changed and with only a set amount of time per visit, it sure takes away that human touch and trust bond.
Your message is so true and one I always preach. If one is not happy or doesn’t feel comfortable with current vet office, please seek out another.
Hugs to dear Nili!
Dorothy you were really blessed and it is so sad that small places are being bought out by big companies as that family feeling gets lost and I agree I am sure the vets do care but they are so overloaded plus it just does not work for me. I am blessed to have found another who are amazing and many people I know rave about them which makes me feel good.
You are an incredible Dog Mom and your Huskies were so blessed.
Hugs from us