How did you choose your vet?

First topic message reminder :

I moved here 6yrs ago. Far away from where I lived prior. Got Tyson before jess needed  her annual shots so I hadnt found a vet here yet. Didnt know anyone here yet to ask for recommendations, so I just took tyson to the one up the road. Everything was great till.... jess needed her annual shots.

Now keep in mind, jess is bigger than a male doberman & chunky due to the staffy in her, but she is so very gentle by nature....but... this man is a vet!

He MUZZLED MY GIRL! Are you kidding me! She's never been muzzled her entire life! He was actually scared of her!  
Jess didnt know what was going on & I was just plain annoyed!
Well, we never went back!!!

I found an equine vet that backs onto the racetrack just up the road here that also services your dogs /cats if your horse is their patient. They do not take dog owners. It is only a service for their horse owners. They call it their small animal clinic    some of the dogs I've met there actually ARE horses.   Well, if they can treat horses, jess shouldnt be a problem! I spoke to the vet & told the story to him.

Ok! Ill see her! Yippee! We have never looked back! Jessup just loves him. 

He actually kisses jess each visit & he allowed me to bring tyson to him also!    

Ohhhh..... now Chilli goes to an equine vet to.          

You gotta have a great vet!

I think it's important to be able to trust your vet, when you're going to be leaving a sick/injured/frightened animal with them.

WOW,!! I am actually surprised at the varied responses! Didnt think I would be.....but I trully am!

I have no prob with a muzzle if the animal is in distress at all. I do have a prob with a vet if they cant deal with an animal.

My girl will raise her lip if not happy but... never a sound! My vet dosent even raise an eyebrow.

A good vet is so wonderful. I am so pleased you all have also found one, in the end.  

Dempsey has growled quietly at vets before, usually when it comes to rectal thermometers. The only time he's ever been potentially dangerous has been when he tore his dew claw and had to have part of his toe amputated. The vet was manoeuvring his claw and Demps was in a lot of pain. The screaming was deafening! We had to hold him down, bless him, even though he'd been muzzled as a precaution.

The vet was absolutely fantastic; he didn't even flinch. Unfortunately, although Dempsey liked that particular vet, when it came to taking off the muzzle, Dempsey kept shying away every time the vet's hand went near him.

Jess has never batted an eyelid at the thermometer. Just turns her head to her bottom to see what... what..what you doing?  
Poor demps, that hurts!

Con & I held down our neighbours grt dane x mastiff just to trim it. Thats really painful! I'd growl at him too!
That would have really hurt! Id back away from someone that hurt me too. 

Eleanor wrote: Unfortunately, although Dempsey liked that particular vet, when it came to taking off the muzzle, Dempsey kept shying away every time the vet's hand went near him.  

Yes, the vet laughed & called him a wimp!  

I would be fine with the vet wanting to muzzle one of the girls if they were in pain for the vet and the dogs safety. As long as it had nothing to do with breed.

Caryll wrote:

Eleanor wrote: Unfortunately, although Dempsey liked that particular vet, when it came to taking off the muzzle, Dempsey kept shying away every time the vet's hand went near him.  

Yes, the vet laughed & called him a wimp!  

aww  

Yep, health and safety first!

I think what impresses me with our vets is that they always say "let's try without the muzzle first - no need to increase anxiety if it isn't necessary".

My only slightly negative comment about our vets would be about some of the veterinary nurses: I wish they'd have a little more confidence when it comes to dealing with dogs and angry cats. Otherwise, I think our vets are perfect!

Yes, they do seem to be a bit nervous at times, I don't really know why. Maybe they get to see more aggressive dogs than the vets?

Then shouldnt they have learnt how to deal with aggression?
I am very lucky, my nurses are wonderful with all temperaments. As mine are not... I often end up asking for my dog(s) back!