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02-15-2006, 01:31 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California
Posts: 69
| Banfield or Private vet? Oh man. I scheduled two appointments for my pup today, so I'm going to have to cancel one (heheh). I first scheduled at Banfield but heard some horror stories with lack of care for pets, pricing, etc. Has anyone had an experience with Banfield? Either go there or to an unknown private practice that a friend referred me to. p.s. 3month old Kiwi is going in for her regular check up. She is fragile (2.2pounds) so I'm scared of anything happening. In fact, she may need a skin scraping because of her persistant scratching. I haven't seen any fleas so I'm thinking it may be allergies. Last edited by dean29; 02-15-2006 at 01:34 PM. |
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02-15-2006, 04:49 PM | #3 |
BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,246
| I am continually interviewing good vets. I would go into each office prior to the appt, ask for a tour and ask about the doctor's credentials and awards and ask about his/her experience and training with small toy dogs especially yorkies. If you can find a vet who owns yorkies that is the ultimate. I feel like a vet associated with a large veterinary practice like Banfield may be new and just out of school and not very experienced, but that is probably a generalization. I have never used a Banfield vet and I am sure they are "told" by their corporate office what their protocols and philosophies have to be and they do not have the freedon that a vet with a privately owned practice might have. Just my thoughts for what they are worth. |
02-15-2006, 05:40 PM | #4 |
I Love Thor Donating Member | I would go to a private vet... |
02-15-2006, 06:03 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
| I think a private vet is the way to go...Every Banfield is different though. scrapindee is happy with her Banfield vet, that's awesome. I know the puppy plan sounds appealing because it covers all the shots and vet visits and other stuff, but really consider it. Initially, I had a Banfield vet, and he was really nice and helpful, but when Miko got his liver shunt, I had to get a private vet to help Miko because Banfield could only do so much... That is when I noticed the difference between a good private vet and my Banfield vet. Although the Banfield vet was great, the other vet that I went to actually developed a relationship with Miko and he has grown very close to Miko. He would do anything for Miko, and I know if anything ever happened, our vet would help us out. Whichever way you decide to go, just make sure you weigh all your options, ask lots of questions.
__________________ Miko 's his Mommy Last edited by Yorkieluv; 02-15-2006 at 06:06 PM. |
02-15-2006, 06:50 PM | #6 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California
Posts: 69
| Thanks for all the responses. I ended up taking her to the private vet, who was very nice. scrapindee: I live in Riverside and was gonna go to the Banfield in MoVal. I'll be sure to keep the San Bernardino option open...Is it expensive? I hate to have to ask about prices, as I want the BEST for my little pup...but it is so hard to afford all her bills being a college student on my own She had a check-up for $34 and a $15 invermectin shot for her mites. Is this normal?? Thanks!! |
02-15-2006, 08:02 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member | Can't speak for all the vets at Banfield--Just this particular vet. For a specialist with Yorkies, Dr. Chan at Yucaipa Animal Hospital has come highly recommended. The prices you paid were reasonable. Once I had all the puppies, originally checked I stayed with the Banfield Vet because of the puppy plan. This vet is not a new-by; he has been there for at least 8 years. If I needed a specialist, I would indeed go somewhere other than Banfield. |
02-15-2006, 09:15 PM | #8 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,216
| I use Banfield. They all know my Tigger and They're great about educating me in different areas of care for him. I have the plan as well so far I've saved over a thousand dollars. I think either way is great but do research first.
__________________ Tigger's dogster http://www.dogster.com/?257308 Bear's dogster: www.dogster.com/?368626. Krystal, John, Tigger and Baby Bear. |
02-17-2006, 11:51 AM | #9 |
YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 253
| I had the year long puppy plan at Banfield inside PetSmart which expires next month. I am not going to renew it though. I had no problem with the people/vets at Banfield. There were all very nice. It just lacked a certain something. I belong to a HMO and if you have ever experience the feeling of "NEXT" you might understand. For example; standing at the front desk line to sign in with other people who all have an appointment the same time ( 4 rooms mean you can assign 4 people at the same time), after signing in you wait to be called over for the weighing, then you get put in one of the several rooms. A worker comes in-pops in an education video about fleas or heartworms etc... 15 mins later someone will come in check the vitals-see if you have any questions and tell you the vet will be in shortly. I have waited up to this point 45mins for the vet. Its always a different vet too. Who ever in on duty at that time is who you get. I have even actually left the room to take my Roxie outside to use the restroom and get some fresh air. Unfortunately she hates the place and shakes and whines the whole time we are in there. So any long wait makes it very uncomfortable for her. I have even taken her back for just shopping and did the puppy training there-she still hates it. It just feels so impersonal. Like I am a number. I always get that "NEXT" feeling when I go there. So I have now located a vet and I do notice the difference when I go there. They know Roxie and I when I walk in. I am establishing a relationship with the vet. I like being comfortable with the vet and not having a different one each time I go in. For them to know me! That I like! I think its really up to you because I am sure each Banfield is different. They were nice but I am just looking for something more than nice. I hope this makes sense
__________________ Che'-Lees & Roxie |
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