I don't know if this is just the norm, or if I just got seriously spoiled by my past vet???!!
When I first got Bella, we saw one vet here in town (because I thought that would be easier than taking her 1 hr. away to the vet I had been using for my cats when I just to live there), but switched to another vet because 1) he would not get lab results back in a timely fashion, 2) I would have to call to get the results, but would only get a copy and not get to talk to the vet about his interpretation/what to do now/etc..., 3) the last straw was when I thought Bella might have a UTI right after her spay (which was done by a different vet....long story), so I took her in for a urinalysis the morning we were leaving to go out of town for Thanksgiving, inconvenient timing, I know, but you notice when you notice!! I took her in at 7:00 am, and told them we were leaving town at 4:00. After 2:00 passed, I called several times because I could tell from the results I asked them to fax me that she had a UTI (positive for blood and bacteria), even though I still hadn't heard anything from the vet. By 3:30 I still wasn't able to talk to the vet, and I knew she needed to be on an antibiotic....and I certainly didn't want to wait 4 5 more days for her to start it! So, I had to stop by and be grilled by the other vet there (Bella's vet was out on a call) before I could get the antibiotics.
So, the new vet here in town I like as a person, and I find her to be intelligent, etc..., but unless she is standing right in front of me she will not talk to me!! Today was my last straw with this new vet....I took Bella in for some follow-up labwork, and not only was I not told that she needed to fast before 1 of the 2 things she was having done, but I was also told 1) that she wouldn't need to see the vet (meaning, no "office call" extra charge) and 2) I was mis-quoted an amount (they actually charge twice what they said!) Now, I dropped Bella off and then came back to get her and when I called and when I came to pick her up, I had to use the receptionist as my middle-man to speak to the vet. It feels like a relay race!! The explainations I get are from someone who doesn't know anymore than exactly what the vet has said to them, so I can't ask any questions or ask for clarification on anything without having to go through another relay!!! I'm sorry, but if I have PAY for the vet to "examine" her, especially when she doesn't need examined at all (she's even been in recently), I ought to have, at the very least, paid for the right to speak with the vet about said examination!!!! Don't you think?? I think it was criminal to be charged for that anyway, but since I was, you'd think I could at least talk to her?!
My old vet I could call even when I hadn't been in recently, and he would call me back to answer whatever. Maybe call-backs are not something that vets normally do, but needless to say, I will be driving from now on to see my old vet, even though he does charge quite a bit more.....it is WORTH IT!!
Whew.....thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Anyone have any comments/insights for me?