[Ellie May]

I can understand an owner being upset about having to wait. So next time I'd just do like gemy said and talk about your expectations first. If they knew it was a big deal to you, they would have made sure to update you (or would have told you to call by x time and see how things were progressing).

I think what separates cheap vets and expensive vets is almost always the services they offer. Most cheap vets have very little to offer. They (cheaper vets) also tend to be (but are not always) out on their own. So collaboration with colleagues is less frequent. I wouldn't like that for my pups.

My vet would have done the same as this vet did. If the deal was pick-up is by 6, she isn't going to stop her day or make her vet stop her day to say they are behind. ..because they really aren't behind if the owner already agreed to this. They probably already skipped most of their lunch break for those emergencies. There just isn't enough time. That said, when it is your pup's turn, my vet calls during the dental before she starts extractions and such to get an ok because dental estimates are hard (don't know what you'll get into until you get into it). In that way, the financial decisions are in the owner's hands alone and there are no surprises. It's one on one care, but not at the expense another animal crashing or a staff going crazy.