Vet's 10 Most Common Complaints
 

By Patty Khuly, Special for USA TODAY

Some pet owners really get my goat. They're the ones whose moans, lamentations and outsized hand-wringing make me and my staff want to wring their necks. You know who they are. They're not your favorites, either. They're just as willing to regularly return food at restaurants and routinely declare war against anyone behind a counter. Tiresome, right?

In a veterinary environment, such whining takes on very specific forms. In an effort to exorcise the demons of a difficult week (and for your infotainment, of course), here's a list of the 10 most common pet owner complaints I hear:

• The free pet wail. "This FREE (fill in the blank species) is costing me hundreds of dollars!"

Need I explain why this grievance grates like nails on a chalkboard?

• Dental extraction denial.

"But I've had dogs my entire life and none has ever needed all this expensive dentistry — and all those extractions!"

Are you sure about that?

These owners want their pets to keep all their teeth but they're unwilling or unable to do what's necessary to mitigate the root cause: periodontal disease. Nor are they willing to accept that diseases sometimes truly are beyond our control.

• The sick pet protest.

A corollary to No. 2: "Why do all my pets get sick? How can this be? What are you going to do about it? Why isn't he getting any better?" Which I can only answer, "With your help, we will do our utmost to get your pets well again. We can only do as much as our technology and your cooperation (funds, sometimes) allows."

I understand this one, really I do. Partly because my family is commonly afflicted with all kinds of bizarre and stressful issues that aren't always treatable. But to effectively lodge a complaint against the veterinarian, as if it's the vet's fault that your pet has X disease (as many clients are wont to do) is completely unfair and highly counterproductive.

• The obesity whine.

"But she eats almost nothing! How am I supposed to get her to lose weight?"

I don't know, but something about her waistline tells me you're feeding her too much, regardless of what you consider a reasonable volume.

• The lost hair lament.

"You did NOT clip the hair between her toes!" or "Did you have to take off all that hair just to ultrasound her belly?"

Step away from the ledge and get a grip: It's just hair!

• She's been vomiting for two weeks but I need an appointment NOW.

It might be easy to say, "Your emergency is not our problem!" But the reality is, it is, seeing as it's not the patient's fault his owner waited until the last minute.

• I found her by the side of the road … is it OK if I just leave her here?

Much as I would like to help you (and I will), this is not a shelter. I expect you to do your part, too.

• "I need a payment plan …"

Which is a perfectly acceptable request that most of us can accommodate in some form or another (CareCredit is the one our hospital uses). But expecting the payment plan of your choice is another story. After all, a veterinary hospital shouldn't have to play health care provider and banker.

• The pet shop puppy nightmare.

You might be surprised by all the negativity I get from some owners as I explain the many problems their "well-researched" Internet purchase or "high quality" (read: expensive) pet shop puppy possesses. Everything from congenital eye diseases and heart murmurs to hereditary hip and knee diseases … people can get kind of testy.

But I'm just the messenger!

• Impatience is not a virtue.

When you show up 20 minutes after your appointment and expect to be seen quickly … well, let's just say your expectations are unrealistic.

So can you tell I've had a bad week? Even so, perhaps I should take my own advice and keep my grumblings to myself.

But then, it's probably already too late for that.


Vet's view: 10 most common complaints - USATODAY.com

In my opinion the list seems very valid . Looking at it from a Vet's point of view is a eye opener. I did , end up having to pay a bit extra money one time , for a Emergency visit. Even though I had come before closing. However, it did make them have to stay later.
I wonder what they think when the owner becomes emotional over their sick pet ? I admit I have cried in front of the vet over my sick or injured dog. Embarassing though, however, it did not seem to phase them. Thankfully. :dribble:

Great post! I agree 100% with their complaint list! :thumbup: Thanks for sharing! :D

Great list, but they forgot my number one complaint and that's those that say, "What do you mean it costs X to fix such and such, I can buy a new puppy cheaper than that!"

lol, so true!

I agree, wholeheartedly!

My girls are seen for annual check-ups, etc., and immediately if I observe anything I "feel" is off.

And, if I have an "emergency", they are taken in ahead of waiting patients.

Why?

Because my Vet knows that I take care of them, I'm never late for an appointment, never cancel an appointment at the last minute, never have felt the need to complain in the nearly 15 years of our relationship.

It's very wise to build a good relationship woth your Vet, because there almost always comes a time, when you need him/her immediately!

And, when they get older, and develop diseases, such as in my Sydney's CRF, they "know" what is "normal", and not "normal" for their patients.

I'm sure the list goes on and on.:D

The vet, the techs, and even the receptionist. I'm always patient on the phone, I show up early for appointments and wait patiently, and when Max had a Saturday morning emergency with his eye, I politely asked if there was any way they could fit me in. Of course, they did. I thanked them profusely.

Great post!!!

Chocolate also goes a long way. ;)

:thumbup::thumbup: LOL, I missed them over the holidays, but I plan on bringing the office something this spring when we have our annual checkups.

I always believe it is best to be polite especially to the people who are going to take care of your dog. When Buster went in for his LP surgery it was at Halloween. I gave a big plastic pumpkin full of candy, nuts, treats for the doctors, vet techs, and the front desk with Buster's picture in his Vampire costume thanking them for taking such good care of him. Buster was quite popular that visit.:D

It might not have been the candy... I must say that Buster is adorable in his vampire costume!!!! :love:

Thanks :hearts-xx

:thumbup: I try to act the same way. I've been the one rushing in with an emergency situation and appreciate the way they have to prioritize. I'm patient and friendly when the doctor is running late because I expect that he's also going to give my baby every minute of attention he needs and not rush us out the door. I can't imagine some of the things they must hear from pet owners - I'm sure this list is only a fraction of what this doctor could've said.