how did you pick your vet?
 

Hi! well Gilbert is set to get his next set of shots in 2 weeks when he is 10weeks. Ive never had a puppy this small so I'm not sure how to go about picking a vet. I love petsmart and I am thinking of using them. they have a good package for puppies and it even includes neutering. so how did you pick your vet? has anyone had experienced with petsmart bannfield clinic?

I made an appointment with the potential vet, for an "interview." I asked several questions, and chose one based on their answers, experience, personality, and of course reviews. While I was waiting for the vet, I spoke with several other people in the waiting room to get their feedback. Ian's vet sees a lot of yorkies, which is good.

I have never used a clinic for Ian, so I don't know about PetSmart's clinic.

what were some questions you asked? I am going to day to look at the clinic and I just want to be prepared

I chose mine based on recommendations from neighbors and trying out the vet after I wasn't happy with our first one. I like our vet's demeanor, office staff, and the fact that I can call with questions any time.

Some people here recommend AAHA-accredited vets. In my area, the one that is accredited is not that great and not to my liking.

Here is the website: https://www.aahanet.org/

Banfield has a lot of mixed reviews that tend toward the negative. I've heard many complaints that they over-vaccinate, over-treat, and are pricey. I don't have personal experience with them.

I tried a few different vets and picked the one i liked best ..
It just happens to be 2 minutes from my house..:)

I new I didn't want to go with the last vet I went to, whose practice started out all about the pet and over years became all about the money.

So I asked friends & coworkers who they used. I narrowed it down to two places & then went in for a meet & greet and to tour the facility and talk to the vets & techs, and then I made my choice. I couldn't be happier. Great vet with a great caring staff, who squeeze you in for serious concerns, and don't push unwanted extras on you, aren't into over-vaccinating, & had no issues about referring you to specialists or the nearby vet school.

Another thing to look for is a local ER for emergencies. I like that our ER communicates with our vet, sends all of the paperwork over to our vet the next day in case we need to follow up with care.

I just read reviews on banfield :( they are so bad now I am looking to find another vet in my area.

I agree with those reviews about Banfield, I won't go back to them.

You're quite a ways away, but I'd like to put a good word in for Richmond Avenue Animal Clinic here in Houston. GREAT Doctors and staff. Full service..X-Ray, Lab, Intensive Care...they got it all.

I got a reference to them from someone here on the Forum...
forgot who, but, thank you for it !!! :thumbup:

Wish I could offer an opinion, but we're on opposite sides of town and I'm unfamiliar with vet practices on the east side of town. However, you are definitely making the right decision regarding Banfield.

I just picked a close random vet when I first brought him home as a pup. I wasn't happy with them. We only went there for puppy check-up and two sets of shots.

He got neutered at a really nice clinic near my dads house and got his rabies shot there.

Then we did not need to see a vet for a while, so I just never looked. When he came up limping one day, I called the original vet (where we had puppy vax done) and said he had been completely holding his back leg up for 2 days and they told me they could get me in like 4 days from then... I said no thank you and Google'd and found one 5 mins from my house that could take him that day.

We've stuck with them ever since... They are definitely not the cheapest, but I like that it's close, the staff is always nice and knowledgeable, they have never pushed anything at me (as far as vaccines or food goes or unnecessary procedures), the vet I personally see is very knowledgeable, and realistic, I really like her. Jax is terrified of vets so I really appreciate that they are not rough with him, and very gentle and kind. They do have a holistic vet on staff but it's mostly traditional/modern. But it's nice having the option if I ever need it. They also are really cool how they update their Facebook and have contests and are involved in the community.

Banfield are crooks! Plain and simple. Our original small town vet opened one and we followed him (he was the best vet we've ever encountered) and a year after he opened, he left Banfield because of how they were charging his patients. We would've followed him but he switched to a place over two hours away.

With our new pup, Jack we asked our groomer. She was our Max's best friend and we trust her so much with our babies. The new vet, is now a dream! Jack was a bit ill over the holiday weekend and his new vet offered to come in at night if his symptoms changed, etc.

If you have a good relationship with your groomer or even have a great pet store by you, (we have a Cherrybrook) ask them. They also recommended the same vet we are now at so we were pretty secure in our decision to go there.

I notice there is a VCA in Pasadena: http://local.vcahospitals.com/main/free-pet-exam/form/market/houston/g26420?utm_content=market&kshid=p.1045.59bcb656-f7e5-7ee9-1246-00002ea36058.kw456110&mm_keyword=kw_456110&mm_camp aign={K_CT_NUMBER}&utm_source=Google&utm_campaign= Houston_General_EC&mm_replace=TRUE&utm_medium=cpc& utm_term=+veterinarian

I used them years ago, not this location, but the one in Sugar Land. My experience with them was very favorable as far as the vets and staff go. The facilities are great, they have specialists on staff, and the one I went to was open 24 hours, which came in VERY handy one night 18 years ago when I had a hypoglycemic pup on my hands. My only issue with them is that they seemed to be too high priced, and I guess that's due to the fact that they are not stand-alone vet practices, they are a nation-wide network with a corporate structure overhead that has to be paid for. But I did not have any complaints with any of the vets or any care received.

If you can't find a good referral for another practice, you can always start at VCA. They've got a coupon at the link above that will get you the first exam free. You can use that to evaluate and interview them. If you haven't seen a vet yet, even though it isn't time for shots yet, go get your pup checked out. That should have been done in the first day or two after they came home with you, if you haven't done it already.

If you don't get other referrals, this will buy you some time. And you may even decide that you want to stick with them. I did, for several years until I moved farther out.

He was close and he is open on Saturdays we went in and like his personality and knowlege

No to Banfield! I had their "insurance" & when it was time to spay & have some baby teeth pulled their add-ons cost more than the best vets in town! I had to put up a HUGE stink to get out of the plan. (This was 8 years ago but I heard they haven't changed)