Which vet to pick? Dilemma!
 

We are looking to switch vets. Mainly because I feel like our current vet is a total rip off - they always want us to medicate or vaccinate unnecessarily and their prices are high too. The reason we went to them in the first place was because Franklin was treated for Parvo there (the e-vet recommended them). I felt comfortable with them because they had treated him for a week so I felt like they knew him well.

We are looking into finding another vet. I've narrowed it down to two - one is a place that Franklin and Maggie were spayed/neutered at, and the other is a holistic vet. I really want to see the holistic vet for many reasons. The first is that they even give Lepto OR Bordetella. Second, this vet specializes in nutrition and I'd like to learn more about that. Lastly, they don't charge an office visit fee, something I ethically am comfortable with. Here is the problem - they are 45 minutes away. I don't mind driving the distance if we were only going once or twice a year.. however, I am concerned about there being an emergency or something, and I'd hate to have to drive all that way if they needed to go often.

The second option is quite close -- about 10 minutes away. I've spoken with them and they don't give Lepto to small dogs (my old vet always pushed it on us). Maggie and Franklin have been there before and I like the office staff. They don't specialize in holistic medicine so that's a disadvantage but they are easily accessible.

The price difference is ~$10 so that's not a concern at all. I just don't know which I should pick. What do you guys think? :confused:

I think the people on YT who lean toward the holistic side are going to tell you to go 45 minutes away and the people who prefer traditional medicine are going to tell you to go 10 minutes away.:p

I prefer traditional medicine and therefore would choose the closer office. However, you have to do what you're comfortable with. If you really want a holistic vet, you can always use them and go closer to home for emergencies. Just get a copy of everything the holistic vet does and if there is an emergency, you can take the folder to an ER vet.

Why not go to both. Go to the holistic vet onece or twice a year but use the closer vet for your regular vet. I use 3 different vets for my dogs. One is 20 mins away and the other are over an hour but are much better equipped for surgeries. I would have to use my close one in an emergency so its good to have one close you have a relationship with

I would do both aswell. Whenever Layla is sick (Knock on wood its been ages) I like to approach it both holistically and traditionally. You could go to whichever depending on what the situation was and see how you can combine the two.

I too feel you can use both vets. Use the traditional care vet for routine care and emergencies but use the holistic one for nutritional needs. I know holistic vets have a place in the care of our pets but I'm not 100% sold on the idea of one being our only vet.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions! We will try both.. I think for this first yearly checkup we will go to the traditional vet and then in the future I will schedule additional appointments with the holistic.