Is this issue big enough to switch vets over?

[Reinell]

Hi everyone,

Had a bit of a scary day when my boy Rocky started vomitting blood this morning at 11:30. I immediately called his dogter who said they'd book him in for 2:30 - I asked if that wasn't too long ... the receptionist said if he was moving around he'd be OK.

Well, this is my BOY, he's like a child to me so I wasn't waiting with blood in his vomit and called another vet some friends of ours use and recommend. They got me in for 12:20. When I called to cancel the 2:30 appointment the receptionist said at that point that she could have gotten me in right away. I said no need as I already had another appointment. This same receptionist just called me back to apologize and say she didn't know I wanted to get him in right away. I mentioned to her that I asked her specifically if 2:30 wasn't too long of a wait and she apologized again for the miscommunication.

(Rocky seems to possibly have acute gastritis - infected stomach and got some medicine and special food but his tail started wagging again a few minutes ago so I am optomistic.)

My question is - is that enough to switch vets over or am I being petty? No issues with the vet that couldn't get me in right away, but I only chose that vet in the first place because they could get me in right away at an earlier crisis point. This new vet has really long and flexible hours so it may be a better fit.

Any comments/opinions?

Thanks so much,

[yorkiejunkie]

I think this may depend on how you feel about the actual doctor!
Long hours is good, making room in the schedule is good (and they have both done that)

What does your gut say to you about the treatment of the animal? That's what matters most!

[Ellie May]

I'd say no, it's not enough to switch over unless you really didn't find anything special about the first vet. If the two vets are the same as far as you're concerned, then I guess I'd go with the one who has better hours. However, since this was a receptionist and a lot of them don't know a thing about vet med, I'd stay if you like the vet. Some techs, assistants, and receptionists are great and some...aren't. I'm to the point where I have found an amazing vet and the support staff does not make a bit of difference to me (although they happen to be fine in our case). You can just override them by asking them to page the vet. And if a tech was doing something I didn't like, I'd just ask Ellie's vet to do it instead... So to me anyway, it's all about the vet. Now if she wasn't in that day...then we might be in trouble...

[Reinell]

Thanks for your comments!

The first vet is OK, nothing that special about him ... made me unhappy when River got her final set of puppy shots by giving her rabies too --- I thought they shouldn't be given all at the same time so I was not impressed with that and it got me thinking.

I agree that support staff is not as important, but it's a plus. This second vet I saw today seemed good too so I am not sure. Plus they have modern microchip technology (had to redo my boy today while I was there as he was given the old type of microchip that can only be read in North America, not Internationally) and modern screens in the exam rooms and he showed me the XRays on the screen and went through them with me. I liked that.

[tkking17]

Maybe you should try to talk to the actual (old) vet to see what he/she says about what happened. Not to try to get the support staff in trouble, but if I were the vet, I would be pretty livid at how the situation was handled. I find it hard to believe that a support staffer could have the knowledge via the phone to determine whether or not your puppy would be ok until 2:30.

Thank goodness you got him into another vet, glad to hear he is doing better!

[zcb]

she didn't know I wanted to get him in right away

If you like the vet then I don't think I'd switch but I would certainly tell the vet about the receptionist and the confusion about when you could come in.

[megansmomma]

I guess my opinion is different than the others~I would switch and not look back. Your little guy was THROWING UP BLOOD and the staff said you could wait. I know someone who's pup has gastritis and by the time she got her pup in to see the vet it was $2,000 and 3 nights in the hospital.

My vet and staff are all pretty wonderful but it did take me a few bad eggs to finally get there.

[LittlePuppyKiss]

I am picky about this, but I want a vet that will see us immediately if I feel the situation is an emergency. In my opinion, vomiting blood is an emergency and they should have had you come in immediately. Things can go downhill very quickly with our little ones.

You're going to have to go with your gut instinct here and go with the vet that you will feel will give the best care to your furbaby.

I'm glad his tail is wagging and he is feeling better.

[joeyandtanksmom]

My personal opinion (in no way, shape, or form am I trying to say that everyone else must think this way) is that the receptionist is just a dingbat. I can't remember, but if you didn't say that you needed an emergent appointment, you may do that in the future; let them know that this is an emergency. I definitely would have either pushed harder for a right away appointment, or I would have called another vet - throwing up blood shouldn't be taken lightly, and the receptionist really should know better! If you still feel comfortable with your vet, I wouldn't say to switch right away...unless you feel the switch is necessary because of the longer hours and stuff. I wouldn't read too much into the miscommunication. Was your baby ok? I sure hope so! Wishing him a speedy recovery!

[Sweet Apple]

If I've got an emergency, real or imaginary, I want to see my vet right now! If the help is incompetent, then I need to find a vet w/competent help...I switched vets, because I didn't care for the receptionist, and I love my vet, and the receptionist that I have now...It's all about relationship w/your vet and their people...It all needs to work for your peace of mind...That's my story, and I'm sticking to it...Everyone else just has to decide what makes their story true...All the best w/your decision....

[MorkieMomii]

This is how I would answer your question. I would google blood in vomit. I would research how serious this is and if it requires immediate attention. If you find out that a vet should really say "oh please come down to see us ASAP" then scrap that vet because they should have known that and you shouldn't have to search the net for the answers. But if you find all sorts if info and possible causes and it is usually not life threatening, then assume the vet new this and that is why they were not alarmed.

I know that with humans, red blood in vomit is not a cause for serious alarm, though should be checked out, however black blood(or old blood, will look like coffee) in vomit is a trip to emerg ASAP. For a pooch I would assume something similar.

[Reinell]

Thanks everyone. First thing I did when I saw the red clots of vomit in Rocky's blood was google it. Google said that blood in vomit can sometimes be fatal so it is always a case to go to the vet immediately.

I was also being unfair when I called the lady a receptionist - she's been a vet tech or similar - gives advice over phone etc. - for many years. I think they were busy and her personality is that she is a fanatic for appointments. I have come in without an appointment for general questions or something and this lady has a big attitude as she says we really should have had an appointment. I think it's a personal quirk of hers and this time it got her into a bit of hot water as the vet may lose a client who is super preventitive and willing to pay for the best care for her dogs ... lots of money.

I think I may switch, my puppy needs spay surgery and this place has better hours for that and a bit of a better price too.

[sarahheartmaddy]

Well, me being OCD, I would switch vets. I had issues with Maddy's first vet. She was not compassionate (did not pet Maddy or coax her when she was getting treated) and that really bothered me. Of course, it was not a urgent medical treatment, but it made me wonder if something serious DID happen, would she be lax and not be quick enough?

That concern alone, made me switch.

[Sweet Apple]

Originally Posted by sarahheartmaddy

Well, me being OCD, I would switch vets. I had issues with Maddy's first vet. She was not compassionate (did not pet Maddy or coax her when she was getting treated) and that really bothered me. Of course, it was not a urgent medical treatment, but it made me wonder if something serious DID happen, would she be lax and not be quick enough?

That concern alone, made me switch.

Wow, this is another reason I switched vets...The previous vet treated Apple like a box of rocks...My new vet, that ladyjane recommended, always coo coos my Apple and Buzz, gives them a nice pet, and then tells them how adorable they are...Besides that, she's always spot on w/diagnostics, very thorough w/her explanations, and doesn't take you to the cleaners, everytime you walk in the door...She's amazing....My kinda Vet!!!

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Reinell

Thanks everyone. First thing I did when I saw the red clots of vomit in Rocky's blood was google it. Google said that blood in vomit can sometimes be fatal so it is always a case to go to the vet immediately.

I was also being unfair when I called the lady a receptionist - she's been a vet tech or similar - gives advice over phone etc. - for many years. I think they were busy and her personality is that she is a fanatic for appointments. I have come in without an appointment for general questions or something and this lady has a big attitude as she says we really should have had an appointment. I think it's a personal quirk of hers and this time it got her into a bit of hot water as the vet may lose a client who is super preventitive and willing to pay for the best care for her dogs ... lots of money.

I think I may switch, my puppy needs spay surgery and this place has better hours for that and a bit of a better price too.

Based on the above comments, I would def change. I would talk to the vet to let him/her know why. The vet tech should probably read her job describtion again...she is not a vet.