Good and Bad Veterinarian Experiences

Before I start, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who have dropped by send us their support and prayers when China left for the Rainbow Bridge.

The Bad Veterinarian

Okay, first topic. What makes a bad veterinarian?

A bad veterinarian is...

1. A veterinarian who doesn't seem to care about your dog's (or cat's) welfare.

e.g. Chooey's old vet was awful. She would only replace Chooey's bandages without asking how the dog actually was.

Note: This was the veterinarian who, while injecting Chooey with antibiotics, left the syringe on Chooey's leg as Chooey was wailing in pain (because of the broken jaw), screaming and squirming like there's no tomorrow. Whether it was due to frustration (of Chooey's overly uncooperative state) or inexperience, I don't know.

2. A veterinarian who is arrogant and looks down at his/her client's lack of information. e.g. When China was admitted for erlichia, I asked her what she'd suggest because we couldn't afford all the tests to be done. She kept on insisting that all of them had to be done even when I had told her that I couldn't afford all the tests at that time.  I was hoping she'd advise me on what the most important test was and what affordable treatment would work. Once I told her what I thought was best (to do all the tests and have China treated depending on the findings with no admission), she says, "Why don't we do this instead since I know more than you do." Didn't I ask for her expert opinion awhile ago? Isn't the reason why I am asking too many questions is because I have no idea what to do?  Did this veterinarian really have to say what she said on my face? 3. A veterinarian who does not explain to the us why such a procedure is needed to be done and what other options we have. This may not have have happened with this former vet. However, this was the reason we switched vets back in my hometown. That old veterinarian was also over confident saying that because Shark was a year old, it was impossible for him to get Parvo.

4. A veterinarian who makes excuses saying the dog isn't cooperating.

When Chooey was brought to the vet to have her bandage replaced, I asked that they cut the fur on her muzzle because it was gathering dirt. This veterinarian said that she couldn't cut it because Chooey was moving too much.

Dr. M is one amazing veterinarian. She's like a Cesar Milan protégé with her no-messing-with-the-vet growl to stop Chooey from squirming.

Ironically, when we brought Chooey last week to meet her colleague, this colleague cut my little Shih Tzu's fur on the muzzle in a manner that's almost effortless.

The Good Veterinarian

Some considerations when choosing a vet...

This is Dr. K. She's an awesome vet. Unfortunately. she's no longer practicing in the clinic we go to.

Choose a vet...

1. who is passionate in his/her practice.

2. who asks about your pet's welfare even when simply striking a normal conversation.

3. who practices veterinary medicine for the sake of helping pets and not mainly to make a business out of it.

4. who does his best to explain our dog's (or pet's) current situation- explaining all the options for us to consider.

5. who understands that not everybody can afford the all vet treatment.

Note: While I understand that some would say that there's no point in taking care of a dog when you can't afford veterinary care, some vet treatment costs can catch us off-guard. Other pet owners choose to bring their dogs to the vet hoping whatever budget they have will suffice (or at least get maximized to remedy the medical situation) .

6. who doesn't simply depend on what they learned in books but also considers real life situations.