Questions for New Vet (mrstjohnson)

When I moved I questioned all my co-workers about the different services that they would recomend, including dentist, hairstylist, vet and daycare.

Even though they were not technically my friends (yet) I was able to find a really great vet and made the connection, through dogs, with my new co-workers.

I would ask around. Lot's of places can 'seem' like nice clinics - clean, organized, etc. but the staffing could be horrible.

I asked in the egroups that I'm in. I'm in an agility egroup in my area and a doggy egroup for my city. I presented the specifics that I needed in a vet (good with nutrition and dogs who engage in sports) and posed the question. I got a lot of good responses. Then I called those vets that were recommended and questioned whoever answered the phone. I could tell by the way that they answered if they knew what they were talking about or not. 

VanMorrison

When I moved I questioned all my co-workers about the different services that they would recomend, including dentist, hairstylist, vet and daycare.

That's the problem, in Michigan I don't really know any dog people.  The office I am relocating to has two people and I am one of them (I am starting up the office).  I was looking for a general list of questions that I could ask a vet to help with the screening process.

I know there are a few ppl from Michigan on here - you might want to check with them and see if they have any contacts in the area you are moving to

 Oh that's right, you are moving to SE MI.  Where exactly? I'm from SE MI but live in Lansing now but Ann (Maxs Mom) lives down that way and can hook you up with some good vet recommendations.

Lisa,

I may have friends in the Sterling Heights area. I can ask around for you. At least give you some names to check out for yourself.

I know when we moved to Livonia, we had my friend as a vet but she lived out of the area. So we needed a local vet for times we could not get with her. We had to take Shadow once (don't remember why now) but they treated me fairly condenscending made me watch a stupid video on geriatric dogs! Didn't ask me if I felt it would be helpful, didn't ask me anything to evaluate me as an owner, very ignorant on their part. Then we took Belle there for her spay. OMG it was AWFUL!!! We never went back. I just happened to need a vet to take out Max's staples after her surgery. We went down the street to the closest vet clinic. They were SO nice, the vet asked all sorts of questions, genuinely concerned in our case (we just needed staples removed) gave us helpful information, didn't charge for the visit (we were not clients...yet) Needless to say we have been back several times and are extremely happy with our vet.
 

Questions I would ask:

What is their vaccination policy?  (Does coincide w/ what you're looking for?)

How do they handle payments?  All at the end, some up front some at the end (for major things), do they take Care Credit?

Do they do any lab work in house or is it all sent out?  Will they send out to places at your request?

How long have they been a vet?

That's all I can think of right now, but I know there is tons more...

Really though, my biggest think is if I like how I'm treated by them.  Am I talked down to?  Will they listen to my ideas?  Do I feel stupid asking questions?

Maxs Mom

I may have friends in the Sterling Heights area. I can ask around for you. At least give you some names to check out for yourself.

Yep, we are moving to Sterling Heights.  That would be great if you could ask around and just shoot me a PM or email.  None of my friends have vets they are happy with so we are kind of at a loss.

We got so lucky with our vet here, I just can't imagine being that lucky again without doing some research.  Charlie's vet loves him and loves on him every time we go so he loves going there.  That's the type of person I am looking for.  I genuinely feel that she CARES about him, he's just not another dog.

More questions:

• Do they carry vaccines that do not use Thimerosal (mercury) as a preservative?
• Are they willing to write a prescription if you wish to use a different heartworm med than the one(s) they carry?
• Do they have a yard for walking dogs (or at least double leash when they use slip leads)? 
• Are you allowed to stay with your pet during most procedures?
• Can you visit your dog if she is in the hospital?
• If a hospitalized pet is extremely panicky, could you set up a cot for the night?
• Is there is an isolation room for the sick animals that can spread disease?
• Is someone on duty all night to take care of patients?
• Do they answer after-hours/holiday emergency calls or refer them to an emergency clinic?  If an emergency clinic, there is another clinic to interview (experience, location, cost).  What access does the emergency clinic have to the dog's medical records?
• Is there any care they cannot provide in their office (e.g. taking blood pressure)? How are these areas dealt with?
• Do they consider making house calls for special situations (e.g. euthanasia)?
• Are they active members of the AVMA or other veterinary organizations?
• What on-going education do they take part in?
• How do they feel about holistic medicine?
• What pets do the vets have?

Be sure to

• Ask for a copy of the clinic/hospital's policies and procedures.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau and your local state veterinary board to see if there have been any complaints or disciplinary actions against or investigations into the veterinarian in question.
• Tour the entire facility.

Janet_Rose - this is perfect!!!  Thank you so much!!!  I'm off to start making calls!

Here's another recommendation for you from the michigan dog rescue group:

Dr. Wilson at Sterline Heights Animal Hospital on Van ***
between 17 and 18 mile roads is fantastic.

Jewlieee

Here's another recommendation for you from the michigan dog rescue group:

 

Dr. Wilson at Sterline Heights Animal Hospital on Van ***
between 17 and 18 mile roads is fantastic.

Excellent!!  Thank you so much!!  That is a perfect location!!!

mrstjohnson

Thank you so much!!!  I'm off to start making calls!

Happy to help.  I didn't repeat TheDogHouseBCMPD's questions - don't leave out those.

The vaccine issues that TheDogHouseBCMPD mentioned are a really important area for me.  Things like

• Do they use vaccines with Thimerosal (mercury) as a preservative.  It has been removed from most (all?) children's vaccines.
• Do they use multi-dose vials?  This increases the risk of contamination.
• Do they give Corona or Giardia vaccines?  Neither is recommended by the AAHA.
• What are their policies on giving Lepto vaccines?  Due to the high rate of reactions (including anaphylactic shock) the AAHA recommends that only high risk dogs receive this vaccine.  Pups under 12 weeks and toy dogs are at particular risk.
• Will you get a lot of flack if you choose not to follow the vet's recommended vaccine schedule?
• Will the vet do titers (blood tests for immunity) if you request it?
• If your locality still requires yearly rabies shots, does the vet support changing the legal requirement to every 3 years as supported by the AAHA.

Big red flags for me:

• Vets that give big combo shots that include Corona and Lepto.
• Vets that do not support the rabies shot being given every 3 years.  This is a clinic income vs health issue.

Notes on Lepto:

• People can contract Lepto.
• The canine vaccine is only good for 6-8 months so two shots a year are required for full protection.
• Vaccines protect against at most 4 of the 8 strains of Lepto.  Protection against one strain provides no protection against another strain.
• The prevalent strains (if any) in your area can change from year to year so you may be trying to hit a moving target.
• http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1556&articleid=454