Ever since I moved from down south upstate to where I live now, my cats and other pets have mostly all gone to the same location for veterinary services. With the exception of pet rats that I took to a different vet in an adjacent town, they all (speaking basically of my cats) went to a local vet right in my same town. For different purposes, I do not wish to share the name of this vet but people that personally know me can figure it out.
Over time I've been less than pleased with the service I've gotten. Initially from their first visit, you'd think they'd get updated on any and all shots they should get. As well as any procedures or tests that may be necessary. However, by the 2nd or 3rd visits some of the cats would have they'd be suddenly offering me a shot or a test on something that is recommended. And when I say 2nd and 3rd visits, I'm talking about their yearly examinations - so this would be like the 2nd or 3rd year after we'd have been living back in this area. If my cat needed a shot or test done for something, why not bring it up at that visit?!
I'm not someone who's made out of money. Most people that I know in this area are not either. So when I've gone to my appointments for my cats, either on the phone in advance or upon signing in with the receptionist at the actual visit I have inquired as to how much the whole visit might cost. Ya know, so I would make sure to have enough cash or money in my checking account to cover things. Let's say they would quote me in either case that "it'll be $40." By the time the visit is over with and I am paying for the exam and everything....it often in almost ever case has ended up coming out to like $60 or something. I'm of course using examples of $40 and $60 here, but readers should get the gist of what I'm saying. What I am quoted and what I receive are not ever the same thing.
Things there that any of my cats have needed have also seemed a bit overpriced. At times I've had to get cat toothpaste, medicine, and other assortments of goodies. So not every visit have I even left with the stuff I've either needed or have wanted to purchase.
The attending veterinarian has been hit-and-miss. At times I have gotten a really wonderful man who has seemed attentive and helpful and informative and sincere about the work he's done. At other times I have gotten a woman who seems a bit aloof at times, merely asking questions to pretend to be caring and then glazing over any response I've given. This is not a sexist remark by any means, this is simply the difference in attitude and conduct on behalf of these two associates at the same vet office. The front desk receptionists have also seemed a bit odd at times. More attentive to some customers than to others, more friendly to some people than others. Hello! I'm bringing in my cat(s) to get checked out and to get their shots. I'm no more better or worse than the next person who may have a dog! I'm a customer, all customers are equal, we all love our pets, and whether you know us or not don't treat us like a number. Maybe if I walked in there with a dog I'd get more respect from these people. And yes, that is a judgmental statement.
The last visit was one of the most aggervating. I went in for a 3rd check up on my cat Athena for a mouth issue she's had that has persisted for a while now. I arrived at the vet at just about 9:03am or so for an appointment that was scheduled for 9:00am that morning. Ok, so I was like 3 minutes late. But it was early in the morning, was on a Friday, and there were no other cars in the parking lot or customers waiting in the reception area. So I wasn't holding anything up. No one at the front desk. I could hear voices out back and people were chit chatting about who knows what. So I now people were there working but where were they?! If there was a bell or something to ring, I would have done so. If I had my cell phone with me I would have called right into the vet office I was standing in in hopes of someone either answering the phone or coming out to the front desk so that they would be aware of my presence. I stood there waiting for nearly 10+ minutes before they got done goofing around (?) and someone came out to where I was. No explanation, no "sorry for keeping you waiting", nothing. Not so much as a single word on apologizing. Nothing. I was given the look and attitude of "yes, can I help you?" The same thing when I was in the exam room with Athena and the lady acted as though the world was good. I legitimately brought up my gripe about being kept waiting and all I got in return was some lame excuse that they were doing business stuff out back. Not really because the few bits and pieces that I heard when I was waiting was not of professional conducting business issues. I even think I heard someone talk about cake at one point. Still, I didnt get a sincere apology or anything. That left me feeling like I was just another number, just another person coming into the office to give my money and then leave. I care about my pets and their condition and how they're doing.
I'm not the only one who's felt like this as one day at my full-time job I overheard someone in the break room talking about being displeased with their service and attitude as well.
My new dilemma is this. The man at the office that I referred to earlier who seemed polite and genuine has since left the particular office, and has since started his own vet office here in the same town. I've been thinking of switching all of my cats to go see him. My only concern is how much different would things be. How would his price for service(s) compare.... How easy would it be to simply start taking them to him and not from their current vet.... Is it possible for me to inquire about getting copies of the medical history report (?!) from my current vet on all my cats to take with me to this new vet so that he can be updated on their past history and now what they'd need now, if anything, and what they'd need in the future.
If anyone reading this has gone to either vet in my local area, what do you think? Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions? Comments? Your own experiences on things? I'd like to hear from anyone.
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