There's Something to be said about Country Vets!

ACampbell · 05-16-2008, 07:37 PM

Ok, so we had a minor emergency tonight. Lily, somehow, managed to rip her side open while outside going potty, no yip, nothing...just came in with this tear (probably on a nail outside or something). Not a minor tear, but down into the muscle on her ribs in a L shape (probably 1 inch by 1 inch)
I called the E-vet, 30 miles away (it definetely needed some stitches, big flap of skin hanging loose and all) they had an emergency voicemail - it's been an hour and a half and they STILL haven't called me back.
So I called around to my local vets, one is out of town, the other answered the phone and said to be there in 15 minutes. I got a geography lesson out of it as well since I had no idea where their office was (my office is on the military base and doesn't do emergencies at all - thats where I got the E-vet number 30 miles away)
So I find the vet after about 10 minutes (he wasn't very far away) and he was already ready with everything out...Lily is now missing a patch of skin on her side so the pattern doesn't match anymore, silly puppy!
Now for the surprising part, it was after 8 PM by the time we were done. When I asked him how much I owed him (after listening to the $120 to walk in the door at the E-vet nothing would have shocked me) and he said $15.
I was about floored. Of course I don't have cash on me, so I'm like ok not a problem, but he didn't have a debit card machine so I was like "Uhmmmmm" and he goes "It's ok, just stop by on Monday and we'll give her the rabies vac at the same time so it's just 1 payment"

Talk about one cool vet! I think I'll be switching vets now - I had a truly great experience, he was nice and understanding and best yet, likes Pitbulls. He's also about 80 years old and told me "I work when I feel like working but I'm always available".

So, hooray for the country small town vets!

ChrissyBz · 05-16-2008, 07:49 PM

You Bet! Glad you found one that still seems to be in it for more than the money. Isn't it nice?

ACampbell · 05-16-2008, 07:55 PM

Yeah it is, he reminds me of our horse vet in Arizona...down to earth and not in it to gouge Joe Schmoe, the blue collar worker. That's why I was going to the military base, because it's more affordable than going to the bigger animal hospitals and paying through the nose for little things like vaccinations. That kills me, I can buy the vaccination (the DHLPP) for $7 at Tractor Supply - but take them to the vet for the same shot (and same brand shot the vet uses) and it's at least double if not more. I agree that pets need vaccinations...but is it fair to gouge people that badly for something that takes 2 seconds to do? Thank GOD I was raised on a ranch.
We used to pay $50 for a HOUSE CALL...not to walk in the office (which was free) and the vet had to drive 20+ miles to our house for a house call (this was for horses and sometimes in the middle of the night if we had a mare having trouble foaling or a bad case of colic) the vet we had before that had to drive almost 90 miles to our house and charged $100...not unreasonable considering the mileage - then again we had the largest horse ranch in the area so we were a "premier customer" LOL. I guess the days of the affordable vet are almost done and they are far and few between anymore...what we used to pay for a house call some people pay to go in the office, before anything is done. I think that's rather sad.

briteday · 05-16-2008, 09:09 PM

I've recently found a new vet in our area that is much the same as your country vet. I loved our old vet, used his practice for 25 years. However he took in a younger associate to eventually turn his practice over to and she makes no bones about the fact that she is the one who insisted that prices needed to be raised. Well, some of us can't afford to pay $400 for a dental because the new vet decided they needed a special "dental tech" and all new equipment. She is also on board with every pharmaceutical vet and has given several neighbor's dogs very expensive anti-inflammatories when simple aspirin had done well in the past.

The new vet is $35 for an office visit, no ups / no downs. He's up to date with vaccination philosophies (less is better) and just asks that we bring the animals in yearly so he can keep his files up to date on them. His visits are pleasant with plenty of time for small talk about the dog or cat I've brought in, 30 minutes or more sometimes. He even indulges my teenager in a trip to the back clinic for discussion and observation of the latest interesting cases. The office staff is friendly and so far has been the same people every time. Payment at the time of service is appreciated but I've been told that my word and handshake is good enough should something need taking care of while we will be out of town this summer and have someone else watching our animals.

I was so impressed that I brought them Starbucks coffee on my last visit and they had a pot brewed when I got to the receptionist and invited me to a cup!

ACampbell · 05-16-2008, 09:13 PM

Yep, I was thinking the same thing. Since he took time out of his evening to stitch up my puppy and get her fixed up I think that deserves something above and beyond just a payment!
This is how it should be, and I'm content. If I had known (I assumed and yeah I shouldn't have) that they couldn't take a debit card I would have brought cash. Guess that's something I should get used to though.

Now, any suggestions on what would be nice to bring in on our visit on Monday? We live in a tiny village so I was thinking something in the way of a Thank you card and not sure what else?

Durbkat · 05-16-2008, 09:35 PM

Sounds like an awesome vet. If that had happened to Snoopy, even though the vet lives upstairs, he wouldn't answer and their voicemail would say to go to the emergency vet. But if they didn't take credit cards they'd be like "yea...you can't have your dog back till you pay us.".

Perhaps you can hire a barber shop singing group to thank them.

ChrissyBz · 05-16-2008, 09:56 PM

A, cookies or a loaf of home made bread always goes over well at my vet's office.

5 s corral · 05-16-2008, 11:28 PM

can ya send him to new york please
i got charged 35.00 bucks for them to shave my dogs butt because of her anel glands by time i left there it was 360.00 and i walked out with a bottle of antibiotics and a cream just to walk it it was 50.00 i miss the country vets for sure
glad your furbaby is ok
jamie

Willowy · 05-16-2008, 11:30 PM

Haha, if I go to my vet on a Saturday, I have to bring cash....he doesn't know ho to work the credit/debit card machine, and the receptionist is off on weekends. But, yeah, he is a country vet, too, and will give it to you straight. I took my cousin's kitty to him for a vaccination, and asked him about the cat's runny eyes. He asked if his eyes have always been like that (they have), so he said "well, don't expect it to change now", LOL. Another vet would have offered a few expensive tests, or maybe a round of unnecessary antibiotics. I wouldn't go to him for the latest treatments, though. I can't see him giving chemo to a cat or something like that. But for basic stuff he's great, and affordable. Doesn't even charge an office fee. My mom's vet charges $17.00 just to walk in the door.

ACampbell · 05-16-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5 s corral

can ya send him to new york please
i got charged 35.00 bucks for them to shave my dogs butt because of her anel glands by time i left there it was 360.00 and i walked out with a bottle of antibiotics and a cream just to walk it it was 50.00 i miss the country vets for sure
glad your furbaby is ok
jamie

Uhm, he's already in New York...hehe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willowy

Haha, if I go to my vet on a Saturday, I have to bring cash....he doesn't know ho to work the credit/debit card machine, and the receptionist is off on weekends. But, yeah, he is a country vet, too, and will give it to you straight. I took my cousin's kitty to him for a vaccination, and asked him about the cat's runny eyes. He asked if his eyes have always been like that (they have), so he said "well, don't expect it to change now", LOL. Another vet would have offered a few expensive tests, or maybe a round of unnecessary antibiotics. I wouldn't go to him for the latest treatments, though. I can't see him giving chemo to a cat or something like that. But for basic stuff he's great, and affordable. Doesn't even charge an office fee. My mom's vet charges $17.00 just to walk in the door.

Yep thats what I like. No sugar coating, no BS. All he said was "Ouch that looks like it hurts" sprayed some numbing stuff in it, cut a nice chunk of skin off and says to me "I know it looks gruesome but it will fit back together better like this" and started stitching away. Then he said what a nice puppy I had (guess the area wasn't totally frozen at the bottom because she yelped on the 2nd stitch and buried her head under my arm) and to make sure she had all her shots, when I told him I'd given her the DHLPP he said to make sure I gave her the booster in a month and that he'd do the rabies vaccination when I came in to pay on Monday...hehe. Saved me a trip (my vet appt was for Monday for her rabies shot anyway but it was 30 miles away)