Vet/pet question

[Deleted]

If you drop your pet off at the vet for a surgery or procedure of some kind, does the staff call you to inform you of your pet's status/progress at any point?

We switched veterninarian clinics with our new pup (my mom's vet in a large multi-doc practice) from a small practice I used with previous pets because we moved to another part of town and I'm pretty disappointed in what I've seen so far.

Just wondering if it's commonplace to have to call multiple times to know if your dog survived surgery?

[riverpestie]

I usually ask for them to call me when the surgery is done and my pet is awake and doing well.
If they don't call within a certain reasonable time frame, my ass is calling them!

[buddysmom]

How long did you wait before you ended up calling?

My vet is a small town vet, but when I drop my dogs off for surgery they may not be the first patients of the day. So, I always confirm what time their surgery is scheduled and the estimated length. I usually get a call later in the day to let me know everything is ok and what time to pick up. I've only had to call twice - once was due to an emergent situation that came in after one of my boys, the second time was due to complications with my big dog that they were working through.

My advice is to make friends with the receptionist! Ours puts Buddy in her shirt and carts him around until his surgery/procedure starts, then lets him sit on her lap the rest of the day as he recovers or until I can get him She will let me know what time the procedure starts and also if there are any complications as they occur. She's pure gold!

[Deleted]

They had me have her there at 7:30, nobody else was there. I called at 11 AM, she still hadn't been back. I called again at 1 and they said they had just finished up the case before hers and would get started soon. I requested they call me and they did once she was under and again when she was done. I expected this to be a common courtesy but apparently it isn't. My old vet called for everything and I am questioning my decision to switch now. They have 6 receptionists at this new practice so I am going to try to get in good with at least one of them. I am stalking the website and it looks like I may have graduated with one of them.

[riverpestie]

If you're more comfortable with your other vet and it is feasible to continue to go there, that's what I would do.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2014 17:21:29 GMT -5 riverpestie said:

If you're more comfortable with your other vet and it is feasible to continue to go there, that's what I would do.

I'm going to speak with my husband this evening because it's quite a haul out to our old vet, but I feel like I would be more comfortable trusting the pup with them. I'm also trying not to overreact because this clinic we switched to is highly recommended and I did like the two docs we've seen (shots and whatnot).

[riverpestie]

When I moved away from my favorite vet, it killed me! I ended up driving about an hour each way to take them there, because I couldn't find another place that I liked enough to bring them there. Obviously, that sucks for emergencies, but I was close to an emergency vet.

I have lived in Austin for over 2 years now and I STILL haven't found a vet I like, and I have tried 5.   In January, I will have tried 6!
You gotta do what you gotta do and I am a HUGE proponent of being as picky as you want when it comes to animals' vet care. You can never be too picky. 

Good Luck with your decision! I know it's a tough one.

[buddysmom]

Hmmm,it sounds like they called you at the standard times. If you like everything except this experience I'd give it another try and just plan to be a little more clear on what your expectations are, as well as what their standards of practice are. That way you can both ensure you are on the same page.

That being said, there are a TON of vets within a 5 mile radius of my home. Yet I drive an hour for my dogs because I really feel a connection to our vet and can't imagine taking them elsewhere. So, any decision you make is the right one as long as you are advocating for your pets

[Deleted]

Oh man, riverpestie, I do hope you find one you like. I know a few people in Austin that I could ask for referrals if you'd like.

[riverpestie]

Dec 30, 2014 17:34:27 GMT -5 @libellula said:

Oh man, riverpestie, I do hope you find one you like. I know a few people in Austin that I could ask for referrals if you'd like.

That'd be GREAT!!!

The one I am trying in Jan. if my FI's soccer teammate's practice, but her hours during the week aren't conducive to mine, so I have to take Raven there on Saturday to see the other vet at her clinic. :::sigh:::
When I called to make the appointment, I didn't get the warm fuzzies from the girl on the phone. 
I almost want to drive back to Galveston (3+ hours away) for their appointments, but that obviously isn't ideal. 

[Deleted]

I have sent a message and I will PM you when I hear back. I have family in Del Valle and Bastrop and then friends/colleagues in North Austin.

[fayeelle]

It really depends on the office as well as caseload for the day.
When we admit a patient in the morning we explain what is happening and it what order...
"Max looks great. We'll go draw his blood right now. As soon as thats done he will get a premed to relax him a bit and we'll place his IV cath next. I expect his surgery to take 45 min all together. We have 4 other surgeries/procedures today and triage them according to severity and/or if one is more anxious than others. As soon as Max is awake we will call you and confirm your discharge time."

If there are multiple surgeries and even 1 becomes more complicated than expexted and an emergency comes in its going to b

[riverpestie]

Dec 30, 2014 17:45:18 GMT -5 @libellula said:

I have sent a message and I will PM you when I hear back. I have family in Del Valle and Bastrop and then friends/colleagues in North Austin.

Great, thanks! I LIVE in North Austin. 

[polarbearfans]

Ours will call to let us know updates during the procedure and then when the cat is awake. For an anal gland procedure, we got a call when the procedure was starting, when it was done and to let us know he was still receiving some red laser therapy to prevent pain, then we got a call when he was awake. I think they know I will call all day if I don't hear something

[fayeelle]

Posted too soon :/

Finishing my thought...
If the day is jam packed and more patients are critical than not there unfortunately isn't time to call for all those steps. If time was made then that would take away from patient care. I would much rather upset someone by not calling than by leaving thier pet unattended to reach for the phone.
My clients have seen how busy we get since we have a very open door policy with clients being present in our treatment area visiting a sick pet or touring the facility. They have seen how one on one we are so not calling during all that isn't a big deal to them.
Talk it over with the office. It may have been a day like that. Tour the entire hospital. All on all you have to have the trust and comfort level you need.

[awick14]

It depends, when I dropped our pet off to get neutered at 7:30am, they called us at 3pm to give an update. They waited so long because his actual appointment wasn't until 2pm. I did know that going into the day though. I was just working so I had to drop him off earlier then the appointment.

They did do his blood work and stuff before the appointment though and they only call earlier if something is wrong with the blood work.

[pooh8402]

mine calls when my pet is awake. I feel like that is standard, since anytime my golden has had procedures, it was usually in the afternoon or in between cases. my terrier hasn't had any procedures yet.

[grover]

For neutering (the only procedure he's had done at this point), the vet called to let us know he made it through the procedure, and at that time also gave us a pick up time. I would not expect a call that his surgery had started.