Good/bad Veterinarian's in Waxhaw area? (Mint Hill, Archdale: live, land, county)

[Travel'r]

Originally Posted by par4

I brought the dog down several times before today, and she just LOVES her new yard! Now she is here permanently, so I really need to find a vet and groomer. Do the animal hospitals/vets also do grooming?

par4,

I seriously recommend dealing with a single doctor whose only objective is to disgnose and fix, as opposed to dealing with a hospital which offers services, such as grooming, as well. (It would be nice to hear of exceptions, which there very well may be, though. Perhaps there's a really good doctor or two tucked in one of these places who will refuse to be "sell, hi-volume" pressured?)

But, in our own experiences, "convenient" facilities tend to be more "exceeding profit expectations" driven, while a good vet does more than enough business just geting to the bottom of health issues (because of his reputation, word of mouth). Thus he'll charge more normal rates as well (unlike the "boutique" ish places)!
Sorry for the repitition, but cannot emphasize this enough!

I'd visit vets firsthand upon moving there. Please try to avoid the more elaborate joints which never have a problem saying "come right in" because they'll fill their bigger lobby (with merchandise gracing the shelves) and flutter through your exam time like a hi-volume restaurant? You're going to have to be more patient with a really good vet, especially at the last minute, because they're more thorough. An established (and older) vet who's been there for years has less convenient appointment avaliability and (seemingly infinite) waiting time for good reason. And they tend to be more "no nonsense", as they don't want to "push" anything more than just fixing your dog! And the more small and intimate the staff, the better, too. (I'd recommend a University hospital for emergencies, as the faculity and students' only goal is to diagnse and fix as well; and the high cost is so worth it in their case).

To elaborate on the last post (before I had to run out for an appointment :>):
I'm not against facilities receiving "points" for the drugs or other things they sell, as much as the fact that there are "McVet" facilities out there which will push something which is not best for your dog (or cat).

#1) Drugs (Rimadyl, for example). They may, impulsively, bombard your dog with the more unnecessary drugs they get points for, as opposed to being thorough in examining your dog and/or considering any alternatives which may not be so risky. (And there are very realistic, possible side effects which they SHOULD tell you to look out for -- but don't).

2) Selling other stuff. Take Science diet, for example. Just google "Dog Food advice" or "dog food facts or analysis" and then you can really see what's what, cut & dry (pun intended:>). You'd be amazed in what you could save in "mysterious" health issues, too, just by looking into ingredients in different foods available out there (PM me, if you like, for some very informative, UNBIASED comprehensive articles and resources which list ingredients right off the labels (wonder why your dog scratches too much, always has ear infections, has the runs...??)
I don't think I'm allowed to post them here, or gladly would. **Good, successful vets have no other reason to even sell this, unless it's a rescue or shelter, to which the company donates!! (Most vets are not trained in nutrition anyway, unless they choose to personally take the extra course if they wish, or they're Holistic vets.)

Sorry I'm straying here, but there are some vets out there to look out for and to not be so trusting towards. It's very disturbing to see this McVet trend that's flourishing, due to the convenience factor.
Sorry for such a long post, but we learned the hard way and wish to save others unnecessary uncertainty and over-bloated cost and offer some "red flags" to be aware of because pet owners can be vulnerable, too trusting. In over 40 years of having many, many dogs, our family certainly wasn't used to this "new trend". But they're popping up everywhere, it seems.

Think Dawn hit the nail on the head:
<<<Indian Trail Animal Hospital on 521 gave very good care and was very reasonably priced. They are a no frills place but with very caring Vets.
Dawn>>>
Coincidence? Think not :>) Money was never an object when it came to our babies, we had more than 6 at one time and always found a way. But it become an issue when people are fleecing you, and your dogs never get better unless you travel miles and miles (back) to a good vet. But the best really are reasonably ("normally") priced! And they don't have to upsell everything, either.

Hope this can help somewhat, I wish you luck.

[par4]

Hi Travel'r! Thanks for the very thoughtful and thorough response. I just finished moving, and finally was able to get my computer up and running. (I have had terrible luck with internet service down here) I intend to visit a few of the local vets as suggested and then decide which I feel most comfortable with. Again, thank you and sorry for the late reply.

[Travel'r]

My pleasure, Par4.
Almost forgot, check with rescues for grooming. Some do (and the proceeds will stay right there). Or they may give you recommendations.
Best wishes! And congrats!!

[DUKE1989]

There is a good one just off Carmel road in Pineville.

[Damemeow]

Hi there,

I was a vet tech for a feline only solo vet in Florida (think James Herriot in a strip mall). My suggestion, and what I will end up looking for myself, is to find a small solo practitioner. Keep in mind the fancier the animal hospital, the higher their overhead and the more likely they will be pushing services and drugs that may not be in your pet's best interest to pay for their very expensive equipment. You are better off with a small practice, who will refer you out to specialists when and if the situation calls for it.

By the way, does anyone know of a feline only hospital in the charlotte area?

[Travel'r]

Originally Posted by Damemeow

Hi there,

I was a vet tech for a feline only solo vet in Florida (think James Herriot in a strip mall). My suggestion, and what I will end up looking for myself, is to find a small solo practitioner. Keep in mind the fancier the animal hospital, the higher their overhead and the more likely they will be pushing services and drugs that may not be in your pet's best interest to pay for their very expensive equipment. You are better off with a small practice, who will refer you out to specialists when and if the situation calls for it.

By the way, does anyone know of a feline only hospital in the charlotte area?

Damemeow & Par4,

Hope you're still out there, how did y'all make out?

[kdub]

Hi. I must say that I find some of the experiences posted here very disturbing, and I am empathetic to those who've had horrible experiences. At the same time, I would warn against boxing all vet practices into "great" or "no way". Just like shoes, one size does not fit all. There are those out there that I will avoid based on my experience or that of my friends, but I take the same approach in finding a vet that I do in selecting doctors for myself, without the concern of insurance though as I do not carry pet insurance on my pets therefore it's not an issue.

For me, I want my questions answered and I want a "soft touch" for my pets as they are already scared when I put them in the carrier to go to the vet, take their time and not rush through my appointment. I want to know my options with respect to medical care and the associated costs. I think a good vet is one that will provide this at a minimum, and in unfortunate circumstances they show great compassion for my pet and they are empathetic to my waffling about when is the right time to let go.

Sales pitches can come from a one-doctor or six-doctor environment. It all depends on the personality and the philosophy of the practice. Animal medicines are often produced by the same companies that produce pharmaceuticals for people and yes, they "incent" their vets to sell Their product, not their competitor's. (just like they do for human pharmaceuticals). HOWEVER, a good vet, no matter the size of the practice will make sure that you know your options, but will not put the heavy pressure on your one way or the other. They will be informative and understand that not all people have the financial resources or the desire to pursue long-term care for a geriatric pet or have a different view of how they wish to handle their pet's care.

I disagree with the sweeping statement that read, "A really good veterinarian won't be as "convenient", as appointments are at such a demand." There are slow times in their day or seasonality to their business as there is in many others. If you don't have an appointment, my vet recommends setting one for the next time, but if the situation is urgent and warrants a visit that day, he always says, "come on in, we'll try to work you in", but that is truly as a courtesy and they will not rush off one to see another patient. If you really want to see them you may have to sit in the waiting room for 30 minutes or an hour...for a window of time to open up, but ultimately you get the time with the vet...which was the goal. They are trying to be service focused, and provide the service that their clients want and need...and sometimes that's an immediate need, and the client doesn't wish to spend the EXTRA dollars to go to the emergency clinic down the street to handle their urgent situation, and they want their vet to handle the problem.

They will also ensure that when you make your appointment and you want to see a specific vet in their practice that you are given that opportunity, as long as that doctor is working and available the day/time you wish to meet with them. Obviously, if you call on the day you wish to meet, you may not be able to see your specific doctor as other appointments may have booked his/her day and they are naturally given priority. A lot of people think vets are standing around waiting for something to do, when in reality they can be scheduled weeks to months out.

I agree with, "They also don't need to advertise, offer cupons, and sell Science Diet dog food." They don't need to advertise or offer discounts...think about it, would you find yourself a surgeon or specialist who offers coupons or discounts? Doesn't that undermine his/her supposed qualifications, knowledge and experience to best serve you? I do, however, appreciate the vet that offers nutritional options, such as Science Diet, in their office and not necessarily so that I can buy from them every time. I have a cat that has specific protein needs as her body does not absorb proteins. When she was on a regular name brand store bought food and was middle-aged, she stopped being able to digest the food, and she dropped to below 3 lbs (and lived to tell about it). The vet had Science Diet available, recommended a specific formula, we bought a small package to see if it would help her, it did, and we now buy it in bulk at the local pet warehouse store. The vet was able to point out on the label the difference between my food (which I had taken in with me) and the Science Diet. (Although vets may not have extensive nutritional education in school unless they opt for it, they are trained in the physiology and biology of cats and dogs...hence, they understand the needs of the blood, digestive system, etc. all which are impacted by nutrition and respond in a healthy or unhealthy manner to good/bad nutrition, foods, additives, etc.)

I disagree with the sweeping statement, "If you see a sign posted informing clients which day/time of the week they're closed for "staff meetings", RUN!!! This is for discussing the goals of what to sell that day/week, as vets do get "points" from companies depending on sales goals met. (We were naive to think they sat around talking about new treatments, stuff like that)." Yes, that is naive.How in the world do you think they run a business? They have office managers, client concerns, and yes, new drugs to discuss, scheduling changes, repairs, how to reinvest monies back into the business for a new equipment, maybe a new laser machine (as almost everyone is doing now), sales goals, and the list goes on just like any other business. I do not believe that they all sit around discussing how to stick it to their clients. Some vet practices do not even allow drug reps to participate or attend their staff meetings, as much as the reps would love to get their foot in that door. They only allow them to stock the shelves and leave informational material about the drugs. Yes, they have goals as they have to keep their doors open, pay the light bill, pay their employees, rising cost of drugs that they can't absorb or they'd turn off their lights and close their doors. Any other successful business will have sales goals as well. It's just how you're treated that matters...if they treat you like a number, if they are incapable of demonstrating empathy or compassion for your family member, if they're too pushy, if they don't listen and you find yourself repeating yourself incessantly to get their attention, then move on.

I'm not fond of vets that offer grooming services. Yes, it's a one-stop shop, but I want my vet focused on medicine, not "prettying up" my pooch.

Honestly though, I've never met a vet, practicing or retired, whom I've thought of as "just pulling in the dough hand over fist" or wealthy.

[Swimmom32]

We use Rea Rd animal hospital...I had to bring my dog in last week for a check up since moving here..well Let me say they were incredible he needed 2 shots and the Vet was awesome very clean and well we were expecting a bill like NJ and it was incredible how inexpensive they were....We brought him home after the shots and about 35 min later he started acting really weird, so I called them they had me bring him back immediately...I got there and the vet looked at him and thought nothing Odd except how quiet he was, so needless to say they kept him there for 3.5 hours for observation incase he was having a reaction to one of the shots...I was SHOCKED and they didnt charge me either... so I highly recommend them...

[seahawks80]

We take our dog to Rea Animal Hospital too, and they've been great. I'd highly recommend them as well.

[Aimee729]

Rea Rd. Animal hospital. We ended up having to put down both our dog (17 yrs.) and cat (21 yrs) there. They were very compassionate and caring during a very difficult time for our family. Bedside/tableside manner- A+.