Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I need a recommendation for a good vet that doesn't operate like an HMO and farm out a lot of procedures to third-party "specialists". So far I've been to two local vet offices and both of them have been overpriced and the customer service is underwhelming, yet both places had very good Yelp ratings. I've seen places mentioned on the forum that were north of here but I'd like to see what I can find closer to me in Apex or Holly Springs.
We have been very happy with Hemlock Bluffs in Holly Springs.
I have a dog with allergy issues and they are always very responsive and caring.
My dog loves it there so much, he goes there for play dates (the kennel portion).
I happen to take my guy to Town and Country in Apex for grooming but was not thrilled with the vet services.
They are also very expensive!
We have been very happy with Hemlock Bluffs in Holly Springs.
I have a dog with allergy issues and they are always very responsive and caring.
My dog loves it there so much, he goes there for play dates (the kennel portion).
I happen to take my guy to Town and Country in Apex for grooming but was not thrilled with the vet services.
They are also very expensive!
Good veterinary care costs money. Veterinarians are not making megabucks by being small animal clinicians. The expenses of running a high-quality practice are considerable, and many of them are working 50+ hour work weeks. Ethical veterinarians are always evaluating whether or not they possess the skills to manage a given case, and referring to specialists is often indicated for challenging cases. As someone who is owned by a dog, I do understand the need to keep costs within reasonable limits. But that needs to be balanced by the reality of the situation: good medicine is not cheap, and nobody is getting rich in veterinary general practice.
Good veterinary care costs money. Veterinarians are not making megabucks by being small animal clinicians. The expenses of running a high-quality practice are considerable, and many of them are working 50+ hour work weeks. Ethical veterinarians are always evaluating whether or not they possess the skills to manage a given case, and referring to specialists is often indicated for challenging cases. As someone who is owned by a dog, I do understand the need to keep costs within reasonable limits. But that needs to be balanced by the reality of the situation: good medicine is not cheap, and nobody is getting rich in veterinary general practice.
Sorry, but that is complete nonsense. People who choose to be veterinarians do so fully understanding that their job can be stressful, with long hours, etc. I don't, and shouldn't, feel sorry for them. Quite the opposite. What I see is a wave of young people with minimal training assuming the role of a veterinarian, performing very limited/routine procedures and relying on others for assistance with slightly more advanced procedures. I'm not talking about cancer treatment or blood diseases, I'm talking about broken bones and dietary advice. I went to two different vets prior to moving here, and both had been in practice for many years. They did 95% of the work themselves, they were knowledgeable and spoke from experience. So far the two vet offices (each with multiple vets on staff) I've been to have been overpriced jokes. They can't answer questions about my dog's diet but they sure can hard sell a heartworm medication. My dogs deserve better care than what they've had so far.
We have been very happy with Hemlock Bluffs in Holly Springs.
I have a dog with allergy issues and they are always very responsive and caring.
My dog loves it there so much, he goes there for play dates (the kennel portion).
I happen to take my guy to Town and Country in Apex for grooming but was not thrilled with the vet services.
They are also very expensive!
My pets have all received affordable, excellent care at Crossroads Veterinary Hospital. My animal rescue friends at Triangle Beagle Rescue use them, as do another couple of folks I know who have pets with complex medical issues.
Jason, I'm surprised the vets you've encountered haven't hard-sold you on Science Diet. Some vets have it stacked high right near their front desks! Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with The Pet Pantry (feedyourpets.com). We have been customers for 10 years, and I believe my pets are healthier because of this food. My pets eat better than I do!
Sorry, but that is complete nonsense. People who choose to be veterinarians do so fully understanding that their job can be stressful, with long hours, etc. I don't, and shouldn't, feel sorry for them. Quite the opposite. What I see is a wave of young people with minimal training assuming the role of a veterinarian, performing very limited/routine procedures and relying on others for assistance with slightly more advanced procedures. I'm not talking about cancer treatment or blood diseases, I'm talking about broken bones and dietary advice. I went to two different vets prior to moving here, and both had been in practice for many years. They did 95% of the work themselves, they were knowledgeable and spoke from experience. So far the two vet offices (each with multiple vets on staff) I've been to have been overpriced jokes. They can't answer questions about my dog's diet but they sure can hard sell a heartworm medication. My dogs deserve better care than what they've had so far.
Vets aren't nutritionists. I learned to research to find the best foods for my dogs on my own. Most vets feel that Purina One and the likes are good enough. They aren't good enough for my dogs. Either you can research foods on your own, or take the other poster's suggestion and speak with Thor at The Pet Pantry. He can get you set up with a good quality food and deliver it right to your door. I don't live in Raleigh anymore, so I order my food through Chewy.com.
As for vets in the area you are talking about, I used to use Swift Creek Animal Hospital. I loved Dr. Gintis! However, almost every vet practice hard sells HW meds. Even my new vet where I live now. My dogs are on HW and flea/tick preventatives, but the vet techs try to get me to switch to whichever one they are getting a kick back from.
Sorry, but that is complete nonsense. People who choose to be veterinarians do so fully understanding that their job can be stressful, with long hours, etc. I don't, and shouldn't, feel sorry for them. Quite the opposite. What I see is a wave of young people with minimal training assuming the role of a veterinarian, performing very limited/routine procedures and relying on others for assistance with slightly more advanced procedures. I'm not talking about cancer treatment or blood diseases, I'm talking about broken bones and dietary advice. I went to two different vets prior to moving here, and both had been in practice for many years. They did 95% of the work themselves, they were knowledgeable and spoke from experience. So far the two vet offices (each with multiple vets on staff) I've been to have been overpriced jokes. They can't answer questions about my dog's diet but they sure can hard sell a heartworm medication. My dogs deserve better care than what they've had so far.
So you've only met with new graduates of vet school? There's a learning curve, you know. If you want experienced vets, then ask for the experienced vets on staff. Personally, I've had only positive experiences with the younger vets I've met.
As for "feeling sorry for them" for the long hours, I'm not asking you to feel sorry for them, I'm suggesting that you understand that providing veterinary care is expensive for the clinician too and costs are going up all the time, just as in human medicine. Most of them are not trying to price gouge the consumer.
Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital (TVRH) has an office in Holly Springs. I don't know if they do routine visits, but they do have in-house surgery, cardiology, radiology and rehab services.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
