Five Red Flag Indicators That It May Be Time to Find a New Veterinarian

When people learn that I’m a veterinarian, their faces often light up with a smile. They may have a story such as, “I always wanted to be a vet, but organic chemistry sabotaged my plan.” or, “I love my veterinarian. She saved my dog’s life!”

Not all responses are so affirming because not everyone is happy with their veterinarian. And that’s okay. The reality is, not all veterinarians do a good job (same as in human medicine). I certainly had a few vet school classmates I wouldn’t let near one of my own sick animals with a ten-foot syringe.

The relationship between you and your veterinarian is an important one. Consider yourselves teammates working to keep your pets comfortable and healthy. Choosing the right veterinarian is a significant decision, and is why I included the chapter, “Finding Dr. Wonderful and Your Mutt’s Mayo Clinic” in my book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life.

Five Red Flag Indicators

How can you know if a vet’s performance is unworthy of your patronage? Here are five red flag indicators to prompt you to consider looking for someone new:

1. Your veterinarian is a 100 percent do-it-your-selfer, refusing to enlist help from other veterinarians, particularly specialists, within the community. Gone are the days of All Creatures Great and Small when it was reasonable for one doctor to handle all medical maladies, great and small. Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies have made it impossible for any one individual to be proficient at everything. If your family veterinarian hasn’t been able to arrive at a diagnosis, your pet’s condition is worsening or not improving in spite of therapy, or has recommended a complicated procedure, enlisting help from another veterinarian makes really good sense. If such discussion is not forthcoming, your vet is likely a do-it-your-selfer.

2. Your veterinarian prefers telling you what to do rather than discussing options. This “paternalistic” style of communication hinders your ability to ask questions and make well-informed choices. Sentence starters from your veterinarian such as, “You need to…”, “You should…”, “You have to…”, or an unsolicited, “If I were you I would…” are all clues that you may be workong with a paternalistic provider. It’s fine for veterinarians to weigh-in with some “what-would-I-do” advice, but such opinions shouldn’t be forthcoming from the get-go.

3. Your veterinarian doesn’t comply with current professional standards. For example, veterinarians who insist on a full slate of vaccinations without considering their patient’s lifestyle. Why vaccinate for Lyme disease if there’s no potential exposure to ticks?

4. Your veterinarian has made a significant error while working with your pet—a botched surgery, a missed diagnosis, or a medical prescription error. Yes, mistakes happen, and they warrant some face time with your veterinarian. Not only should your vet take responsibility, they should provide a prompt and honest explanation of what happened. If this isn’t the case, time to look elsewhere.

5. You or your pet simply don’t feel comfortable with your veterinarian. Does your normally delightful dog transform into Kujo the minute your vet walks into the exam room? Do you feel uneasy asking questions and openly discussing your worries or concerns? Pay attention to your observations and gut feelings. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right.

Your Exit Strategy

If you are planning to transfer to another veterinary hospital, you may be concerned about how to do so gracefully, without hurting your vet’s feelings. To this I say, what’s more important, your pet’s health and your own peace of mind or your veterinarian’s feelings?

To expedite a smooth transition, obtain a copy of all of your pet’s medical records, including: doctor’s notes, laboratory test results, imaging studies (ultrasound, X-rays), and vaccination history. This should be a no-hassle process because you are legally entitled to these records. If asked why you are moving on, I encourage you to provide an honest, constructive response.

As the captain of your pet’s health care team, it is your responsibility to determine who your teammates will be. Choose them wisely and remind yourself that the opportunity to care for you and your pet is a privilege that should be well-deserved.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com