How to change your vet

[HandsomeRob]

Really pissed at my vet. Spent months finding him because he's great, planned it all even before picking up the pup.

Stopped in today for a routine and came to a rude surprise. He retired last month, and sold his practice. Didn't tell anybody, didn't post it on his website, send emails, postcards, whatever.

Now shamed into staying, can't walk out when we're already inside. It get's worse. He sold the practice to somebody who was sued for basically malpractice, successfully, twice. Had his license revoked now operating on a limited license while the appeals and race card at the kangaroo court tribunal go through. We didn't know this at the time, so we stayed for the visit. Very underwhelming, wants to sell the kitchen sink 'at a discount of course', don't communicate with him well. Won't be going back.

Luckily I've got a backup vet who was #2 to the fellow that retired. So how would you do this? Have to call original vet and say, "Leaving, can I have the file?" Or does new vet call and take care of this? Going to be uncomfortable, like a breakup for somebody that didn't do anything wrong. This is a new one for me.

[carolina girl]

No worries. When you go to new Vet they will call and have files faxed over from original Vet. You do not have to tell original Vet anything. You do not owe him an explanation. Congrats on your new pet.

[amz155]

No worries. When you go to new Vet they will call and have files faxed over from original Vet. You do not have to tell original Vet anything. You do not owe him an explanation. Congrats on your new pet.

Pretty much this. If you aren't comfortable asking the old vet directly for your pet's file, ask your new vet to request the information. Really though, if you don't want to go through the hassle of transferring the files, unless your dog has a certain health condition where its medical history would be required for the new vet to treat him, you can just "start over" with the new vet. For a pup, I"m guessing the only history that the old vet has on file was the first check up and vaccines.

[HandsomeRob]

Thanks.

Pup is not new, nearly two now.

Quite a history of food allergies, couple of bouts of stomach problems that were never conclusively diagnosed. I've got sufficient documentation and personal records that I could probably rebuild his file including what medication was administered, just wondering if they had anything else significant in there.

[Shaner]

When you register with the new vet, just ask them to obtain your records from your old vet. They will do it for you. Very painless and stress free. No need to ever talk to your old vet again.

[hipfan1]

The one thing I've learned about vets (after years and thousands of dollars spent) is that the customer is in charge. Make no mistake about this, vets are businesses. They have no right to withhold information, because it's your pet and you pay them for their service. If you're not happy, just go to a different vet and either request the history from your old vet personally, or have the new vet request it. I've had a couple of instances where I was not satisfied with my vet care, so I simply switched. Don't waste your money on a vet if you're not happy with the service!

I've been so unhappy with the service in my area (Ottawa), that I drive 1 hr to the states for my vet, and couldn't be happier (and my bank account doesn't hurt so much after a visit either!).