Need Input : Interviewing Potential Vets

[P+P's Meom]

I need to find a new vet asap.
[link to story below]

Pitter, my 5yo, neutered tabby was just diagnosed with GI bleeding and kidney disease.
I need to find a vet who won't treat me like an imbecile.

There are 15 vets where I live, 13 that we haven't been to. I'm trying to figure out how to thin the herd of vets without subjecting Pitter, his sister Patter, me and my pockets to unnecessary stress.

Can I call and ask if they carry “prescription food?”
I have a decided lack of respect for a vet who believes that dry kibble is good for kidneys. My 2 cats get home-made food with actual meat. Commercial is not an option.

Can I ask about declawing?
I really do not want to take my cats to a vet who performs unnecessary amputations on animals.

Am I being totally unreasonable? Is it even possible to find a vet like that?!
Anything else I should ask a potential new vet?

Thanks in advance!
Pitter's worried Meom


https://thecatsite.com/threads/part-two-input-on-diagnostic-testing-for-tummy-troubles.394534/#post-4915792

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
Something you definitely need to know is how a vet feels about homemade/raw feeding - it gets too complicated and frustrating otherwise.
I think you can ask about declawing, and I don't think you're being unreasonable at all

How To Talk To Your Vet

and here is a post by another member that has good advice
Helpful Advice For My Crazy Cat Please Lol

 

[Mamanyt1953]

You can certainly ask if they carry prescription food, but the answer will be, almost universally, "yes, we do." Their carrying it does NOT obligate you to use it, however. My own vet carries Science Diet, and I wouldn't feed it to my cat unless she was literally starving, and THEN only until I could get to the store! And by ALL MEANS, ask about their policy on declawing. I certainly did. My vet performs declawing only when it is a medical necessity (which it can be, but it is rare).

And I'm adding this article to the one that Furballsmom recommened. Between the two, I think we can take some of the guesswork out of this. How To Choose The Best Veterinarian For My Cat?.

Not being sure where "far, far away" might be, IF you are in the USA, you can search for Feline Only practitioners by zip code here: AAFP | American Association of Feline Practitioners. Make sure to choose the "cat only" option, as the "cat friendly" option could simply mean a receptionist who really likes cats!

Your goal is to find a vet who considers you to be a valuable member of your cat's health care team. All others need not apply.

 

[Furballsmom]

In case you may need this type of information, depending on what a different vet determines;

Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Cat

 

[bear]

Here are a couple questions I used for Vet Office Interviews in 2000.

Do you give 1 year or 3 year vaccinations to cats over 2 years of age?
My favorite answer was. "3 year, as long as you understand that yearly exams are very important."

Do you recommend FeLV shots for indoor only cats.
Only acceptable answer was "No". Preferred answer was. "You would need to go to another Vet for that shot."

Do you recommend FIV shots for indoor only cats.
Only acceptable answer was "No". Preferred answer was, "If we do, and you get separated from cat (like when earthquake breaks windows), a rescue group cannot tell if your cat has FIV or the shot."

19 years have passed. Three friends have passed, at 19 1/2, 15 and 19 1/2. Five different good Vets in the same office have helped my animals.

Nineteen years is the longest business relationship I have had with any business.

 

[She's a witch]

Hi!
Something you definitely need to know is how a vet feels about homemade/raw feeding - it gets too complicated and frustrating otherwise.
I think you can ask about declawing, and I don't think you're being unreasonable at all

How To Talk To Your Vet

and here is a post by another member that has good advice
Helpful Advice For My Crazy Cat Please Lol

Vets might not talk openly about raw feeding with someone they don’t know, on the phone. Veterinary Asociation is against it and I know my vet, although completely pro-raw, would not admit that to anyone. So it’s somethibg to take into account when asking that question

 

[neely]

The first step I would take is to look up their CV and check their educational background, years in practice, any specialty areas or research, etc. Then take it from there regarding your questions. Of course, word of mouth from other similar trusted and knowledgeable friends, relatives and co-workers who have cats is also helpful. Once you get to know a vet better and see how they treat or approach your cat you gain their confidence and trust.

When our vet who we adored retired we had to find a new vet which was not easy since I'm extremely picky about who cares for our animals. I decided to search for a feline only specialist and within the practice I chose one particular vet. I also like a 2nd vet in the practice which helps if the primary one is not available.

Best of luck, please keep us posted about your progress.

 

[Furballsmom]

Nineteen years is the longest business relationship I have had with any business.

Dang, this is SERIOUSLY impressive!