Never before have pet owners been blessed with so much choice when it comes to the healthcare of their beloved companions. Long gone are the days where the only option was the rural, predominantly large animal vet who dabbled in the realm of ‘smallies’ as and when they needed to. Not that they necessarily did a bad job, especially with the comparatively limited science, medications, and equipment at their disposal.
These days when it comes to vet practices however, there are big ones, small ones, new ones, and old ones, even cat only ones. There really is a practice to suit everyone. Some gravitate towards the traditional intimate feel of a small team; others prefer the sense of modernity that comes with a larger practice or veterinary hospital. It’s horses for courses. But if you’re on the fence and wondering whether size matters, please read on to hear our take on the matter…
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Big or small?
If one of your priorities in veterinary care is to be on first name terms with your vets, your nurses and your receptionists (and we think this is a perfectly valid want), then a one/two/three vet practice might be the best way forward for you. Continuity can be key when it comes to patient care. Having a vet who knows your pet inside out can really make a difference. This is often easily achieved in smaller practices.
That said, it is also very possible to see the same vet in a larger setting, by simply requesting to see a specific vet each time you make an appointment. Most vets enjoy getting to know both their two-legged and four-legged clients. And theywould relish the opportunity to develop this kind of relationship. We might also add here, that vets are only human. On occasion a second eye cast over a poorly pet can bring fresh ideas into the mix, enhancing the veterinary care received.
So, what other differences are there between small and large veterinary teams? It could be argued that large teams of vets have more minds to put together in particularly complicated cases. If one vet hasn’t seen a particular condition before, there’s a good chance that someone else amongst the team has. Yet, with the continued learning that vets must undertake to remain on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ register, and the freely available advice from veterinary specialists, there are plenty of places for small teams of vets to turn to as well.
Big or corporate?
There’s a difference between big and corporate. Some might mistakenly think that all large practices must be owned by a corporate company, but they’d be wrong. There are large practices and hospitals out there which are privately owned; commonly by one, two or more partners who are vets, nurses or even practice manager types, working within the business. And likewise, there are smaller practices who have been bought by corporate companies.
Possibly due to the fact that many pet owners can remember when most veterinary practices were small, traditional, and privately owned, the term ‘corporate’ can be off-putting to some. However, we wouldn’t advocate writing these guys off on this basis alone. Whilst some of the decision-making is taken away from those working on the ground, bigger business can bring a great deal to the table when it comes to investing in veterinary practices, their people and their facilities. In turn, this can promote excellent standards of patient care.
What about referral practices?
Referral practices are a slightly different ball game altogether. These are places filled with specialists who have undertaken additional training in their field; be that orthopaedics, ophthalmology, medicine, oncology, dermatology, the list goes on. These are the people who regular vets send their patients to when the problem is extremely complex. Or requires equipment beyond that of a ‘normal’ veterinary practice. Even these practices come in different shapes and sizes. Some have specialists in a range of disciplines, some concentrate on just one or two. If your own vet holds them in high regard, enough to refer their own clients on to them, then that has to be a pretty solid recommendation.
In summation, big, small, privately owned, corporate; these aren’t necessarily the features to focus on when choosing a veterinary practice. What really matters is that you are happy with the service you receive. And that you get a good feeling when you walk into the place.
Getting to know the veterinary practice, working out their ethos and their values, will really make all the difference in your pet’s time of need. It’s all very well when a pet visits the vets for routine care such as vaccinations. But when your pet’s requirements are more serious, knowing, and trusting, and being comfortable with your veterinary team will prove invaluable. Supportive, diligent, and compassionate veterinary care comes in different forms. It’s more about the people on the team, than the size of the team.
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