Vet locator website?

itsapita wrote:

See my note about Pet ID's but the Tagg Tracker App will give you names and addresses of nearby Vets, Hospitals, and Pet stores etc.

Since all we have are "dumb" phones and no tablets, an app would not work for me.:S It has to be something online.

DOTLDaddy wrote:
I think this has been talked about before, but I can't find any reference to it.

We plan on doing a lot of traveling in 2014 and beyond. One old dog, one young dog, something is bound to happen eventually where we need to see a vet. I have this website bookmarked:

Vet Locator

I don't know if it's the "best" one to use or not. I am open to other suggestions . . . . . :@

See my note about Pet ID's but the Tagg Tracker App will give you names and addresses of nearby Vets, Hospitals, and Pet stores etc.

Good luck finding a good Vet in your travels Walter. I'v found that although a Vet may be registered with a AAA Rating, or whatever in a particular web site. It's still a hit or miss type of situation.

We got real lucky, well ... kind'ah, sorta when we were in Santa Paula. Fist Clinic had two Vets (which happened to be right across the highway from us, yeah small town an all). Saw the fist Vet twice, she was OK. On the third visit, she was off, so we saw the other Vet Dr. Blanton (? spelling). Bingo, she ended up taking care of Harlee and Calvin for the remainder of our stay in Santa Paula. She operated on Harlee's ear. Great Vet IMHO, easy to talk to, she made sure my pea brain understood whatever she was doing and why. What direction we were taking for a given situation / problem, giving me options as well and why, AND always cared about my fiances (if I'm saying this right) etc..

Tucson however was a real nightmare of sorts ... LOL. The first Vet Clinic was imo all in for the money. Calvin was sick (throwing up), called a Clinic, receptionist who took the call seemed friendly etc. in addition they happen to have an first appointment open, so I made an appointment. When we arrived (nice two story building), and after the preliminaries were done, we were taken to a examination room.

Usually it's been my experience (prior to the seeing the Doc) a tech would come in to take a few vitals, ask a few questions etc.. The we'd see the Doc.

At this Clinic (not listed on a web site, but found them in the phone book), a sales person came in trying to sell vaccinations that Calvin needed or was due for. Vaccinations for a sick dog, NO tech, haven't see the Doc, but wanted to give Calvin vaccinations! The Doc either caught me and Calvin while we were walking out of the examination room or at the reception area (again kind of long ago), anyways we went back in the examination room, Doc ended up giving Calvin something for his stomach. Wanted to see him again, yup right, as they say, "No Way Jose, NOT in this Life Time"!

Second Clinic we visited was listed in a web site as a AAA certified whatever. The Vet we saw was OK, but I wasn't confident, can't remember, it's been too long ago.

Third Clinic who was also listed in the same web site. The Doc at his Clinic was absolutely great! Saw him for the remainder of our stay in Tucson. If we find ourselves in Tucson again, NO MORE SHOPPING, he's or go to Doc!

So like I say, it's a hit or miss kind of thing.

I presently drive approx 30 miles (one way) to see Dr. Hehn since she's working at a new Clinic. She's a great Doctor, and the one who came in on her day off to help me with Harlee. She set everything up prior to us arriving at the Clinic cause Calvin was with me so he could say his good by to his big sister.

This IS the one area that I don't look forward to when we move to new contract / area!

The suggestion on asking folks at the RV Park is a good one.

Pops


PS Sorry for taking so much ban width for this post Doc!

Pawz4me wrote:
I would use the American Animal Hospital Association locator. There will be fewer vets/practices listed than are actually in any local area because of the criteria required to become accredited and to maintain it. There are many vet practices that aren't accredited by the AAHA. But IMO it's a very useful resource.

Agreed, this is where I start. Also asking at the campground for recommendations is pretty useful.

An easier way to find ANYTHING in any town you travel in.....GOOGLE.
I would, for example, type in "veterinarians, xxxx city".....naming the city. As for references....yeah, good luck. People have different opinions on good or bad doctors, vets, dentists, stores, etc......just do a "interview". For example...we had an appt with a vet that everyone in our home town approved of.....took the cats in...they proceeded to tell us to sit down and picked up the cage. They were going to take them in for the appt. withOUT us in the room. i told them my cats don't go in by themselves any more than I'd let my kids see a doctor without me there. They objected...I picked up the cages and left.............

I would ask someone locally for recommendations -- call a local humane society, grooming shop, boarding kennel, etc. - and ask for recommendations.

A friend of mine RVs with her service dog. She used Yelp - they have an app - for a four month RV trip.

i just talk to my smartphone and ask about vets in a certain city....my phone is sooooo smart.

I would use the American Animal Hospital Association locator. There will be fewer vets/practices listed than are actually in any local area because of the criteria required to become accredited and to maintain it. There are many vet practices that aren't accredited by the AAHA. But IMO it's a very useful resource.