Finding A Good Vet.

Finding A Good Vet.

Finding a good vet and building a good rapport with your key to getting the most appropriate treatment. At Holidays4Dogs, we always contact our carer’s local vet to build initial communication. This is useful, should any of our carers need to take guest dogs for treatment during a stay. It is so important to be well informed about your dog’s health and your vet is the best person to collaborate with on this. 

Veterinary health care is a multi-million pound industry which has expanded rapidly in recent years, so finding a good vet can seem like a minefield. Not least because in May 2024 the UK Competition Regulator set up an investigation into the 2 Billion veterinary market.

Of particular concern, is that pet owners could be over-paying for medicines and are not being made aware of treatment options available. Just a few days ago, (May 2025), the Guardian reported the UK regulator could ban large veterinary chains from linking incentives to veterinary treatment. Vets could also face price caps on prescribing medicines.

Choices and cost in veterinary care.

One of the biggest concerns is large veterinary companies are being asked to incentivise, which then results in a reduction of choice for pet owners when it comes to the health of their pet. The report by the regulator has found that some vets are feeling pressure by the companies they work for, to meet performance and targets in relation to the treatments they sell.

Out of the 5,000 vet practices in the UK about 1,500 belong to one of 6 huge corporate veterinary groups. Independent vet practices are becoming harder to find and more difficult to register. This is because more people are wanting to register their pets with an independent veterinary practice.

However, even where vets are independent, they are still using ‘out of hours’ services operated by large corporate groups. All vet surgeries must provide 24 hours service, but this doesn’t mean they all stay open. Many farm out this service to other companies.

Worryingly, the BBC has reported that some pet owners are being referred for ’emergency’ veterinary treatment in non-urgent cases. This is costing pet owners a lot of money for an out of hours service which, in some cases, could have waited until normal surgery opening hours. Therefore, it is important to find out what the out of hours service entails with your chosen vet.

Insurance.

There are genuine periods in everyone’s lives, where they find themselves financially embarrassed, with a sick pet on their hands. If you are concerned about the financial aspect of treatment, always be upfront with your vet about this. When finding a good vet, ask about payment options.

According to ManyPets Insurance, the average cost of a veterinary consultation is now at £58.29 – an increase of 8% from last year (2024). However, there is a massive variation across the UK – with some practices charging as much as £76.50 and sometimes, more.

While most surgeries make it clear that all treatments must be paid for at the time, payment plans may be available where treatment involves considerable expenditure. This will always be down to the individual surgery. Therefore, it’s wise to consider insurance, which can cover you for some unexpected veterinary care.

Communication and rapport.

It is important to be ready with essential information when you take your dog to see the vet. The vet will be able to examine your dog much more efficiently and thoroughly.

Be honest about your dog’s condition. Always take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice anything untoward. If your dog has had a growth on their leg for weeks, or months, your vet will know if you tell him it’s only been there since yesterday morning.

However, it is equally important that you are provided with an informed choice regarding your pet’s health and treatment. In addition, all staff should treat your pet with kindness and they should be genuinely interested in their care and welfare.

Conclusion.

Not only have there been rapid advances in veterinary care, there is also a growing interest in complementary therapies. Whether you are looking for a conventional vet, or a homeopathic vet, it is important to choose one that suits you and with whom you are able to build a rapport with.

Modern veterinary surgeries are costly to run and veterinary nursing staff are more qualified and demand higher salaries. In addition, specialist equipment can come at considerable cost.

That said, bear in mind – being the most expensive in town, does not mean you are getting the best quality of care. Likewise, having state of the art equipment should not mean you have to pay through the nose for veterinary care.

Finding a good vet is crucial when it comes to doing the best for your dog. Most people will go by recommendation and this is certainly a good way to begin your search.

Try to stick with one practice, or one vet, in order to build a loyal partnership. Ultimately, this will mean both you and your vet can provide the best health care for your much loved pet.