Are there any good Veterinarians (for a Dog) left? (Houston: live, store)

[cinnamonspice]

Hello kind people,

This is Cinnamon. My family and I adopted a rescue dog several months ago, and are having a hard time finding a good Veterinarian that really cares and takes their time to diagnose, and promote wellness and prevention.

We have tried 5-6 different clinics for wellness checkups etc. nothing serious, knock on wood, and found that many of the Veterinarians are recent graduates, nothing wrong with that at all, who either do a very quick check up and/or do not do a thorough check up, including looking at other potential problem areas, preventative care etc.


We are looking for a vet that can work with us to provide long term care for our pet(s) for example tell us to be aware of xyz issues, come back in 3 months for such and such checkup because your breed is prone to ABC, etc.


We do not mind paying a bit more, and even commuting.

We are in the North Houston area, but can travel if that is the way to go.


We thought about going to Texas A&M but they are far, and seem to highly prefer local residents for regular Veterinary care, because understandably, they don't want pet owners and the pet to have to drive 1-2 hours for check ups.


Many of you are well established residents of Houston, I am sure you have a go to recommendation for a Veterinarian


Thank you all kind people. Your advice goes a LONG way.


Cinnamon

[96tahoe]

Recently took our dog to BluePearl in Spring/Cypress. The staff and vet were very kind, caring and informative there.

[cinnamonspice]

Thanks dear 96tahoe


We thought Blue Pearl was primarily an Emergency Care facility?


Maybe we are wrong!!

[crone]

Stuebner Airline Vet clinic. It is on Stuebner Airline just north of Cypresswood.

We see Dr. Whitmore and have for 20 years, but all are excellent. They are all caring and competent. The three vets have been there forever, so they are hiring new Drs. We had to see a newish vet due to an emergency one evening. He was great, too.

They send patients to Blue Pearl if a late emergency.

[Sollaces]

I feel for you. I was in the same boat with our first rescue dog. I saw a few different vets and wasn't pleased with any of them. It was always something. Either their office staff wasn't prompt or helpful. . . Or the vet was pushing the worst case scenario agenda .. . I once had a limping dog and had to wait for the building vet staff to get done with a staff meeting. . . Waited an hour for that and my poor dog laying in the reception area. One I told NEVER put my dog on those lifts and sure enough he did. (My dog had bad back knees and was terrified). Anyway, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.


What I did was ask for a vet rec on various local shelter / rescue pages. Then I noticed which vets were mention more than others. In Richmond, Foster Creek Vet Hospital is the place most agree on. A couple of different vets there. During one visit a guy drove from Sealy with his dogs for his yearly visit so I guess that says something. About the main thing with this place is the reception room isn't adequate, not enough seating, not enough room to keep dogs apart. But they're building a new place on the property so we'll see. They are extremely prompt - I have to watch when I call because they can always take me in the day I call, sometimes in an hour. They do insist on the heartworm test before another year of prescribing heartgard.

[marksmu]

If you want to make the drive to Pearland, Dr. Stone at Silverlake Animal Hospital is the best. My lab had parvo when we got her....she had not yet started diharrea or vomiting, she caught it....she caught it so early, that she survived it.

Same dog, had her knee surgery done, and made a full recovery.

Same dog lost a ton of weight, and Dr. Stone got it right with Hyper-thyrodism. Most vets would say cancer to that, and just treat the cancer, or recommend putting her down (she was 13 at the time)....She said she could do the surgery, but lacked some of the highly specialized post surgical equipment needed, and recommended a veterinary specialist to do both surgery and post surgical rehab.

I'm happy to say that my sweet lab is still fine....expensive as all hell, but fine.

She only treats the real problems and does it all very professionally, and is super nice. I won't say she is cheap (other clinics may charge less for some things), but compared to other vets who may recommend things your dog doesnt need, she is a value. And she is great, so there is that.

[rbheeler]

The rescue group that I volunteer with loves Dr. Jeffrey at FM 1488 Animal Medical Center in Magnolia, (281) 259-8806. They take our new rescues to him all the time, especially for surgeries or complex medical issues.

It would be a long drive for you, but I have found an excellent vet in Richmond, Dr. Amy Vogt at Friendship Animal Hospital. The clinic is at 99 (Grand Parkway) and Mason Road. One of my dear senior dogs had incontinence issues that were no longer controlled by medication, and our former vet said, "Get used to mopping the floor", and he was finished with her. Dr. Vogt found that the UTI our former vet said was cured, had actually become a more serious kidney infection. Once she successfully treated that, our dog's incontinence could again be controlled by medication. Dr. Vogt also connected us with a veterinary pain specialist, Dr. Michelle Ragsdale, and between them they gave our old girl some happy months she would not have had otherwise.

[whogo]

Mason Road Veterinary Clinic at Mason and Franz. Dr. Amy Hoffpaur.Just took Cookie there today.

[Sollaces]

When I mentioned asking various rescue groups in your area. . . . Go on Facebook. Look for dog groups where you live - Rescue, shelters, lost and found groups. Join them and ask your questions. Then see if the vet they jointly love is the one you want.


When I was looking around I also asked when I was at the dog park. Asked other dog owners. I'd ask at the store where I bought dog food.

[cinnamonspice]

Thank you all kind people

I will look into these options, so far Stuebner Airline vet clinic is the closest option, but we will look into the others too.

We are not that active on social media, but if that is the way to go, then we can set up an account.

Much appreciated