Searching for a second opinion in Dublin

countryliving

hello board members, I have a cavalier king Charles who is 8 years of age.
poor dog has a few health problems - arthritis and now the heart.
I have been going to a vet in Kilkenny for the last 8 years and honest to god I am ready to blow a fuse with them. I am more than happy to pay whatever it takes for my dog and I will do without myself. But - between the vet nurses being rude and the vet's don't give a toss. I had him in this morning and I was apologising to the vet for being late - (when I thought about it afterwards I was like I gave him 200euro and I was sorry to keep him waiting) he asked how was the dog and that was it. he then legged it. of course the poor dog is not good, they put him on new heart medication about 2 weeks ago and he is not doing so good as in out of breath and he only walks a very short distance. I am so furious and feel so powerless.
on top of this - I have just moved back to Dublin for a new job in the last 2 weeks and my parents are minding my cavalier.
I want to get a second opinion as I do not trust the vet's in Kilkenny and quite frankly they don't deserve to do well. I am not an unreasonable customer. if I was going to a doctor I would expect good service.
anyhow - can anyone recommend a good pet vet in Dublin - I am living in kilmainham but will travel anywhere to get the best advice. thank you.

mosi

I can't fault my own vets, Anicare on Botanic Road, Glasnevin. I've found them to be very caring and thorough with my three. The Anicare group also has a clinic in Palmerstown if that would be more convenient for you. I've used them in the past and have experienced the same level of care there.

tk123

mosi wrote: »

I can't fault my own vets, Anicare on Botanic Road, Glasnevin. I've found them to be very caring and thorough with my three. The Anicare group also has a clinic in Palmerstown if that would be more convenient for you. I've used them in the past and have experienced the same level of care there.

Our vets too - if you're going ask for an appointment with Mary. She always goes the extra mile and had arranged second opinions for us in the past with specialists etc.

e.r

Same as other guy's cant fault botanic vet, bring my beagle there.

jandm

Our vet Tom Mullany in Nutgrove Veterinary Hospital is also a heart specialist so it would be worth while to have him examine your dog.
He and the other vets in the practice are fantastic with our dogs.

mly

I would highly recommend Eamonn at Blackrock Vets!

Millem

Our vet is mark or Adrienne (she is on maternity leave at the mo) in terenure/dundrum vets. Amazing amazing wouldn't go anywhere else
http://www.southdublinvets.ie
If it is a heart problem there is a cardiologist Anne French (from Scotland) who flies in once a month to UCD, one of my dogs used to see her and get ultrasounds done. She got us to try a variety of meds as one sent her loopy!

DBB

Mark is brilliant, an absolute gem. As is Adrienne, but I'd know Mark better.
But I also have to agree that Eamon in Blackrock is super too!
Both vets are very generous towards rescues, and genuinely nice fellas.
Yiz are lucky up in the Big Shmoke, there are some wonderful vets up there!

Millem

DBB wrote: »

Mark is brilliant, an absolute gem. As is Adrienne, but I'd know Mark better.
But I also have to agree that Eamon in Blackrock is super too!
Both vets are very generous towards rescues, and genuinely nice fellas.
Yiz are lucky up in the Big Shmoke, there are some wonderful vets up there!

Wouldn't go anywhere else! Years ago we moved from terenure and still kept going to mark, then he opened up in Dundrum which was great for us and then last summer we moved back to terenure love adrienne too she is brill!

TrishSimon

countryliving wrote: »

hello board members, I have a cavalier king Charles who is 8 years of age.
poor dog has a few health problems - arthritis and now the heart.
I have been going to a vet in Kilkenny for the last 8 years and honest to god I am ready to blow a fuse with them. I am more than happy to pay whatever it takes for my dog and I will do without myself. But - between the vet nurses being rude and the vet's don't give a toss. I had him in this morning and I was apologising to the vet for being late - (when I thought about it afterwards I was like I gave him 200euro and I was sorry to keep him waiting) he asked how was the dog and that was it. he then legged it. of course the poor dog is not good, they put him on new heart medication about 2 weeks ago and he is not doing so good as in out of breath and he only walks a very short distance. I am so furious and feel so powerless.
on top of this - I have just moved back to Dublin for a new job in the last 2 weeks and my parents are minding my cavalier.
I want to get a second opinion as I do not trust the vet's in Kilkenny and quite frankly they don't deserve to do well. I am not an unreasonable customer. if I was going to a doctor I would expect good service.
anyhow - can anyone recommend a good pet vet in Dublin - I am living in kilmainham but will travel anywhere to get the best advice. thank you.

Cottage vets in Newbridge in Kildare are amazing they have saved so many animals on the brink or if in Dublin Pat Keating from Raheny vets he is brilliant not too expensive and is the vet that TV3 have on each week :P

lorebringer

pm sent

countryliving

hello everyone - i would like to thank you all most sincerely for your responses and for taking the time to help me.
as a dog owner and lover i feel i have a responsibility towards my cavalier and i want to give him the best life possible and look after him very well and ensure that he is happy.
the more i read about all the great vets in dublin and the choice that I have -

aonb

let us know how things go on with your little dog - a good vet is so important for peace of mind nevermind care for your pet

countryliving

I just have to try and decide which vet to go and see now..thank you so much for the responses. my dog means everything to me and the more i read your responses the more i think - that vet practice in kilkenny does not deserve to do well. glory be - one of the vet nurses was fired from another practice in kilkenny and is now in this practice and honestly she is so rude, lost her temper with a cat that was a stray. even last saturday morning i went into get harry's 3rd cartivan injection for arthritis and the vet who i know for years just went how is he - and that was it gave him the injection and walked away and i dropped 200euro. i told him he is not the best - his heart tablets were changed and he is panting after short walks. i seemed to be an inconvenience to this vet on a saturday. don't get me wrong - i am reasonable and fair, i know people have bad days but ah this vet practice is known as the place for small animals but i am just fed up of them and what i feel is sloppiness, general don't care attitude or rudeness and i spend probably 2,500 euro there per year - i expect good service. i know what happened last sat seems minor but its the indifference.
thank you very much for your replies - just have to decide which vet to attend. i really appreciate your help board members cause i really didnt know what to do and i felt there has to be other options out there than putting up with indifference and don't want to know attitude

snoman

countryliving wrote: »

... but i am just fed up of them and what i feel is sloppiness, general don't care attitude or rudeness and i spend probably 2,500 euro there per year - i expect good service. i know what happened last sat seems minor but its the indifference. ...

Living with a pet who has a chronic condition is hard enough both financially and emotionalally without the additional stress of an unsympathetic vet and rude veterinary staff. At the crudest level you are a client and they are providing a service for which you are paying.

Also if you don't feel comfortable listing all your worries and observations then you can't convey the full extent of your pets symptoms. Definitely move to a more sympathetic practice and, if you feel you can, inform your current practice precisely why you are moving. Good luck whatever.

mistress_gi

I alwayd take my dog to carey and keane in kilmainham. I find them very good. Aprocheable and not so expensive.

SingItOut

Hi OP I know it's not Dublin but I always take my pets to Vet care carlow and the vets are always lovely and can't do enough for my pets and my pets get excited to see them. My boyfriend lives in Dublin and used UCD vet hospital when his Siberian husky broke his shoulder and he said the vets were lovely and very good.

fatmammycat

Mark from Ternure has been looking after all our pets for years, I totally support the good will he receives, kind, patient and excellet at his job. He's top notch.

countryliving

thank you for your advice snoman.
all what you say is true and yes i am worried about harry and trying to ensure that he is happy and being looked after the best i can do.
and it is stressful at the moment cause i am not sure if harry is in pain and i dont think current heart medication is doing the job.
i would absolutely love to say it to the vet practice but - problem is kilkenny is too small and i am bound to bump into one of the vet's and i am the one to feel embaressed...i know its dreadful but honestly they don't deserve to do well. thank you again.

snoman

countryliving wrote: »

i would absolutely love to say it to the vet practice but - problem is kilkenny is too small and i am bound to bump into one of the vet's and i am the one to feel embaressed...i know its dreadful but honestly they don't deserve to do well. thank you again.

I completely understand. Move on to your new vet and enjoy your lovely boy. A good vet will make all the difference to you both.

aonb

Countryliving, I cant believe you have put up with that rudeness and lack of interest - you will be so happy when you find an interested/kind/good vet, you will never look back. Hopefully they will improve your dogs condition if possible too. As snoman says, its hard enough to have a dog with health issues without having a crap vet too. Hope your dog does well with his new vet - best of luck!

countryliving

Just reading through the replies again.
Well - I have put up with this vet practice for years for sure - cause I guess I didn't know any different and these are supposed to be the best in Kilkenny. I guess as well it is only when a health issue is highlighted and I am worried about the dog that you really get exasperated with the vet. sure my father uses a vet for farming - large animals and I went once years ago with harry. oh god I didn't mind that the place was tumbling down and like an ice box but the vet was so gruff and didn't want small animals wasn't set up for it and I never went back. that was for a booster injection. so I was glad to revert to the other place in Kilkenny. as I said I would love to say it straight to their faces but it is hard when your from a place and nothing surer id run into them around town etc....another incident about 2 months ago harry got his teeth out so I arranged with the vet to drop harry in for 10am and collect at 11.30am so no stress on the dog being in the cage. I return at 12noon and harry was still in the cage never bothered to ring me. apparently 1 vet was called out on an emergency but there was another lady vet there. the nurse is evil - like that poor cat is a stray that was there and one day I was collecting tablets and the cat flies over the counter in front of me. its a lovely cat. sure I didn't mind - that is what cats do and this nurse tears after the cat shouting and giving out to the cat goes into a room shouts some more and slams the door leaving the cat in the room. I was left standing with my mouth open - I mean really? have you any kindness at all. this practice does not deserve to do well.
I am very reasonable and fair and just want a little kindness and a good vet. I deal with customers a lot myself and you have to give it your best at all times and that is it. thank you for allowing me rant and get all this off my chest! and for showing me I don't have to put up with a bad vet. now I just have to try and decide what vet to pick from all your suggestions, thank you very much again

TrishSimon

countryliving wrote: »

Just reading through the replies again.
Well - I have put up with this vet practice for years for sure - cause I guess I didn't know any different and these are supposed to be the best in Kilkenny. I guess as well it is only when a health issue is highlighted and I am worried about the dog that you really get exasperated with the vet. sure my father uses a vet for farming - large animals and I went once years ago with harry. oh god I didn't mind that the place was tumbling down and like an ice box but the vet was so gruff and didn't want small animals wasn't set up for it and I never went back. that was for a booster injection. so I was glad to revert to the other place in Kilkenny. as I said I would love to say it straight to their faces but it is hard when your from a place and nothing surer id run into them around town etc....another incident about 2 months ago harry got his teeth out so I arranged with the vet to drop harry in for 10am and collect at 11.30am so no stress on the dog being in the cage. I return at 12noon and harry was still in the cage never bothered to ring me. apparently 1 vet was called out on an emergency but there was another lady vet there. the nurse is evil - like that poor cat is a stray that was there and one day I was collecting tablets and the cat flies over the counter in front of me. its a lovely cat. sure I didn't mind - that is what cats do and this nurse tears after the cat shouting and giving out to the cat goes into a room shouts some more and slams the door leaving the cat in the room. I was left standing with my mouth open - I mean really? have you any kindness at all. this practice does not deserve to do well.
I am very reasonable and fair and just want a little kindness and a good vet. I deal with customers a lot myself and you have to give it your best at all times and that is it. thank you for allowing me rant and get all this off my chest! and for showing me I don't have to put up with a bad vet. now I just have to try and decide what vet to pick from all your suggestions, thank you very much again

@countryliving it sounds like you should report that practice it sounds like a hell hole for animals, change vets if I was you. In this day and age there is no room for bad vetinary care. Take my advice and change asap, I am involved in animal rescue and had an emergency on Sunday night just gone we went to a vet in Dublin 6 as he was the only one that was open and he was a disaster the dog died at 6am on Paddys day, his surgery was filthy, he was shaky he didnt even have a computer everything as wrote down on cards, we were flabergasted at the state of the place he was attetive to the dog and yes he was very ill and gave him IV and antibiotics but he left him for 6 hours whilst he went to bed as he lives in the practive ( its a house ) and Tarlo died, we were devastated and still had to pay 180.00 so my advice is go with your gut feeling and change vets for the health and safety of the dog, we should have walked right back out of that vets on Sunday and drove around until we found a good one and maybe the dog would have been alive

countryliving

ah i am so sorry to hear that. i am so sorry to hear that. that is a very sad story. my heart goes out to you and i am so so sad to hear that. thank you for your advice. appreciated. what a nightmare of a story however - i guess you have reported that practice and it should be closed down and at least you have taken action but it does not bring back your precious dog. god help you i am so sorry. rest assured you did what you could and driving around would not have saved your dog. you did what you had to do and what any owner would do - bring your dog to a vet and you were probably so stressed about your sick wuff - in fairness you were going to a vet and you did not think that the vet would be so incompetent. you did what you had to do. i am sorry again for your loss.dont feel guilt.

TrishSimon

countryliving wrote: »

ah i am so sorry to hear that. i am so sorry to hear that. that is a very sad story. my heart goes out to you and i am so so sad to hear that. thank you for your advice. appreciated. what a nightmare of a story however - i guess you have reported that practice and it should be closed down and at least you have taken action but it does not bring back your precious dog. god help you i am so sorry. rest assured you did what you could and driving around would not have saved your dog. you did what you had to do and what any owner would do - bring your dog to a vet and you were probably so stressed about your sick wuff - in fairness you were going to a vet and you did not think that the vet would be so incompetent. you did what you had to do. i am sorry again for your loss.dont feel guilt.

Thanks countryliving I am okay now he was a foster dog I have seen many animals over the year pass over through neglect and also because they had to be put to sleep, we are in the process of deciding whether to report the vet or not the practive is his house and he looks after his mother so we have to be very careful about reporting him. I am sure you have had many recommendations of vets in Dublin and outside of Dublin and I am sure you will find a great one.
We pay alot of money for our pets so we should get the best service !

Millem

TrishSimon wrote: »

@countryliving it sounds like you should report that practice it sounds like a hell hole for animals, change vets if I was you. In this day and age there is no room for bad vetinary care. Take my advice and change asap, I am involved in animal rescue and had an emergency on Sunday night just gone we went to a vet in Dublin 6 as he was the only one that was open and he was a disaster the dog died at 6am on Paddys day, his surgery was filthy, he was shaky he didnt even have a computer everything as wrote down on cards, we were flabergasted at the state of the place he was attetive to the dog and yes he was very ill and gave him IV and antibiotics but he left him for 6 hours whilst he went to bed as he lives in the practive ( its a house ) and Tarlo died, we were devastated and still had to pay 180.00 so my advice is go with your gut feeling and change vets for the health and safety of the dog, we should have walked right back out of that vets on Sunday and drove around until we found a good one and maybe the dog would have been alive

That is so so so terrible, you wouldn't think that would go on in this day and age! it really does make me appreciate Mark in terenure even more! On one occasion we ran out of the oldies incontinence meds (over weekend) left him a voicemail he rang straight back and left her medicine in his porch (as he had to do a house visit). Another time after first dog was speyed she blood/fluid started coming out in between stitches he got me to come in (this was on a Sunday) to check her and didn't even charge me , we didn't even know him as had only had one visit and it was dogs fault for being such a goose amazing amazing

TrishSimon

Millem wrote: »

That is so so so terrible, you wouldn't think that would go on in this day and age! it really does make me appreciate Mark in terenure even more! On one occasion we ran out of the oldies incontinence meds (over weekend) left him a voicemail he rang straight back and left her medicine in his porch (as he had to do a house visit). Another time after first dog was speyed she blood/fluid started coming out in between stitches he got me to come in (this was on a Sunday) to check her and didn't even charge me , we didn't even know him as had only had one visit and it was dogs fault for being such a goose amazing amazing

He sounds really good this guy is in Terenure too but isn't Mark, I won't mention names but I wont be going back there again and I don't even know how he has customers to be honest as the place is so dirty and old. I work for a company that sells x-ray machines and sometimes to vets and my boss knows him and said he wouldn't give any animal to him to help...unfortunately we didn't know that Sun or else would have gone to UCD or someone else.

countryliving

Hello Board members and dog lovers - well my update is; I brought my 8 year old cavalier king charles to cara vet in blanchardstown and met a lovely vet (in fairness any vet would be better than what I experienced in kilkenny) anyhow spend about an hour with me and boy did she check and keep checking my wuff to see if he had a heart problem. Her answer was 'no' heart problem. then she asked me to come back to get a second opinion for free from a different vet in the practice so I did and he detected a heart mumor and rated it at a '1'. This would not justify the dog being on any medication. the vet told me he has a 10 year old cavalier who has a heart murmor of 5 and is not on medication. I asked him about my dog having arthritis and the vet said 'no' he didnt think my dog had arthritis either. i have been going to get cartivan injections every 6 months.
then finally we spoke about whether the dog was chipped. the vet wanted to have his chip on record and this finished me altogether as I was paranoid when he was a pup about getting stolen so i had him chipped or so I thought. the dog was not chipped. Needless to mention I am so angry and I rang the practice in a rage and spoke to the vet - got no satisfaction as expected he just manipulated me around and basically said when he saw the dog he had a heart problem. anyhow - i am still so angry and furious. i feel this vet was making an eijid out of me and playing on the fact that i am soft on my dog and pumping me for money. i believe it was unethical the way he treated my dog. thank god the dog is still alive and since he has been off the medication over the last 2 and half weeks he is in great form lively and smiling. what are the effects of the medication. can anyone help me? In some ways i am afraid of this vet - sure i have no power at all but on principle he deserves to be reprimanded. the vet in dublin told me the veterinary council never act on these type of cases. I just want him to know he has done very very wrong and pumping me for money (which i didnt have - as I was unemployed and struggling to pay bills over the last few years) i am working now and my salary is not great but i am so grateful to have a job again. but - it is my dog i worry about and i feel so guilty for putting him through all that i could cry with the upset of it all and i have and can anyone suggest what i can do? i rang the vet last saturday and i came off the phone in tears he was so nasty and horrible to me and it was horrible. my sole concern is my wuff and for his sake and his little life I want to protect him. as i said to the vet i trusted you with my dog for 8 years.

Stheno

Anyone know where Sandra who used to be based in Clonsilla is now?

Possibly one of the best vets ever, she gave a dog I had who was recommended to be pts by three other vets, three years of life.

aonb

Countryliving, what a horrible time you have had with the vet in Kilkenny.
You are so lucky that your little dog is still with you and well, that I think you really have to just forget about what went before, and get on with your new life in Dublin, with your job and your now healthy dog.

The problem with 'lay-people' is that they are intimidated by doctors/vets/other professionals. What do we know about our animals health when a vet is telling us that something needs to be done. We cant question it because our animals health is at issue. We love our pets and only want what we believe to be best for them - based on what the medical expert is telling us.

So, your dog is ok. Enjoy every minute of life you have with him. His heart is ok, he doesnt have arthritis. Rejoice in that! Move onwards now with your healthy dog, and enjoy life together, forget about that nightmare vet in Kilkenny. If your new vet has said there is nothing you can do about it from the Vet council point of view, I would leave it there - these things can fester and torment us. If it makes you feel better, maybe you could just send an email or letter to the vet. council outlining your issues with that vet, but dont let it take your life over.

Great news that your dog is good, and that you have found a vet that you can trust and are happy with. Wish you and your dog the very best going forward.