Local vets for a dog (plus other questions).

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
As you may have seen in the other thread I have just acquired myself a dog, but it's my first since my late teens. Just wondering about peoples recommendations for a local vet, was thinking Island or Park House? I've used the Island before with the rabbits, and apart from one incident were brilliant. If anyone has used either currently I'd love to hear both good and bad stories.

I'll likely get her insured too, but I've never looked at dog insurance before. I can get it for about £10/m for a lifetime plan with 3-5k/year limits, is that OK? And if I do this any limitations I should know of? Do any of the vets do their own plans?

I have the chip card to register but it says it needs the vet code, which I don't have. Is that the vet I use or should it have been the one that chipped it? I also can't read what they've put for the vaccinations, the next due could be anything but I think it says 3-4 weeks. She's 8 weeks old and had her first jabs on 15/01 so I guess I need to get her in soon, hence wanting to find a good vet.

Here's a pic from the other thread, just cos I want to :D

BwjgBmP.jpg
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
I use Park House and they're good but quite expensive.

A certain dog handler (we both know) uses the Island and says they're very good. He also has an insurance policy that covers most conditions and medication for his dogs. I think I've got his number of you want to call him.

Re insurance definitely get some particularly as the collie in her means she's going to be active and vets bills are massive.

Do NOT use Direct Line. They refuse or try to reduce every claim, keep changing the terms and argue about every claim.

Key things to check on a policy
Do they cover a recurring/similar injury eg if the dog breaks one leg do they cover other leg breaks in the future?

If they do is it timebound eg if the second leg break is after X years you may not be covered

What medication/conditions/treatments aren't covered?

Is treatment timebound eg how long are you covered for from the first diagnosis of a condition?

Does your cover change with the dog's age?

How long do they take to pay claims?

How much is the excess?

Another thing to consider is if you change insurers in the future they may not accept any existing conditions (hence why Bee's still with Direct Line).


PS you haven't said what her name is it
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
She's called mango :)

Thanks both, looks like park house is going to be the one. I'll look at insurance again now.
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
As you may have seen in the other thread I have just acquired myself a dog, but it's my first since my late teens. Just wondering about peoples recommendations for a local vet, was thinking Island or Park House? I've used the Island before with the rabbits, and apart from one incident were brilliant. If anyone has used either currently I'd love to hear both good and bad stories.

I'll likely get her insured too, but I've never looked at dog insurance before. I can get it for about £10/m for a lifetime plan with 3-5k/year limits, is that OK? And if I do this any limitations I should know of? Do any of the vets do their own plans?

I have the chip card to register but it says it needs the vet code, which I don't have. Is that the vet I use or should it have been the one that chipped it? I also can't read what they've put for the vaccinations, the next due could be anything but I think it says 3-4 weeks. She's 8 weeks old and had her first jabs on 15/01 so I guess I need to get her in soon, hence wanting to find a good vet.

Here's a pic from the other thread, just cos I want to :D

BwjgBmP.jpg
Post all the pics you want, she's a beauty.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
For insurance we use Petplan.

They certainly aren’t the cheapest but like most things you get what you pay for.

Years ago our cat got run over.
After several operations when it was touch and go our cat sadly didn’t make it.
The bill was £3500. The receptionist asked if we were insured, and if so, who with.
She breathed a sigh of relief on our behalf when we said Petplan. She said they are one of the few that pay up without a quibble.
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite
She's called mango :)

Thanks both, looks like park house is going to be the one. I'll look at insurance again now.

Ask for Ben or Nick if you use Park House. All of their vets are really good but I'd pick Ben or Nick first.

Re the insurance Ben can probably recommend some good ones but check he's not linked with any.
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
On another note - please start a thread for Mango and keep us updated! More pictures!!

Lol, will do!
Last night at about 3:45 she decided she was wide awake and started doing laps of the living room and trying to bite everything before taking a dump under the dining table, then attacking the paper as I tried to clean up. If she wasn't so cute we'd have had words! To be fair though she can't get out, and doesn't even understand out yet. Now the snow has gone we can go in the garden more, she really wasn't keen before.
 

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
Lol, will do!
Last night at about 3:45 she decided she was wide awake and started doing laps of the living room and trying to bite everything before taking a dump under the dining table, then attacking the paper as I tried to clean up. If she wasn't so cute we'd have had words! To be fair though she can't get out, and doesn't even understand out yet. Now the snow has gone we can go in the garden more, she really wasn't keen before.

I think Mango and Rune would be the best of friends!

His favourite game is 'bitey toes' at 3am followed by a relaxing giant poop...
 

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Understands sit (although regularly does without asking!), comes when called unless there is something more interesting, follows well unless on the lead when she likes to remind you she can stop if she wants. Can run around outside for half an hour fine before coming inside for a poo :rolleyes:

IEZYWvG.jpg


eiwkBMt.jpg


View through the window last night, she follows my OH like a shadow :D
sICE043.jpg
 
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