I Need Your Opinions

[mustluvdogs1]

I had a great client that has 3 lil dogs, a chihuawhua, and two poms. I groomed them every 4-5 weeks. baths and sanitarys for the pom girls. Sometimes more often for some event . The owner was very friendly and we would sit atthe kitchen table and visit after grooms. I was also invited to two X Mas Eve parties last two years, talked about going to Ryans'pet supply, then having lunch. I also had lunch with her after some grooms. She said she considered me a friend. Well, the lil chi developed seizures and they increased after the meds worked for just a short time. Owner went to the vet and the vet was referred to me by her two months ago for my dog Traveler.The woman vet has a vet tech friend who worked side by side with vet tech/mobile groomer. The vet gave many referrals for tech friend to patients and suggested the tech /groomer become the dogs' new groomer for the Chi's best interest. The owner cancelled with me short notice and had tech once so far. The owner of the dogs didn't handle the situation well and just dropped me until I asked her what I may have done wrong. Nothing, the vet asked her if she would let her friend, a new groomer (I don't know) take over and become the new groomer. The owner believes a tech is better able to do a 15 minute bath and dry and the dog is safer in the event he seizures. I feel it is a conflict of interest, biased, and unprofessional of the vet who knew I was referred to her for my dogTraveler and I was the original groomer. Am I wrong to feel this vet disregarded my feelings in deference to her friend? The hospital refused my cards saying they don't refer groomers. The vet is where I find fault, the groomer did not know I lost out. I was not invisible to vet, she knew I was Mrs. S groomer. She had no reason to switch until she was concerned for the dog. I am of the opinion you can't do much for a dog in seizure but comfort and stop the groom and take back to the owner. What can a tech do I can't do? Miffed. IF he were to die, better it not be in my care in my van . But I lost all 3 dogs in the deal and only one needs a tech, if that. It is the principal of the thing. I do feel God may be protecting me from a sad situation down the road and I accept that. They will be replaced w/ equal or better. I was very hurt at first. Shocked too.There is no vet or hospital near by, just another mobile groomer who was a vet tech. Life is not fair, but is this unprofessional of the vet?

[Pixie]

I would probably be a bit upset too, at first. But as you said it could be a blessing in disguise. After a while of going to this other groomer she may come back to you, deciding she doesn't need a vet tech groomer after all. Right now she is concerned about her little dog and is thinking of her pet. I'm sure you would do the same thing if it were one of yours and was told by the vet it may be safer for your pet. Maybe after the scare of this is gone you may have a client back again, if not, go on and don't stew over it. You may want to keep in touch with her to see how her chi is doing, let her know that you are concerned also.

[c.c.]

I personally would prefer all pets with possible medical issues be groomed at the vets. I would tell the owner that I certainly miss having her dogs, but understand that she's more comfortable knowing the vet is nearby. I'd then assure her that I'm available to her if she ever needs me in the future. I do understand your dissapointment though.

[mustluvdogs1]

Main question....

Am I justified in feeling betrayed by the vet? It isn't the groomers' fault. What can a vet tech do who has only been a groomer a year or two as opposed to a 30 yr. experienced groomer? Was vet biased and unprofessional in disregarding my long term relatinship with the client? I am going to a new vet next time. My "Traveler" is fine BTW. Might not ever had Valley Fever at all.

[c.c.]

I don't think we really know what the vet said.....The client might have wanted to make you think the vet suggested it, when in fact SHE just felt more comfortable having it done at the vet's office.

[pawspagroomer]

It is most likely a blessing in disguise, however I sympathize with your feelings towards the vet. Awfully funny the vet doesn't do referrals .... ..unless it's to their groomer!!??! We had a situation recently were the other goomer in my shop cut a dog- very mild snag (armpit thing). The owner picked up the dog to go to vet. Owner was fine and let me say it was a VERY mild cut-- didn't even bleed. The vet made a HUGE deal out of it. It could've been glued, but the vet opted to pad the bill and put a 10 year old dog out to suture and antibiotics, etc. All this only to add " We have an excellant groomer here at the clinic"!

[mustluvdogs1]

I already said, the vet has NO groomers

The vet tech started a mobile business 2 yrs ago approximately. She grooms at the owners home in her trailer , same as I did in my van conversion Odyssey. The vet hosp is more than six miles away.My client had no reason to ask for a new groomer, so I have to think the vet suggeted, aked her her friend could d=groom her dogs as she is new and building up her client base, and the bonus ...a vet tech, whoop de do! Is not 30 yrs of my experience worth anything?Vet refers on the side without being asked first. With so many patients, that can add up fast.

[SCISSORHANDS]

I had a great client that has 3 lil dogs, a chihuawhua, and two poms. I groomed them every 4-5 weeks. baths and sanitarys for the pom girls. Sometimes more often for some event . The owner was very friendly and we would sit atthe kitchen table and visit after grooms. I was also invited to two X Mas Eve parties last two years, talked about going to Ryans'pet supply, then having lunch. I also had lunch with her after some grooms. She said she considered me a friend. Well, the lil chi developed seizures and they increased after the meds worked for just a short time. Owner went to the vet and the vet was referred to me by her two months ago for my dog Traveler.The woman vet has a vet tech friend who worked side by side with vet tech/mobile groomer. The vet gave many referrals for tech friend to patients and suggested the tech /groomer become the dogs' new groomer for the Chi's best interest. The owner cancelled with me short notice and had tech once so far. The owner of the dogs didn't handle the situation well and just dropped me until I asked her what I may have done wrong. Nothing, the vet asked her if she would let her friend, a new groomer (I don't know) take over and become the new groomer. The owner believes a tech is better able to do a 15 minute bath and dry and the dog is safer in the event he seizures. I feel it is a conflict of interest, biased, and unprofessional of the vet who knew I was referred to her for my dogTraveler and I was the original groomer. Am I wrong to feel this vet disregarded my feelings in deference to her friend? The hospital refused my cards saying they don't refer groomers. The vet is where I find fault, the groomer did not know I lost out. I was not invisible to vet, she knew I was Mrs. S groomer. She had no reason to switch until she was concerned for the dog. I am of the opinion you can't do much for a dog in seizure but comfort and stop the groom and take back to the owner. What can a tech do I can't do? Miffed. IF he were to die, better it not be in my care in my van . But I lost all 3 dogs in the deal and only one needs a tech, if that. It is the principal of the thing. I do feel God may be protecting me from a sad situation down the road and I accept that. They will be replaced w/ equal or better. I was very hurt at first. Shocked too.There is no vet or hospital near by, just another mobile groomer who was a vet tech. Life is not fair, but is this unprofessional of the vet?

I can understand why you would be hurt to lose a friend and a client, and why you would be upset at the vet.
My business is my business and my friends are my friends. I find it easier for me to keep things this way. I am "friendly" with my customers, but I keep it at the shop. I do this because I know that I would take things personally, like what happened to you.
As for the Vet. It's kind of a "he said she said". You don't really know what was said. I guess all you can do if refer your clients to a different Vet if you feel they are unprofessional.