You may think you’re not one of those jokers who blows up the vet’s phone with every little thing…
But I think it’s worth noting that even a population of perfectly respectful clients can still manage to collectively leave an obnoxious number of after-hours texts.
Just be mindful.
This is the same with my vet. I text (his preference) for anything non-urgent. He can get back to me when he has time between appointments. I try to text during normal working hours but I have on occasion texted after hours or on a weekend, not expecting a response (more so I didn’t forget to do it the next day!) and he has responded. I have apologized and let him know I don’t expect a response on his off time, but he’s told me it’s ok (I still try not to!).
I can definitely see how asking all clients to text could turn into a nightmare, so I do my best to keep it minimal. I don’t text about every little thing asking for advice - but I’ve also been around horses a long time so I do have some experience to be able to judge if something is vet-worthy or can wait.
Text only with the Ferrier and follow up to a visit, I will text my vet. I did show her how to use the dictation option for texting so now she doesn’t have to type on her phone.
I text my vet as well for minor things. Works well.
My vet has no “office staff”, and the only numbers I have him are his cell phone and a message line he forgets to check.
Generally speaking, I think a text is less disruptive than a phone call, especially if the vet is in the middle of interacting with a client (human or equine).
So usually I call if it is in the morning or the evening, and text if it is the middle of the day or late at night.
I do not understand these comments:
If they’re at a call and see a text from me, they have to either ignore it and remember to check it later, or they interrupt another client’s visit to read my text. That doesn’t seem right.
But exactly the same would apply to a phone call.
I feel like texting is just as intrusive as calling; maybe even more so because it can be harder to ignore (for me at least) when you see part or all of the message instantly.
But you are only going to “see part or all of the message” if you are already looking at the phone!
No but I do Email him questions updates pics and videos, both for analysis and when my horses do funny stuff…I actually think he really appreciates that I share the good times since we sure have gotten theses beasts through too many bad times.
Yes, I can text both vet and farrier. I have sent picture and videos via text and it works great. I did ask when I first started using them if texting was ok. I like the option of being able to forward the message to anyone else who may need to know the info presented. I also then have a message trail to keep track. Technology is awesome.
Since you quoted me about my comment about texts potentially being intrusive, I just figured I’d articulate my line of thinking. I’ll preface this by saying not everyone feels the same way about these things, so YMMV.
I leave my phone on vibrate. If it rings and I’m talking with someone, I may completely ignore it and let it go to VM… or I may look down and see who is calling, then let it go to VM (unless I’m expecting an important call). I don’t know why they are calling. I don’t check the VM until I am free to do so. Since I don’t know the contents of the VM, I don’t think about it much until I have the chance to check that particular message.
Depending on your phone’s settings, it may or may not display the content of a text message on the screen when it is received. And pretty much all phones show the first few words of a received text when opening the messaging app to check other messages. When my phone vibrates with a text, I may also ignore it, or I may also look down to see who it is. The difference is, I can also immediately see the contents of the message and know the topic, even if I wasn’t looking at my phone for the purpose of checking that particular message. While not all people are “wired” the same way, I personally can become quite distracted by the message. Not so much if it’s something minor or regular, but if it’s something unexpected and unusual, I’m suddenly hyper-fixated on the message as opposed to whatever I’m supposed to be doing. That may be working with a client, or it may be at home relaxing on the couch-- but either way, I don’t need to be preoccupied by an outside work text at that moment.
I recognize not all people (including many vets) react the same way, but that’s the reasoning for my comment about them being intrusive. It’s also my reasoning for not sending vets complicated matters via text message without them requesting me to do so first. I started my career path in vet school and left because of the work/life balance, so I tend to be more paranoid about overstepping boundaries than many folks.
My daughter is a vet in a busy practice. She prefers texting, as long as it is between 7am and 8pm and is not a true emergency. Don’t awaken her at 3am with a text about needing a refill of routine medication! If you have an emergency, call the office number and talk with the vet on call. Texts are easy and quick to read. She can also ask for pictures and more info if you text. Texting avoids long phone messages and missed phone calls. Every practice has its own preferences. She is definitely a believer in texting.
Only once. The vet texted me the results of an emergency call blood test.
I too work with a multi vet practice. They’re all good so I don’t ask for specific vets unless we’re working on an ongoing issue. I don’t have numbers for the individual vets.
I do.
My vet is a one-woman show. She has no staff but she’s an excellent vet and has a large number of clients. Anything that is not an emergency gets texted - questions, routine appointments, etc. That way she can get back to it on her own time. I will also text her photos/video as requested. I’m careful to keep those texts on a 9-5 basis, however, and I always follow-up with a call if I don’t hear back by the end of the day.
I do physical therapy for horses (PEMF, primarily, but also K-tape and micro-vibration therapies) and my customers almost all prefer texts, though some also use email. I have a few who will text me excessively or at weird hours, but I have been consistent in not responding to texts outside of “normal business hours” and so I’d say about 95% of my customers respect that.
I do so occasionally. Vet often likes to see a picture of what is going on. Seems to work just fine.
Ask your vet how they want you to use a text number, if it is given to you.
Texting is a hugely useful tool but imagine getting overwhelmed with texts from clients out of nowhere, especially if the contact info is not on the vet’s phone.
For my vet, what she likes is that you call first. We often do follow up chatter by text that same day, and of course text and email is a great way to send pictures or videos of what you’re seeing.
I personally like texting and email because it allows me to collect my thoughts and send them more coherently, with a picture, than I can usually manage leaving a message. But, it depends on how the office is set up whether they can sort through texts and emails in the midst of the workday.
Yes. I call first but then will often follow up with an update and/or photo.
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