How to address a Vet?

variety

This might sound like a really dumb question, but how do you address a Vet?

When I leave a doctor's surgery, I say "thank you, Doctor".

And I always say "thank you, Doctor" to a Vet, too, but a new Vet (as in, new to me, he was in his 50s) gave me a funny look the other day when I said it. I know they're a 'Doctor of Veterinary Medicine', but do they use that term? Am I wrong?!?

And yes, he was a Vet, not a Veterinary Nurse. Actually, on that note, how do you address a VN? Thank you, Nurse?

scudzilla

Your Vetness, although i do believe that they get quite funny if the Bow/Courtsy is done incorrectly

Alun

I call mine Bairbre

teacherspet

Thank you o purse emptier

anniehoo

Id just call them by their first name if you're a regular client or "Thanks Mr.Smith" if not.

"Technically" you can only be called Doctor if you have a PhD (doctorate) in Ireland which alot of vets and doctors dont have. The degree is followed by the letters MVB (Bachelor of Vet Medicine). In America they have DVM (Doctor of Vet Medicine).

blondie7

just call them by there name, or else a simple "thank you" will do. The days of addressing people by a title are dead in this country. Our local priests refuse to be called Father and want to be called by there first names now.

Manach

On topic: Usually I'd say Doctor - I could not say if it is correct, but it shows respect to someone who has aided a valued pet.
I disagree about the titles in general. They denote a respect for a position earnt.

Paulyh

you could always ask him in conversation??
maybe he will say that he just prefers you call him by name. i am not a doctor/ vet but would hate to be adressed that way if i were. Informal is much more friendly and personnal.

Feargal as Luimneach

First name or "the young fella"

morganafay

I call my vet by her first name. Even with other vets that I don't know well I'd call them by their first names, or if I'd just met them I'd probably just not call them anything!

variety

Thanks for all the replies, folks. Patricularly like teacherspet's one!

I might clarify - I call them by their names (both vets and doctors) throughout the consultation, and it's only as I'm leaving that I address them formally. I agree formality all the way through can get a bit uncomfortable.

fatmammycat

I can mine Mark, but I also refer to him as 'your richness' which seem entirely appropriate considering how much money I have paid him over the years. Stupid expensive old cats.

uppishhauk

generally i avoid using titles doctor, sir etc
but if i had to i'd say doc to a vet if i didn't know their name

rubensni

anniehoo wrote: »

Id just call them by their first name if you're a regular client or "Thanks Mr.Smith" if not.

"Technically" you can only be called Doctor if you have a PhD (doctorate) in Ireland which alot of vets and doctors dont have. The degree is followed by the letters MVB (Bachelor of Vet Medicine). In America they have DVM (Doctor of Vet Medicine).

You're right about the PhD thing; most doctors here are MB BCh (bachelor of medicine and surgery) and not PhDs.

On the other side of the pond, all lawyers are now JDs (as in Juris Doctors, not the fella from Scrubs) but you'd get some strange looks if you called a lawyer doctor!

Personally, when dealing with them in a professional capacity, I call all medical doctors, vets and dentists doctor, or doc, at least until I get to know them.

Sigma Force

lol @ teacherspet

Never dawned on me to call them anything but their names, mind you I don't have a habit of calling a doctor a doctor either.

I'm terrible with remembering names anyway so usually just say thanks lol.

morganafay

rubensni wrote: »

You're right about the PhD thing; most doctors here are MB BCh (bachelor of medicine and surgery) and not PhDs.

Hmm, I'm going to refuse to call my doctor sister a doctor so . . . she's always saying Gillian McKeith isn't a real doctor, but neither is she!