Finding a Veterinarian for Your Dog
Before your dog becomes ill or needs an examination, you need to choose a veterinarian. How can you find a good vet that you can trust?
Ask your friends and neighbors who have dogs for recommendations. Pet
groomers may also be able to suggest good vets. If you liked your former
veterinary, ask him or her for a referral. Another source is online at http://www.pets911.com/services/veterinarians/ where
you can search for vets by zip code.
When you find a possible vet, set up an appointment so that you can meet
the vet and see the facilities when you aren't faced with a sick pet. Consider the following points when deciding whether this is the veterinarian to
care for your pet:
- Were you able to get an appointment easily?
- What are the office hours?
- Do these hours fit with your schedule? Can you drop off a pet for an exam and then pick up the pet later in the day?
- Are the office staff professional, and do they interact with your pet?
- Is the facility clean and maintained nicely?
- Did you have to wait for a long period before being seen? If so, did the vet at least explain why the wait was so long?
- Did the technicians appear to be courteous and knowledgeable?
- Is there more than one vet in the practice in case your vet is unavailable?
- Is there area where sick animals are kept comfortable?
- What are the costs for routine vaccinations and annual exams?
- What should be done if you have an emergency after hours?
- Is the vet on call, or do you have to go to a specialized emergency facility?
- Did the vet answer all of your questions to your satisfaction?
- Do you feel comfortable with the vet and the facilities?
- Do you like how the vet interacts with your dog?
- Are boarding facilities available? Grooming?
Pricing for services can vary widely among vets. Some vets like to see a large volume of patients in the course of a day. Their prices may be cheaper, but you could be in for a long stint in the waiting room. On the other hand, it is hard to measure quality of care, so the more expensive vets may not be any better than cheaper vets.
If you experience any hesitancy about a veterinarian, continue searching
until you find a vet that makes you feel at ease. Your dog is a member of
the family and deserves to have the best care possible.
