Selecting your vet
- Posted on 19th September 2010
- in Featured
- by jvfairbanks
Selecting Your Vet…
•Some of my owners ask for suggestions about selecting a vet. I have found the best vet is by recommendation! Choosing a doctor for your pet is a very personal and long term commitment.
•Ask your friends and other respected pet owners who they recommend and why.
•Visit more than one office talking to the receptionist and the doctor if their schedule allows it.
•Try to visit first without your puppy and then with your puppy. Trust your puppy vibes. If miserable, try another; if still miserable maybe it is not the vet. 🙂
•Observe the area and trust your heart and gut.
◦Are the people friendly?
◦Does it appear there is enough staff?
◦What is their policy for “after hours” emergencies?
◦how does it smell?
◦Is the office clean and well organized?
◦Do they allow you to tour the facilities? That is a good sign.
◦Do you feel welcome and comfortable?
◦Are there resources available in the waiting room?
◦Does it seem to be running on time and not over booked?
◦What is the average wait time for getting an appointment?
◦How long is the wait in the waiting area in general?
◦Do the other dogs seem okay with visiting? Other owners?
◦Ask your vet where they studied and how long have they been practicing. Do they “farm out” serious illness and operations or do they have specialists?
◦compare costs of shots, monthly flea applications and basic health visits. When trying to decide which one to go with; this can help make your decision. A word of caution; I strongly feel you get what you pay for. Weigh it all. We pay more for a vet for monthly visits and puppy check ups but he is available for home visits and weekend emergencies. Our dogs love him and his assistants compared to “cheaper” more HMO type pet clinics. We are breeders so visit more frequently than you might; so weigh it all.
