Tips for Choosing a Good Veterinarian
Things to Consider and Questions to Ask
Here are some things to consider when searching for a veterinarian:
1. The first thing you should do is ask around. Other pet owners can offer good insight regarding a veterinarian's personality and expertise--
A veterinarian's bedside manner can be nearly as important as the degree on the wall. Most pet owners are willing to discuss their personal experiences with veterinarians and can give you a better idea, than a yellow pages ad, of what a particular veterinarian is like.
2. How clean is the clinic? Good veterinarians know that cleanliness and good sanitation is important not only in the operating room, but elsewhere in the clinic as well.
3. What are the fees for basic care, for surgeries? How do the fees compare with other clinics in the region?
Here are some questions you may want to ask the veterinarian or the clinic staff:
Does the veterinary clinic offer boarding?
Where are the animals kenneled if they must stay overnight?
Most veterinarians will be willing to let you see the room where your pet will be kept.
Are cats and dogs (or other animals) kept in separate rooms if left overnight?
Keeping cats and dogs separate may not be medically necessary (a lot depends on the animal's temperament); however, the last thing an ill or injured needs is extra stress.
Some vet clinics even have separate waiting rooms for dogs and cats. If your pet is a cat, you may wish to find out if there is a cat hospital in your region or a veterinarian who specializes in feline care.
What kind of anesthetic is used during surgical procedures?
Some kinds of anesthesia are safer than others. Isoflurane gas, for instance, is currently considered one of the safest veterinary anesthetics available. Rapid adjustments to the gas anesthesia are easily made, and after surgery the animal usually recovers from the anesthesia quickly.
Are basic lab services available on-site?
This will vary greatly from clinic to clinic. It is common for clinics to send blood work and other samples to outside labs for processing. Most veterinary clinics, however, can do simple fecal analysis and some other tests on-site. Whether or not a clinic sends lab work off-site is usually not critical. I've found it helpful, though, to know as much as possible about a veterinary clinic ahead of time. When one of my pets needs a check-up, I like to have a rough idea of what to expect.
Choosing a good veterinarian can, sometimes, be a bit stressful. If you keep in mind what you are looking for in a veterinarian, the stress of the search will be greatly diminished.
Published by Chris M. Carmichael
Chris M. Carmichael writes on a wide range of topics and has a broad range of interests (and experience), including Screenwriting, Acting, Forensic Science, Pets, Martial Arts and Abnormal Psychology. Chris... View profile
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16 Comments
Post a CommentI fortunately have acess to a great veterinary hospital which also offer 24-hour emergency care and boarding. My "little guy" needs to go for an appointment soon which might require surgery and a short stay. Thanks for the tip on the anesthesia...I did not know this. Very helfpul article!
excellent article-- we have our vet-- but are always in communication with other rescues about new vets!!!!
Great article and tips! I love our vet. The clinic looks just like a house from the outside. They keep the animals separated, even when it comes to the examining rooms--which I thought was pretty neat. Research does pay off. The vet also graduated from A&M, the best Veterinary school in Texas, he really knows his stuff. Get this, sometimes he even answers the phone during business hours; and afterwards the business phone transfers to his cell for emergencies.
Very good advice- this is sooo important.
Wonderful article!!! Very good points to consider when making this very important decision!
Lori--hey, that's a great tip too!
Thank you for the comments, everyone :)
Great ideas! I found my vet through a no-kill animal shelter. The vet did volunteer work for the shelter, so I figured she must care a lot about animals. She's the best vet ever!
absolutely great tips, I had a bad experience with a vet once and now I'm very careful when choosing another...I think I actually found a winner last year..;)
I think I already have a good vet and I used your article as a tool to evaluate them. Great information in your article! :D