Mega Bored
For pet owners, the welfare of their pets should always be the top priority. And finding a good vet is key to maintaining the health of your feline or canine friends! Regardless if you are looking for a vet for the first time or you’re switching to a new vet, we’ve put together all the important factors you should consider when finding the best vet for your pet:
Recommendations, Accreditation, and Credentials
When it comes to good reputation, vets that are popular through word of mouth are your best bet. You can ask friends and loved ones for recommendations. You can also check online forums or messenger boards for comments that would take you to the right direction. When choosing a vet, credentials and licenses are the most important things you should be looking for. Most vets will display their state and national licenses in their office room or exam rooms so finding these documents shouldn’t be hard.
If a vet cannot back up his expertise with the right certification, watch out. You don’t want a quack doctor to operate on your cherished pet!
Checking the Facility
A well-organized, fully-equipped clinic is a clear indication of a capable vet. The clinic must be clean, orderly and comfortable. It should feature all the right tools and equipment needed to treat pets of all kinds. The staff must be friendly, professional and helpful. They should be attentive to the needs of the pets and owners. The vet should accommodate any requests as long as it’s related to treating the animal. Finally, the vet should be able to answer your questions or any concerns you may have related to your pet’s illness.
Assessing the Veterinarian
Do not take a sick pet to a new vet for the first time. It will be hard to gauge the performance and skills of the vet if your pet is sick and you are emotionally stressed out.
To check the expertise of the vet, take your pet for a physical exam. Bring your pet’s history of vaccinations and a summary of past health issues. The more information you can give to your new vet, the better he or she will be in making recommendations regarding caring for your pet. If you are unsatisfied with the vet’s performance in any way, we recommend moving on to a more knowledgeable health practitioner.
Asking Questions
A knowledgeable vet should be able to address all your concerns. You can ask the basic questions to start such as what routine health care he can recommend for your pet, what specific medications or shots to take, and who to see if the vet is not available for the pet’s regular checkup. You may also inquire about after-hour services, emergency calls, appointments, and costs.
Knowing what care routine to expect is important when you’re scheduling an appointment. The vet should provide the best continuity of care for the pets.
Never hesitate to ask questions and requests for your pet. As long as the requests are reasonable, then the vet is likely to accommodate them. When it comes to the health of your pet, communication between the vet and pet owner is crucial.
