SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
How
to Choose a Vet For Your Dog
Thinking about choosing a veterinarian for your new dog? Where
do you start? Usually, when picking a veterinarian, we thumb
through the phone book until we find one close to home. But
just like a doctor, you might not be happy with his “bedside”
manner. I’ve heard people complain that their animal’s veterinarian
doesn’t handle their animal well or they just didn’t like
his manner. Below are some helpful hints in choosing the
best veterinarian for your animal.
If
you have friends, family or neighbors with animals, ask
them for a recommendation. If they do, ask questions about
their experiences with the vet. How does the veterinarian handle
their animal? Is he gentle? Does he thoroughly explain to the
pet owner the health of the animal after being looked over?
It’s good to choose a veterinarian that is informative about
the animal he is checking. A veterinarian not only has to be
good with animals, but he has to be people friendly as well.
Don’t forget your instincts. After meeting the vet, if you
don’t feel good about him, don’t go back. Even if he has a
good reputation, don’t feel pressured to go back. What is good
for one person, may not be good for you.
Look up the Veterinary
Medical Board and see if he has been
any complaints again him. This way, you can eliminate without
having to go any further. You can also check with the American
Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). These are vet hospitals
that have achieved high animal care standards. These vet hospitals
fill out a detailed explanation of its equipment and services
they offer. Afterwards, a consultant inspects the facility
to ensure it meets AAHA’s standards. The following areas are
checked: medical records, dentistry, anesthesia, dentistry
and surgery. Knowing this, may give some dog owners peace of
mind before taking their animal for and of the above reasons.
There are only around 17 percent of vet hospitals around the
US and Canada that are affiliated with the AAHA. You can find
them by going through the Healthypet’s Hospital Locator.
Make an appointment to meet
the veterinarian as well as the
staff. How do they interact with customers as well as each
other? While you’re there, ask for a tour of the facility.
It would be a good idea to not ask for the tour in advance.
This way you can see how the facility is kept without being
warned of a visitor. Look for cleanliness especially in the
kennel area. If you see unclean kennels or droppings on the
floor, it might mean they do not have enough staff to care
for the animals. Sanitation is important due to the spread
of diseases among animals. Also, ask the vet if it would be
ok to sit in during a treatment of an animal. This way you
can see how he handles the animal as well as the pet owner.
You can also see if he has a genuine care for animals or does
he just see it as a job?
Any veterinarian practicing in the United States has to of
graduated from an accredited school. Just like any doctor,
he must have a license that should be on display. If you don’t
see one displayed, ask him about it. Check to make sure it
is a current license.
Ask
about emergency care? Is it even offered? Accidents can
happen to your pet, and they don’t always happen during the
8-5 Monday thru Friday schedule. Is there 24/7 emergency pet
care? Find out if your dog does have to stay overnight, will
there be a member of staff staying with him?
If possible, get a good veterinarian that is close to home.
You don’t want to drive an hour away if you have a restless
or hurting dog in the back seat.
If you have pet
insurance, find out if they accept it? If
not, what about credit cards or payment plans? Vet bills, especially
emergency bills, can be costly.
Do your homework if you want to get a respected veterinarian
that you feel safe going to. Visit several veterinarians before
making a decision, and then compare notes. Finally, go with
your instinct.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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