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How
do I Choose the Right Veterinarian?
by Marty Smith,
DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
"Talk
to other pet owners about the quality of care they feel they receive
from their veterinarian."
Choosing a
veterinarian that is right for you and your pet isn't always easy.
You want to find a veterinarian with whom you and your pet can
feel comfortable and can build a trusting relationship. And you
want to find that vet before you get a pet -the veterinarian may
be able to help you select the right one. If you have moved or
for some other reason need to change veterinarians, find a new
veterinarian before your pet becomes ill.
Listed below
are what we feel are some of the most important criteria to look
for when selecting a veterinarian for your dog or cat:
Services
Find out what
services are available including orthopedic surgery, dentistry,
nutrition counseling, behavior counseling, ultrasound, endoscopy,
laboratory testing and radiology (x-rays). Determine if the veterinarian
is willing to refer difficult cases to specialists, and which
specialists. Check on which auxiliary services may be available
such as boarding and grooming.
Emergency
service
Make sure
the clinic you choose provides emergency service for "after hours"
situations. Today, many veterinarians have banded together to
share their emergency calls. Your vet may not be "on call" when
you need service, but at least you can receive the care you need
in an emergency. Some areas have emergency clinics where all local
clinics refer their after-hours calls. Just be sure you know where
to go before an emergency occurs.
Which veterinarian?
If there are
several doctors working at the same clinic, find out if you will
get the same doctor each visit, or if you will have to see whoever
is next in line. This is important because you need to develop
a relationship of understanding with your veterinarian, particularly
with prolonged illnesses. Also, your pet will often do better
if he sees the same doctor. Find out if the veterinarian is a
member of any professional veterinary association and/ or has
a specialty.
Reputation
Check with
other pet owners regarding the quality of care they feel their
pets have received...including emergency care. Breed clubs may
also be a good source of information. There can always be personality
conflicts, but good veterinarians quickly build a large and loyal
client base.
Office
hours
Check to be
sure the regular office hours are compatible with your schedule.
Facility
The facility
location may be important to you if your travel time or means
are restricted. Check to see that the facility is clean and there
are no unpleasant odors.
Staff
Are the staff
knowledgeable and courteous? Are phone calls answered quickly?
Are you put on "hold" for long periods of time?
Cost
Don't make
cost your determining factor when choosing a veterinarian. It
is very difficult to compare costs for medical services because
every veterinarian practices differently. Expect to pay a fair
price for the services received. In a critical situation, cost
is usually not your first concern, so choose quality care above
all else. Your pet is more than a financial investment. Along
with cost, check on the accepted methods of payment. Must the
services be paid for the day they are received?
As part of
your search, pay a visit to the facilities you are interested
in and have a tour. Make appointments to meet the veterinarians.
If your pet has ongoing medical or behavioral problems, find out
if the veterinarian is comfortable in treating those problems.
The relationship
between you, your pet, and your veterinarian is hopefully going
to last for years, so take time to find the right fit. Once you
have found that veterinarian, we strongly recommend regular veterinary
visits, or at the very least, annual physical exams.
© 2000 Drs.
Foster and Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com
(http://www.PetEducation.com)
On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com
Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208
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