Part of being a responsible pet owner is making sure that your animal has access to the best possible care. In fact, the best time to select your pet’s veterinarian is before you even bring him or her home. Even if you’ve had your pet for years, it’s still important to give a lot of thought to whom you’ll trust with his or her health needs. Here are some helpful tips for finding the right fit for both you and your furry friend.
Get Referrals
Even if your friends aren’t animal experts, they can still offer great recommendations from personal experiences with animal hospitals in the area. They’ll let you know if the office returns calls, how the techs handle the animals, etc. Nothing beats a personal testimonial.
Keep Expertise in Mind
Not all animal doctors treat the same pets. Although most DVMs and VMDs can treat most pets, some special in small animals, while others work with exotics, and so on. The veterinarian that will treat your Persian cat is very different from the one that will treat a prize-winning horse. It’s always best to go to someone that specializes in your pet’s particular species. You’ll also want to make sure the animal hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Understand Practice Philosophy
It’s important that you find a veterinarian who is on the same page as you when it comes to practice philosophy. What is he or she’s opinion on pain management? How are emergencies handled? Is the practice more traditional or are alternative treatment methods used? You’ll be much happier with your pet’s care if you know upfront that you and the vet are in agreement about big issues like vaccinations and antibiotics.
Make a Visit
Make the decision for yourself by scheduling an appointment for your pet. Don’t hesitate to check out more than one location before making a decision. You’ll learn a lot simply by stepping into a clinic or hospital. Look around to see how clean and organized the space is and note how the staff treats you.
Take your time speaking with the veterinarian during your appointment. You need to be sure that you’ll be comfortable communicating with him or her in the future. Remember, you’re perfectly free to shop around for a while before finding the perfect fit for your pet. To know more about veterinarian visit All Creatures Hospital. You can also connect with them on Facebook.
