In a world where dog mom and dad t-shirts are prevalent and people consider themselves parents even when they have no children, having a pet is the closest thing to a child for many people! Pets today live longer, better lives thanks to the convenience of excellent overall veterinary care and preventive attention.
Pet owners carefully observe their animals for early signs of illness and ensure they keep their pets up to date on shots to keep them as healthy as possible. Our four-legged friends are like family, and it makes sense to spend time and effort choosing the best veterinary care possible.
Where Can I Find Veterinarian Recommendations?
When choosing your family's veterinarian, use the equal care and standards you would in selecting a doctor for yourself! Think about what is important to you. Location, office hours, payment options, and the range of medical services provided are all important ideas to consider.
For many pet owners, the chief factor is the friendliness and kindness of doctors and staff. Your aim should be to find the veterinarian you trust to meet your pet's medical needs and with whom you feel relaxed in establishing a longstanding veterinarian-client-patient rapport.
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Ask Friends and Family
Animal-owning families are generally good bases of information. Ask them why they chose their vet. If you think their service needs are similar to yours, you may want to plan a visit to the facility to assess it for yourself.
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Breed Clubs and Special Groups
If you have a purebred dog or cat, area breed clubs or rescues can be a decent foundation of information. They have often recognized a solid relationship with a practice that is familiar with the specific breed's potential health-related problems.
Suppose you have a non-traditional (i.e., not a cat or a dog) pet. In that case, special interest groups in your area may be good sources of information about veterinarians who have a specific interest in and understanding of your pet species.
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Social Media Pages
The business pages on social media can be sources of information that are reliable and reviewed by many customers.
The information on local veterinarians posted by happy and unhappy customers can be a great source of information for you. It can help determine what type of vet and staff each clinic might have and whether or not they will be able to meet your needs and expectations! It is also extremely easy to reach out and ask others who have posted on the site about their experience first-hand.
A word of caution about review sites: although online review sites can be valuable for picking out a restaurant, we recommend not allowing that to be your ONLY source of information, as some reviewers are unfair, and the overall score is an average. Personal situations like those we've listed here are more dependable sources for finding a veterinarian.
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Your Current Veterinarian
If you are moving to another city or state, ask your current veterinarian if they can endorse a practice where you will be living. They often have associates in other towns whose practice policies and services are similar to theirs. Your current veterinarian should also provide copies of your pet's medical records to the new practice to ensure your pet's medical history is current with the new staff.
When Should You Look for a Veterinarian?
It's good to start thinking about choosing a veterinarian before getting a new pet. In fact, your veterinarian can assist you in selecting a pet that matches your personality, family needs, work schedule, and routine.
If you have recently moved to a new area, locate a veterinarian before your pet needs one. Don't wait until your pet becomes ill or requires emergency care –be prepared so that you are comfortable in your pet's time of need. It's best to have obtained a doctor's name and number and become familiarized with the practice and staff before you need them during an emergency.
Think about scheduling an initial visit soon after arriving at your new home. Your new vet can recommend ways to help your pet become familiar with your new environment and can update you on any health risks unique to your area.
Considerations When Visiting a Veterinary Practice
Pet owners have different needs, and their motives for choosing a veterinarian for their pets will differ widely. The following list includes some considerations for selecting a vet who is a good fit for you and your pet. Not all of these considerations may apply to your situation, but they are things to consider when making this critical decision. Some questions you might ask include the following:
- What are the regular office hours? Are they well-matched with your schedule?
- Will they accept e-mails or appointments electronically?
- Who covers the practice when the doctor is occupied?
- Do they have after-hours emergency coverage or refer emergencies to a local emergency clinic?
- What is the average wait time for making a non-emergency appointment?
Consider that veterinarians care as much about you as an owner as they do about your pets. They are open to giving you the knowledge and resources you need to take the best care of your animals. By taking the time to select the veterinarian you feel best offers your needs as an owner and the medical needs of your pet, you will establish a sufficient and fulfilling partnership.
When you consider all of the information we have given, we ask you to contact the veterinarian and staff members at Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital. We strive to offer a welcoming and informative atmosphere to create that exact feeling for them during every visit.
We have doctors who specialize in many different animals and breeds, allowing every family member to receive the care and experience they deserve. Advanced Care offers top-notch and up-to-date medical, surgical, and dental veterinary care and customized rehabilitation, chiropractic, and acupuncture services.
