Reference Section

Choosing A Vet

Many people put more effort into choosing a grocery store or a bank than they put into choosing the vet for this important member of the family. Vets are people and they simply are not all alike! Disregarding differences in levels of competence and experience between two veterinarians, there are the differences between their facilities, office staffs and lab technicians. So the bottom line is, don't just pick a vet office because “it's the closest”.

You should get acquainted before you have a need to visit the vet for the first time. Call the office of your prospective vet and tell them that you'd like to get acquainted. They will usually suggest an appointment for you to see the office and meet the vet, or vets if they have more than one. Ask if you can bring your dog. Here are some pointers on how to “check out a vet”.

• Does the office and waiting room look clean and well maintained?
  
  
• Is the reception staff friendly? Eavesdrop on them, how do they handle the calls, are they friendly and helpful? Remember, if you choose this place, it could be YOU on the other end of the phone trying to get an appointment TODAY because of some problem that can't wait!
  
  
• How do they handle the other patients?
  
  
• Does you dog like the vet? If the answer is no, go somewhere else.
  
  
• Do you like the vet? Again, if the answer is no, use somebody else. When the dog has a problem, he can't tell you what's wrong. You simply must feel comfortable that the people you are dealing with competent.
  
  
• Are you comfortable with the office staff? Every time you make an appointment, or call with a problem, these are the people that you'll have to talk to.
  
  
• Be nosy, ask for a tour. How well are things kept up? What about the quality of the equipment? Remember, if your dog needs surgery, this is “it”. What you're seeing is all the help he will get.
  
  
• Ask about “after-hours” services. Do they have Vets on-call, or do you have to go to an animal emergency clinic? By the way, regardless of the services that your vet offers, do you know if there is an animal emergency clinic in your area? Do you know the phone number and address? Find out NOW and write it down. Our vet has after hours services and vets on-call, yet we've been to the emergency clinic several times in the last few years.
  
  

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