Choosing a suitable veterinarian for your pet is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. That’s because based on that decision, you could risk your pet’s life, and the right veterinarian will help in keeping your pet safe and healthy.
Keep in mind that choosing the right veterinarian isn’t solely your decision; it’s your pet’s, too – both of you should come to a mutual agreement before committing to a certain veterinarian. Because if your pet needs to be comfortable or else they’ll turn veterinarian visits into a nightmare, and the constant stress on them, if they dislike the veterinarian, can potentially harm their health.
Here are some tips to consider when deciding on a veterinarian for your pet:
- Re-check their accreditation and experience. It’s easy for anyone to hang tenths of certifications on the wall to prove their credibility because who in the world would even bother to double-check these certifications? Well, you should. When you enter a veterinarian center, you want to ask about their qualifications, the accreditation they have, and whether it is credible or not, asking about what certifications the staff has: assistants and nurses. You want to make sure that the people hired know what they’re doing scientifically, not just people who have been in practice for some time.
- Focus on how much attention they give you and your pet. Although it’s important to make sure that your pet is getting adequate attention from the vet, you want to also ensure that the vet communicates everything clearly with you. Since your pets can’t communicate what they’re feeling, clear and strong communication between the pet owner and vet is extremely important; even the smallest of details could cause serious health issues for your pet. Notice how much time and effort the vet is putting into properly assessing your pet. Do they really seem like they care, or are they just making it seem like they’re assessing them carefully?
- Check that the working hours fit you. What is the use of a veterinarian center with the same working hours as your job? Some places, such as Phoenix vet, mayoffer a hotline for pet emergencies that work after hours; this tip is especially important if you’re someone who works fixed hours and only has time for a veterinarian visits after working hours or during weekends.
- Make sure they’re specialized in taking care of your pet’s species. Veterinarian centers don’t take care of every type of animal. You want to make sure that you choose one specialized in dealing with your pet and even their breed. You want to have knowledge of the potential health conditions your pet might encounter and the care they need and make sure that the veterinarian center you’re visiting understands it.
- Make sure that the location is convenient for you. Even if everything about that center checks your boxes but the location doesn’t, it’s not the best option for you. Because what’s the use of a veterinarian center if it’s not easily accessible, especially if your pet doesn’t like long car rides. Pets should have regular checkups and vaccinations; that’s why you need to choose a center that’s within a convenient distance from where you live. Also, if there’s an emergency, time can be a very critical factor, and you don’t want to risk your pet’s life.
- Ask about the services available in the center. You want to make sure that you can do all kinds of checkups and services that your pet needs in one place. You don’t want to go to a center for blood tests, another for x-rays, another for dentistry, and so on. Ensure that the center you commit to has all the services your pet might need. Also, check the equipment that they’re using and if the person using it is qualified enough to do so. Another bonus point is if they have an overnight stay service just in case your pet needs to stay overnight for surgery or emergency cases.
Veterinarian touching cast on dog’s leg, side view - The cost. Before you got your pet, you have most likely been told how costly veterinarian visits can be. Undeniably, you’ll have to spend on your pet’s health, but what are the costs involved in this center? Ask about the price of services and compare it to other centers in the same area. Of course, you want the best quality for your vets but make sure that the price differences are reasonable and justifiable, and most importantly, within your budget so that you’re able to keep up with the regular visits and checkups.