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Here is what should you look for before hiring a new veterinarian.
In some ways, choosing a vet for your pet is more stressful than choosing a physician for yourself. Because pets have trouble communicating their pain, and because veterinary visits are stressful for pets, a veterinarian must be both intuitive and kind. So, what should you look for before hiring a new veterinarian?
Get referrals
Whether you're new to an area or new to pet ownership, the best place to start shopping for a new veterinarian is to speak to other pet owners. If your pet is a dog, ask for referrals at your local dog park. If you have a cat or more exotic pet, look for reviews on Yelp, Nextdoor, and other social media sites. Join a local forum or Facebook page dedicated to pets like yours if you haven't already. Finally, look for a vet that's accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
How much experience does the vet have with your pet's species?
Most veterinarians treat dogs and cats. Fewer treat animals like birds, fish, lizards, snakes, and small mammals like mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs. You may need to find a rural veterinarian that specializes in farm animals for large animals.
Even if a veterinarian treats a variety of animal species, they might specialize in one. The only way to know that is to ask.
Interview the vet
In our parents' and grandparents' eras, veterinarians were veterinarians. Today, veterinary treatments are as varied as human medical treatments. You want to be sure that a vet is open to your healthcare philosophy but isn't afraid to share the latest science. How do they treat pain and anxiety? What is their philosophy toward spaying and neutering? Does the vet offer or endorse alternative treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture? How do they treat cancer or other life-threatening illnesses? Do they provide in-home euthanizations?
What do they charge for office visits, lab work, x-rays, and other essential services? Do they accept insurance or offer financial assistance if needed? Do they provide 24-hour emergency services?
More significantly, go with your gut. You are looking for a relationship that could last for 15 years or more. Even if the vet knows what they are doing, they may not be a good match if they're dismissive or short with you.
Take a look at their office
A veterinary office, like any medical office, should be sanitary. Are there separate waiting room areas for dogs and cats? Does the staff seem warm and attentive?
Observe the veterinarians and staff with your pet or pets
Once you've narrowed down your choices, bring your pet in for a visit. Expect that your pet will be stressed, but you, as the pet owner, know when they're more stressed than they'd typically be. Is the staff helpful? Is the veterinarian thorough and empathetic?
If you find that your pets become less comfortable with their vet as time goes by, don’t be afraid to find another one.
14 comments
I’m pleased you mentioned seeing the animal hospital in person before selecting one so we can make sure the office is clean and offers the necessary services. I have a puppy that I recently acquired, therefore I will need to locate a veterinarian to take him to for exams going forward. This is something I’ll have in mind when I search for potential local animal hospitals.https://www.ohanavethospital.com/wellness-exams
I appreciate you reminding me that a veterinarian may specialize on one species even though they treat many. To find out, you have to ask. Considering that my sister intends to take her dog to one. I’ll make sure to remind her of this and look up veterinarians in the area so she can visit them.
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I recently acquired a dog, and my landlord would only let me keep him if I give him his vaccines, so I’m going to get him vaccinated next week. I like how you clarified that since every veterinarian has a distinct area of expertise, we need to be careful to find out whether the one we are thinking about has experience with the species of our pet. This will be kept in mind while I search for local veterinary clinics that I might want to give a call for an appointment shortly. https://phxdvm.com/
I liked that you suggested asking veterinarians about the type of pets they specialize in. My sister plans to find an animal hospital where she can bring her two-year-old Labrador. She said her dog has been refusing to eat since last night, so she must have her checked this afternoon. https://www.marquetteanimalhospital.com/
I recently acquired a dog, and my landlord would only let me keep him if I give him his vaccines, so I’m going to get him vaccinated next week. Since each doctor has a distinct area of expertise, I’m glad you mentioned that we should be careful to find out whether the veterinarian we are contemplating has experience with the species of our pet. This will be kept in mind while I search for local veterinary clinics that I might want to give a call for an appointment shortly. https://www.wakeleyvetgroup.com.au/emergency-procedures