Choosing a Vet

| Posted: 23-07-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 5 | Rating: (211)

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Choosing a vet is a similar process to that of choosing a good family doctor or paediatrician. You are looking for someone with good credentials, but you also need to find someone you feel comfortable with. Someone who is patient, unhurried and who will answer your questions, no matter how insignificant they might be. To help you find the veterinarian that's right for you, here are a few things to consider:

Ask for recommendations - Friends and neighbours can be a great resource, especially if they are conscientious pet owners with similar standards to your own. Ask around and if the same name is recommended repeatedly, that's a good sign. If you're new to the area, it may be a good idea to call the local humane societies for suggestions. Rescue organizations will often have worked with many vets and sorted out the most dependable (and reasonably priced) veterinarians.

Location - Try to choose a clinic close to home so you can get there quickly in case of an emergency. You won't want to drive far with a sick or injured pet.

Working hours - Do you need a vet who is available on week-ends or has late office hours at least once a week? If a trip to the vet means you'll have to take time off work, there's a good chance your pet won't get care when he needs it. Ask the receptionist if they offer evening or week end appointments to ensure that your potential veterinarian’s office hours work with your lifestyle.

Do they offer 24-hour emergency care? - Inevitably, emergencies will occur and Murphy’s Law states that these usually happen late at night or on weekends when most veterinarians are not available. However, a good veterinary practice will be associated with a 24-hour emergency care plan or be able to put you in touch with one.

Go and get-acquainted - You can tell a lot about a veterinarian by visiting the clinic. Most practices will let you see the boarding facilities. You will also have an opportunity to meet the staff. Things to look out for are; is the practice clean and tidy? Are the employees friendly, knowledgeable and helpful? Do the other ‘patients’ seem nervous, but comfortable? Does the veterinarian seem open and interested in you and your pet? One added benefit to this activity will be that you will know exactly where the practce is and where you will be parking. This visit will probably be a deciding factor.

Getting along - Hopefully, you will be developing a long term relationship with your veterinarian. It is therefore important to work with someone you trust and who you feel has sufficient patience and love of animals to afford you proper care. Once you have found a veterinarian you feel confident about, ensure that it will be him or her that you see at every appointment. In multi doctor practices this is not always the case.

Most vets are caring professionals who genuinely love animals and will take extremely good care of your pet. Veterinarians appreciate responsible, compassionate and intelligent pet owners and by taking the time to find the right vet for you, you are showing that you are just that.

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About the Author:

Dominique Lummus has been writing for over a decade and contributes to various newspapers and magazines worldwide as well as online.

An Anglo-Italian hybrid, Dominique has lived in Italy, England, the USA and spent twelve years in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates before emigrating to Australia in 2002.

She lives with her architect husband Bryn and their two teenage children and thoroughly enjoys her life Down Under in their home among the gum trees.

Writing, the Internet, travel and the theatre are all pursuits that bring her joy while her dislikes include cruelty, offal, rudeness and all of Australia’s deadly fauna!

Dominique's quirky blog can be found at www.pomsinoz.blogspot.com.

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