There are many things you can do to maintain and keep your dog healthy at home. But in addition to that, you really need to find and trust a vet close to home to handle all of the emergency stuff that may happen to your dog that you can not handle at home. You should be able to ask your vet questions without consultation fees. And you should be able to have a 24 emergency phone number or service because accidents do not just happen from 9am to 5 pm Monday through Friday only. Finding and maintaining a good rapport with a vet is definitely one of first things to consider to keep your dog healthy.
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* HOW TO FIND A VET
Sometimes you have no choice, because of living in a really rural area, but to use the vet of the area. In these scenarios, that vet may be the only vet in several square miles. In case of emergencies, time is of the essence. So even if you do not use this vet as your regular vet for regular visits. It is always good to become familiar with this vet. He or she may be the closest thing to saving your dogs life.
For the most part, though, you should be able to find a variety of vets within a reasonable amount of distance. In these days, certain cities even have emergency hospitals/clinics for pet that serve the community. These are usually not used as primary vets, though. So note that there are differences in vets and specialty vet units for emergency care. You should get to know the emergency care people too, if the case that you may need them.
You could just take out a phone book, or look them up in the internet yellow pages, and create a local area list for you to contact and actually visit the facilities, if they allow it. This is not a preferred way, but in the case you are new to a city with no friends and family, you may have to do this.
If the vet says it does not allow "tours" of its facilities, then it might be a good idea to scratch that one off of your list. If they are that impersonal, what sort of care are they really going to give to keep your dog healthy? That choice is up to you. I would prefer some vet that is happy to have one of his or her staff meet with you and show you around.
In the best case scenario, you are in a city, with lots of choices, and many friends and family members that live around you too, with pets. In this case, you can just start asking everybody who they go to and what they like and dis-like about the vet. A vet can have a certain way about them that may be more in touch with how you feel or desire your dog to be treated.
Vets differ as much as breeds of dogs. There are cold clinical-type facilities to new age clinics with calming colors, scents, and music playing throughout. Care varies from "next" to massages by staff before the vet actually sees the client. And prices vary as well, from cheap to extravagant. Keep all of these factors in your mind as you visit different vet's facilities.
DO I HAVE TO VISIT EACH VET FACILITY?
The absolute answer to this is no. But then you have to take whatever you are offered for services when and if that time comes you need the vet but have never checked anything out about them or their clinic. Including what services they have and don't have. The time to find out that a vet does not do emergency surgeries is not when you absolutely need to have one done!
Most vets are more than just pet doctors. They offer a variety of services from physical to even mental. It is at least a good idea to know what the vet clinic does and does not do. That does not necessarily require a physical visit, but you should still do so.
Think of your dog's veterinarian as you would your D.O. He or she is going to be more than just a check up doctor. You would not just browse through a listing of doctors and randomly pick one for yourself would you? You know whether your doctor has after hour emergency care or if you must go to the emergency room of the local hospital, right?
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VET?
The minimum you need to know:
- Regular office/clinic hours.
- Do they have emergency care?
- If they have emergency care, is there special things to do to get care?
- Do they have after hours emergency care?
- Do they recommend any after hours emergency care?
- What are the policies for appointment versus walk-ins?
- Do they have special care or overnight units?
Other things to consider finding out:
- What are their rates, and do they have payment plans?
- Do they offer hospital-like rooms/kennels for after surgery?
- Do they offer certain specials? Like new owner spay/neuter plus catch up shot specials?
- Do they offer extra activities like training clinics or behavior lessons?
- Is there more than one vet on staff, what is the remaining staff?
- Do they have special equipment like x-ray and other testing machines?
- Do they work with certain pet insurance companies or give special rates for any?
- Does the staff go to continuing education classes or conventions?
- Does the clinic sponsor events or projects?
SUMMATION
There are a lot of things to consider to keep your dog healthy. But a vet should be one of the first things you get settled.
There are many considerations when looking for a vet. The location that you live and vets around you may limit your capabilities of the search. If you can, find people you know who are pet owners at least, preferably dog owners, that can recommend a vet and find out what they like and do not like about the vet.
When making your choice about which vet to use, you should consider calling the vet and making an appointment to have them or one of their staff meet with you and tour the facility. It is best to know if you can go to your vet or have to go to a special care facility for emergencies. Atmosphere and cleanliness may be a factor in choosing a vet for you, and the only way to find out is to visit.
The minimum you need to know about the veterinarian facility are the hours of normal operation. Do they have emergency care and/or after hours care? The facilities procedures on walk-in care versus appointment care. And what sort of procedures are done there, and if required, overnight stay facilities?
The veterinarian is a vital part of the care when you are thinking how to keep your dog healthy. Finding and bonding with the right vet for you can make all the difference in your dog's care. Knowledge are what the vet is capable of and how they treat their patients plays an important role in you and your dogs relationship. These are simple things really, but it is all too important to just ignore when the overall goal is to keep your dog healthy. A healthy dog will provide many years of joy, fun, and companionship in your life.
