Many times people take their pets to the closest vet’s office without thinking about whether that vet is the right match for them or their pet. It’s true you don’t have to be best friends with your vet, but you do need to be able to work well together. It’s up to you to communicate with your vet and understand his or her suggestions. So while you don’t want to select a vet that is completely inconvenient to get to, choosing based on location alone isn’t a good idea.

Sometimes people make their choice on price thinking if they pay more it must be better or they are getting a better deal if they choose the doctor with the lowest prices.  Different doctors charge differently, include different services and things in their pricing structure and have vastly different levels of expertise. While you do want a clear understandable price and payment policy, choosing by price is not making an informed decision about the best doctor for you pet.

Be sure to do your homework before you have an urgent situation and before you bring your new pet home if possible.  And if you are already taking your pet to a veterinarian you can still use these ideas to help make sure you’ve made the best choice for your animal’s needs.   A vet that loves little puppies may not be understanding and patient with the needs of a more geriatric patient. If your pet develops a serious illness and your vet has no experience with that specific situation you need to find someone with the right experience. It’s all about finding that balance of skill, disposition and services offered that make a vet and his or her practice the ‘right one’.

Start by asking people who have animals now (not ten years ago) and who are fairly selective. Getting informed recommendation is great.  Don’t just select a practice based on someone saying the doctor was really nice to their dog.  If you currently have a great vet and are moving you might ask them to help with your search. Sometimes veterinary hospitals who do not provide primary care are also good resources.  Look online and in your phone book and see who else is in the area too. Don’t be fooled by fancy web sites or large display ads in the phone book. That doesn’t mean they are good doctors.

Once you have a list of doctors it’s time to start asking questions and visiting.  Call, get some basic information and chedule a time to visit the office. Pay close attention to the office staff both during the telephone call and  in person and the office itself.  Is the staff professional and courteous? Where are animals kept if they must stay for a procedure or overnight? Are they left alone or monitored and by whom? Is the office clean and free from odors from pets or cleaning products? You shouldn’t be smelling any foul odors at all nor should you be able to detect strong cleaning products- they aren’t good for your animals. It’s not necessarily a good sign if the staff or doctors have hours to chat, but the staff should be able to politely answer basic questions and set up a time for you to come in to meet the doctor.

Here are some of the basics you’ll want to know prior to making a decision.

• Is the doctor’s license current and are there any disciplinary actions against them? You can start by going to http://www.aavsb.org/DLR/ and selecting your state. Follow the links from there as most make licensing and disciplinary information actions available.
• Are the office hours and general policies posted or readily available and are you comfortable with them?
• What animals do they see and what are their specialties? (Some vets may accept all types of patients but have little or no experience with some species)
• What equipment is on site and what procedures do they do regularly?  What procedures do they refer to other clinics or hospitals? (If the office does not do routine procedures, X-Rays etc. you may find yourself relying on a total stranger when something comes up.)
• Who do they recommend after hours or when they are not available and is this facility available 24/7?  (You’ll want to check out this facility and doctor as well.)
• If it is a multi -doctor practice or hospital setting will you always see the same doctor or will it be someone different each time?
• How long can you expect to wait to schedule a routine appointment and to see the doctor when you arrive for the appointment?
• How much time is allotted for routine appointments and how much of that time does the doctor spend with you and your pet? A doctor who sends their technician in for most of the appointment and then breezes in fr a quick visit is not going to be able to fully assess things, not will you have the opportunity to discuss your pet’s problem if there is one.
• When lab tests are necessary are you allowed to be with your pet (in accordance with state regulations), how long before results are given to you and does the doctor call you with results? Sometimes when a technician calls with results you are not able to ask questions or have results explained to you adequately.
• Are estimates given before procedures or are prices for routine procedures readily available so there are no surprises?
• Does the vet practice conventional or homeopathic medicine or both? There are advantages to having clinicians skilled in both available  even if it means establishing a relationship with two different doctors.  Would the doctor be open to that or does he or she frown on other points of view?
• Do you feel rushed through the tour or appointment?
• Does the staff and doctor talk to you and explain things in a manner you are comfortable with and understand?
• Is the staff and doctor appropriate and gentle with your pet?

If you are thrilled with the first office or hospital you visit, check out one or two more anyway. Write down the answers you were given so you are clear about each practice. If you decide on a doctor and find you are not comfortable with your choice at some point down the road, call your second choice if you felt it was also a good option. Be honest and explain you started with another doctor on the basis of something you discussed and it didn’t work out or just that you need another opinion if that’s the case.

Choosing between a veterinary hospital and a private practice can be difficult. Hospitals tend to be open longer hours, have more equipment and have different veterinary specialists available. Veterinary medicine is advanced and there are clinicians who specialize in internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology, nutrition, physical therapy, behavior problems and more. The down side is you may not be able to see the same vet all the time or that vet may move on from the hospital. Some veterinary hospitals can be stressful environments for you and your pet. Visiting is the only way to determine if a hospital is the right choice. Private veterinary offices generally can establish a close relationship and the veterinarian owning the practice has the final say so you are talking to the decision maker about policies and other questions. Sometimes a private practice veterinarian will go out of his or her way to help because of the relationship they have with you and your pet and frankly because it is their own business.

I’ve personally experienced the best and worst of both – hospitals and private practices. As a client you have to understand when the doctor has an emergency and needs more time with another animal. It could be your pet that needs the extra time some day and you’d certainly want the doctor to do everything possible to help your animal. Waiting while the doctor chit chats or is behind with appointments scheduled unrealistically close together is another matter and sends the message that only the doctor’s time is valuable and there is little or no concern for your time or the comfort and stress of your animal.

Education and medical skill are critical of course. Assuming the doctor has the skill and education necessary to treat your pet, look at the person. Is the doctor kind, efficient and detail oriented?  If not you may have a doctor that can diagnose a problem but doesn’t get back to you with test results in a timely manner. I’ve had that experience! Does the doctor listen to what you are saying about your pet so they get to know the whole animal – rather than the (usually) shaking, nervous pet they see in their office? Will the doctor do everything possible to give you the information necessary, educate you when needed and to provide your pet with the best preventative, routine and emergency care?  The only way you can answer that is to visit the offices and talk to the staff. It takes a bit of work, but you learn so much in the process. And since it’s usually a long term relationship, it’s well worth investing some time in the beginning. It could save your pet and much heartache later.

I hope that information is helpful for you. Next up – once you’ve chosen a doctor I’ll have some tips for you on what you can do to help your vet and your pet.

Be well.

Patti