How to find a veterinarian

When choosing your family's veterinarian, you want to use the same care and criteria that you would in selecting a physician for you and your family. Think about what is important to you. Location, office hours, payment options and the range of medical services provided are all important. The veterinarian you select will maintain an ongoing history of your pet, including health records that detail preventive care. Your goal should be to find the veterinarian who you believe can best meet your pet's medical needs and with whom you feel comfortable in establishing a long-term veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your veterinarian will be an important part of your pet's life, and your life too. BUDGETING An important part of having pets is budgeting for their health care. Hopefully, you've been responsible in deciding to bring an animal into your home and are aware of the costs associated with medical care for your pet. All pets should have annual visits with their veterinarian — more frequent for puppies, senior dogs and health compromised dogs. And, of course, just like with people, all dogs will get sick at times in their lives requiring additional medical care and related expenses. WHERE TO LOOK FOR A VETERINARIAN • Friends and neighbors. Animal-owning friends and neighbors are generally good sources of information. Ask them why they chose their veterinarian. If you believe their expectations of service are similar to yours, you may want to schedule a visit to the facility to evaluate it for yourself. • Breed clubs and special interest groups. If you have a purebred dog or cat, area breed clubs or rescues can be a good source of information. They have often established a strong relationship with a practice that is very familiar with the potential health-related problems for that breed. If you have a non-traditional (i.e., not a cat or a dog) pet, special interest groups in your area may be good sources of information about veterinarians who have special interest in and experience with your species of pet. • Internet and directories. The internet can give information on veterinary clinics in your area, but there should always be some caution when reading review sites. Although online review sites can be valuable for picking out things like restaurants, they may not be the most reliable source when choosing a veterinarian because the reviews may not reflect the average client experience. WHEN TO LOOK FOR A VETERINARIAN It's a good idea to start thinking about selecting a veterinarian before acquiring a new pet, especially in busy, high-demand practices. There may be a waiting time to get an appointment, and when you do get your pet, it is always a good idea to get a health check as soon as possible to make sure there are no health concerns with them. This may also be a requirement in purchase contracts with their breeder or shelter. Also, your new veterinarian can suggest ways to help your pet become accustomed to their new environment and can inform you of any health risks unique to your area. Don't wait until your pet becomes ill or requires emergency care. PAY A VISIT Before deciding on a veterinary practice, you may want to visit several practices before making a final selection. Different pet owners have different needs, and people's reasons for selecting a veterinarian for their pets differ widely, but certain factors should always be considered. The following list includes some considerations for selecting a veterinarian who is a good fit for you and your pet. Not all these considerations may apply to your situation. • Office hours • Professional staff • Fees and payment • Services • Emergency care • Facility • Professional affiliations Remember that veterinarians should care as much about you as an owner as they do about your pets. They are available to give you the information and resources you need to take the best possible care of your animals. By taking the time to select the veterinarian that you feel confident and comfortable can provide for your needs as an owner and the medical needs of your pet, you will establish a satisfying and rewarding long-term partnership. For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org.