Choosing The Right Veterinarian For You

By: Cheslie Pickett

Whether an experienced breeder or first time pet owner, making the decision of what veterinarian to trust with treasured companions is an extremely important task.  It is certainly recommended to interview possible veterinarians before making a final choice.  While there are some factors that both breeders and companion owners should consider, breeders should consider a few more complex traits in a veterinarian. Proper questioning and evaluation of potential veterinarians should provide the basis for a working relationship.

For the companion dog owner, the search for a veterinarian usually starts by a referral from a friend or the pet’s breeder that is in a convenient location to one’s home. However, breeders should stress to first time pet owners that location should not be the only consideration in finding the right veterinarian for their beloved pet. At first glance, obvious important factors include up to date equipment, the cleanliness of the veterinarian’s office, accommodating office hours and the friendliness of the staff. Upon further review of the veterinarian, it is imperative that their general philosophy of veterinarian medicine is similar to one’s own. Choosing a veterinarian that has a natural and kind demeanor with a pet with an honest and professional demeanor with the client is very important. Companion owners that are looking for a veterinarian for a new puppy should inquire if the vet has a puppy health plan, which makes for a more cost effective strategy for vaccinations and checkups. A final appropriate and valuable question involves the availability of the clinics after hours or emergency care clinic’s excellence in care.

Finding the right veterinarian for a dog owner who is also a breeder is a bit more challenging and the interview process must be more in depth.  The general factors that are important for companion dog owners are also important for breeders, but other factors weigh in the decision making of finding proper vet care for the breeder. The veterinarian must be willing to work with a breeder and also respect the breeder’s past knowledge and expertise in his or her breed. All breeds have specific and special veterinary needs that require extra knowledge, such as toy and sight hound breeds’ susceptibility to anesthesia.  Breeders should look for referrals from other breeders that have been pleased with the vet care of their dogs. An ideal veterinarian for a breeder is one with vast experience and knowledge in reproduction services.  Those would include progesterone testing, ultrasound, semen storage, surgical care, and after hours care.   Of course, practice of meticulous cesarean sections can be of utmost importance in certain breeds.  Semen is also easily attainable when a veterinary clinic has it’s own semen storage facility. Breeders should be concerned with the overall experience in all areas of veterinary medicine, as any situation may arise in breeding dogs.

All in all, finding the appropriate veterinarian must involve an interviewing and gauging process of vets, staff, and the facility. Proper interviewing and decision-making can make those using veterinary services for the first time, those moving, or those transitioning between veterinarians’ time much easier.

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Posted by chesliepickett on May 22 2013. Filed under Health & Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.