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Choosing A Vet
By Patricia Collier
It's OK - actually, downright necessary - to be picky when looking for medical care for your companion animal.
The following information can serve as a guideline to help you choose a good veterinarian for your pet.
Interview a Few Vets
That's right. We said "interview" potential vets. New to an area? People with animals, particularly those with a multiple animal household, can offer some suggestions about which veterinarians to interview.
First, make a list of questions about things that are important to you, i.e., what kind of arrangements does the vet have for emergencies, how do they feel about holistic medicine? Pose your questions to two or three potential vets.
Check Out The Office
Don't just interview these people over the phone. Go to their office. Note things like:
1. Cleaniness of the office. How does it smell? Is it cluttered?
2. How do the office people act? The demeanor of office staff is very important. As in any business, employees reflect their bosses' attitudes and you don't want people who just want your money and could care less about your animal.
3. Ask to see the vet's diplomas, certifications, professional veterinary association membership certificates and a few references from satisfied clients.
4. Ask: What are their regular office hours? Are they compatible with your schedule?
5. Ask about emergency arrangements. Who covers the practice when the doctor is unavailable? How easy or difficult are they to reach in times of need?
NOTE: FloridaPets.net will NOT list ANY veterinarian who does not provide emergency care for animals or at least arrange for coverage of his practice by a trusted colleague when he/she must be away from the phone or out of town.
What is the point of having a veterinarian who routinely sees your animal but, in case of emergencies, after hours, weekends or holidays, passes you off to a "emergency clinic" 20 miles or more away from your home that has NO information on your pet and wastes valuable time trying to piece together the animal's medical history?
Veterinary medicine is one of those professions where responsibility to clients cannot end on Fridays at 5 p.m. Vets have a right to time off, but consumers of veterinary medical services have every right to expect timely, quality care when they need it. Trading coverage with other vets and giving them access to patient records is an acceptable solution to both issues.
6. Ask about billing policies, especially in emergencies. If the vet is not at all flexible with payment arrangements, you might want to keep looking because emergencies can happen to anyone.
7. Make sure you understand - and agree with - the hospital's policies and procedures.
8. Communication is vital. You have a right to feel you can communicate your pet's health care needs to the veterinarian. Many signs of illness are very subtle and you veterinarian will need to rely on your awareness of small changes in your pet's behavior or habits. So make sure you have a "connection" with the vet you choose. Your animal's life may depend on it one day!
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