With the current national shortage, finding the best veterinarian becomes even more difficult. But you can do it! Keep these criteria in mind when choosing a veterinarian:
- Knowledge and interests
- Location
- Personality
- Cost
- Emergency services
- Reputation
How to choose a veterinarian
All veterinarians go through veterinary school, but some have earned additional certifications or are truly passionate about particular areas of medicine.
For example, a large animal veterinarian who focuses on horses is probably not the best choice for your dog. And if you have show dogs you could breed, you’ll want a veterinarian interested in breeding.
Dogs with health problems may need a veterinary team that includes specialists who focus on particular areas of the body, as well as a general practice veterinarian who covers regular care, such as wellness visits, vaccinations, and minor or routine surgeries. This equipment may be distributed across several veterinary clinics and hospitals, or may be all under one roof.
Location decisions
Consider how far you are willing to drive regularly for veterinary care. Healthy dogs usually only need to go to the vet once or twice a year, but puppies who are starting their vaccine series and dogs with health problems may need more frequent visits. And, in case of emergency, the closer you are to your veterinarian’s office, the better.
Veterinary personality
It doesn’t really matter how brilliant your vet is if you just don’t like him. You don’t have to be best friends with your vet, but you should get along with him as a person and trust his judgment.
Veterinary cost
No one likes making veterinary decisions based on money, but it’s a reality for many dog owners. If you have financial concerns, talk to the front desk staff about the clinic’s policies and if they ever make payment plans now so you can plan ahead in case your dog ever has a medical emergency, if you don’t have insurance .
Emergency services
Medical emergencies love to happen at night and on weekends. Some clinics will see emergencies for pets who are already established as patients, while others will not see after-hours emergencies. Find out what a potential clinic’s policies are and if they recommend a local emergency vet.
Once you know the clinic’s policies, think about how that makes you feel. Are you okay with going to an emergency hospital if something goes wrong on the weekend, or do you absolutely want to be able to call your regular vet at any time? This could affect your decision.
Veterinary reputation
Ask your trusted friends which veterinarians they recommend and why. If you’re new to the area, contact a local dog club to see who they recommend for membership. You can also search for reviews online.
Always take reviews with a grain of salt. Healthcare decisions can be extremely stressful and owners sometimes lash out at the veterinarian even if the situation was not actually the veterinarian’s fault. But if all the reviews are negative, that could be a red flag.
How to choose a vet after a pandemic
There are now many more pets in most areas than there are veterinarians to care for them. Because of this, your preferred veterinarian may not be accepting new clients.
Do not despair! Go to the second or third option so that your dog is established in a clinic and can receive the care he needs. You can always check back with your first choice hospital in a couple of months to see if they are accepting new clients and make the switch then.
