What should I ask a new veterinarian?
When visiting a veterinarian’s office for the first time, in addition to obtaining a sense of the facilities, you should ask a lot of questions to gain a complete image of their practice, including:
Is the vet capable of referring patients to specialists as needed? (The correct answer is yes.)
- Which emergency services are provided on-site, and where will you be referred if no emergency appointments are available?
- Our diagnostic testing such as X-rays, bloodwork, and ultrasounds performed on-site or referred out?
- How are patients who stay overnight monitored?
- What forms of payment is the practice accepting?
- For example, do they provide payment plans for major procedures and chronic illness treatment?
- Is the practice involved with any local animal welfare organizations? (This may or may not be significant to you, but in general, a vet engaged in the local animal welfare community has the best interests of pets at heart!)
- It’s also critical to ask questions about your pet’s daily and long-term care, such as: What form of parasite protection is best for my pet?
- How should I care for my pet’s teeth, nails, and coat?
- Should I neuter or spay my pet, and when is the best time to do so?
- Do you have a list of suggested classes and personal trainers?
Your in-person visit should leave you with a favorable impression of the clinic and its employees, and you should have a good rapport with the veterinarian.
Communication is an essential component of providing high-quality veterinary care.
After all, your dog can’t tell the doctor where they are in pain, so it’s up to us to do the talking. You should feel at ease asking questions, and the vet should listen carefully and provide clear direct answers.
See our guide to a puppy parent’s first vet visit for more information.
Be a good client after you’ve chosen a decent vet.
Creating a good medical routine for your dog is dependent on selecting a vet you can trust to give the finest care available. It is, however, not a one-way street; as your dog’s protector and advocate, you must support the client-vet connection. Keep the following steps in mind when it comes to being a good veterinarian client:
- Arrive a few minutes early (but not too early) for appointments to allow for any necessary paperwork.
- Be an advocate for your dog, but know when to back off and let the doctor handle things. This is often difficult for me because I have a long experience in pet care, but it’s crucial to remember that one of us went to vet school, and it wasn’t me.
- If you have a question, please ask it. Request a referral if you want a second opinion. Remember that communication is essential.
- Be patient, and keep in mind that animals can be unexpected. A reputable veterinarian office will respect their clients’ time and keep appointments as close to the scheduled time as possible. On the other hand, a good veterinarian customer will remember that there is the possibility of high stress in any medical practice and that emergency emergencies may take precedence over regular consultations.
Consider your relationship with the veterinarian to be a partnership: you both want what is best for your dog, and by working together, you can satisfy all of her needs.
We’re at the vet’s office more and more now that Ralph and her furry companion are getting older, and I’m pleased to have found a practice I can rely on to see them through their golden years. Even though vet appointments might be frightening, I know my pets are in good hands because I took the time to select them.