Providing your dog with a good home includes regular visits to the vet and other veterinary care, depending on illness or injury. Finding a vet near you can be easy, but how do you know which one to choose? Having the best vet means you can provide quality care for your pet, which can give you peace of mind. Knowing how to choose a vet for your dog means finding the right type, looking for certain traits, and asking the right questions before making a decision. Keep the following information in mind when you search for 'veterinarians near me'.
Find the best vet for your type of pet
kind of vet
When choosing the best vet for your dog, the first thing you need to do is make sure you find the right type. Some veterinarians care for certain types of pets, such as livestock or exotic pets, while others provide specialized care for a variety of health conditions. The main types of veterinarians available are:
**Attending Veterinarians:** These vets are general practitioners who provide medical care to many types of pets, including dogs and cats. Accompanying veterinarians provide routine care, such as annual health checks, as well as diagnosis and treatment of various illnesses and injuries.
**Veterinarians:** These veterinarians provide specialized care for pets, such as cardiology, orthopedics, dentistry or oncology.Veterinary specialists receive advanced trainingProviding such specialized care in their field.
**Laboratory Veterinarians:** Some vets work in labs instead of directly caring for pets. For example, some of these laboratory veterinarians conduct research into infectious diseases or conduct veterinary drug research.
For routine visits and acute illnesses or injuries, find a companion veterinarian for your dog. If your pet suffers from a medical condition, such as a heart problem or an injury or illness that requires surgery, the right vet can provide this care.
First things first: buy pet insurance
Having pet insurance can take the stress out of unexpected veterinary bills. Underwritten by an independent U.S. insurance company, AKC Pet Insurance makes it easy to customize a policy to fit your pet's needs and pet care budget. In addition to standard accident and illness coverage, pet owners can choose optional add-on policies, such as inspection and health coverage. ClickhereRequest a custom quote today!
Finding a vet in my area: qualities to look for
When comparing vets in your area, look for one with the following attributes:
Current state licenses and certification for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
excellent communication skills
Extensive veterinary knowledge, including advanced or specialist knowledge (if required)
empathy and compassion
How do I choose a vet for my dog?
Once you know where to look for a vet, it's time to start looking for the best vet in your area. These steps can help you find a vet for your dog.
Assess your dog's needs
What are your pet's specific needs in terms of medical care? If your dog has no known medical conditions or other health problems, you can seek a companion veterinarian. However, when choosing a veterinarian, consider factors such as your dog's health and age. For example, you may want to look for a vet who has experience caring for older pets or pets with certain health conditions. Perhaps during the initial conversation with your breeder, they mentioned a specific health issue with your specific type of dog. Look for a veterinarian experienced with your breed or its unique condition. Considering your dog's needs will help you choose the best vet for his medical care.
Check your personal network
Connect with family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and others who have dogs. Ask them for veterinary care recommendations in your area so you can narrow down your options.Your personal network can be a valuable source of informationAbout the quality of care from your local vet.
Search locally using a review-focused platform
An online search can bring up a great selection of vets in your area, but do they provide quality care? Using an online platform with reviews from local vets can help you learn more about them and the experiences of pet owners. Sites like Yelp and Google offer ratings that can help you understand the types of care offered by different vets.
arrange a tour
A personal visit to a vet's office is an important step before choosing a vet for your dog. During these trips, you must check the cleanliness of the facility and the professionalism of the staff. This can help you assess the condition of the veterinary office and the ability of the staff to provide quality care for your pet.
Request a consultation with a vet on site
Consulting with an on-site veterinarian can give you an insight into how they care for patients. During a one-on-one visit, you can get a feel for the vet's attitude at the bedside and their approach to medical care, such as traditional care or focus on holistic care.
Be prepared with specific questions
When scheduling a consultation, bring a list of questions. The questions on the checklist should be specific and give you important information about the vet you are visiting.
ask your vet
Before choosing a vet for your dog,You need to collect as much information as possible. By asking the right questions, you can compare vets and choose the best one for your pet. Be prepared to ask the following questions when calling different veterinary clinics.
How many doctors are there in your clinic?
As long as you don't care which vet your dog sees, it may be easier to book an appointment with a clinic that has more than one vet. If you want your dog to be seen by the same vet at every visit, you can look for a clinic with fewer doctors.
Do you have hours of service?
Illness and injury can occur at any time, not just during a vet's regular office hours. Veterinarians have waiting hours, which means that you can go to them with questions or concerns about your pet without having to wait until regular office hours. Some veterinary offices provide after hours care for emergencies or injuries.
What is your emergency policy?
It's important to know your veterinarian's emergency policy in advance in case your pet is suddenly injured or ill and needs immediate care. Some veterinary clinics provide emergency care during normal business hours, but you may need to take your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital outside of business hours for emergency care. Other vets may have information on who to call or where to go for immediate care in an emergency while their offices are closed.
Do you work together with a specific veterinary specialist or laboratory veterinarian?
From blood tests and other lab work to specialized care for medical conditions, it can be helpful to see a vet who works with a specific veterinary specialist or lab vet. When your pet needs care, you can gain peace of mind knowing that your vet is working with veterinary professionals they know and trust.
Take the stress out of pet ownership with accident and health coverage with AKC Pet Insurance, underwritten by an independent US insurance company. Our pet insurance policies are designed to help you when you need it, so you can focus more on your pet's health and less on expensive vet bills. ClickhereMake an offer today!
FAQs
How do you answer the why do you want to be a vet question? ›
- Describe what inspired you to become a vet. ...
- List your unique skills. ...
- Talk about your education and professional development. ...
- Explain your career goals.
You can't get advice on anything. Veterinarians generally train their staff to be very good at taking phone calls and giving some "guidance" as to whether they should bring their pet in as an emergency or not. Many emergency clinics can guide owners on which things that their dog ate is dangerous vs. not dangerous.
Is it okay to cry at the vet? ›It's perfectly normal and acceptable to cry. This can be an incredibly sad experience, and even though the veterinary staff might have to go through this all too often, there really is no getting used to euthanizing someone's beloved companion.
Why do vets charge so much money? ›Like human hospitals, veterinary clinics have diagnostic equipment that is expensive to purchase and maintain. Radiology is a huge investment, especially if state-of-the-art digital x-ray and ultrasound machines are utilized.
Why would you make a good vet? ›Love and care for animals as well as scientific curiosity are undoubtedly crucial for becoming a good vet. However, these traits alone can't ensure you will succeed in the profession. Becoming a vet requires many other veterinarian personality traits like patience and perseverance to establish a successful practice.
Why do you want to be a vet essay? ›One of the main reasons I want to become a veterinarian is my deep passion for animals. I love spending time with them, learning about their behaviors, and caring for them. I feel a sense of fulfillment when I am around animals and have always felt drawn to working with them in some capacity.
Is just answer vet free? ›JustAnswer customers pay a monthly fee which is automatically charged to your credit card. An account is required for 24/7 access, which costs anywhere from $32 – $125 per month, depending on the category with which you need help. The cost per month for access to veterinarian help is only about $32.
Will a vet prescribe antibiotics over the phone? ›Besides being unethical and illegal to prescribe medication over the phone, veterinarians can't accurately diagnose or treat a pet without physically examining him or her. Veterinarians appreciate observant owners and want to hear their description of the pet's symptoms.
Can you call a vet just to ask a question? ›We will always recommend an appointment for a sick pet within a timely manner. You can absolutely call and ask general questions, but for anything specific, your pet would need an exam by the veterinarian.
What not to do at the vet? ›- Don't fail to contain your cats. Even if your cat is the sweetest thing on record, some other animals may not agree. ...
- Don't give dogs free reign. Don't use retractable leashes! ...
- Don't bring in animals you cannot personally control. As above. ...
- Don't do the puppy park meet-and-greet thing.
Did my dog know he was being put to sleep? ›
Answer: Fortunately for us, dogs do not understand they are going to be put down and what happens after they are given the injection that puts them to sleep. I assume that dogs who are put down though feel loved or at least feel reassured by our presence if we are close to them, pet them and talk to them.
Why did my dog cry during euthanasia? ›The heart and lungs will stop functioning within minutes after injecting the euthanasia solution, so dogs generally won't feel pain because they are unconscious. They may react to the procedure by having muscle spasms or crying out due to underlying sickness, yet the whole process is quick, simple, and painless.
How do I know if my vet is too expensive? ›Ask your friends for vet recommendations or read local reviews to find a few likely vet practices. Then give each one a call and inquire what their wellness visits and sick visits cost. Ask how much it costs to neuter a dog, even if you don't need that service.
What's the most expensive vet bill? ›| Most expensive individual claimer - dogs* | |
|---|---|
| German Wire-Haired Pointer Cross (four-years-old) – ingested foreign body, urinary tract infection | $15,278 |
| Beagle (10-years-old) – carcinoma, dog fight injuries | $14,631 |
| Beagle (12-years-old) – spinal disorder, cancer, skin infection, skin disorder, mass lesion | $12,552 |
- Lay your financial cards on the table when talking to your vet. ...
- Request a written estimate for veterinary services before they're provided. ...
- Kick the once-a-year vaccine habit. ...
- Don't neglect preventive health care. ...
- Feed your pet less. ...
- Be a savvy consumer of supplements for your pet.
- Carefully read any information given to you about the interview. ...
- Do not over prepare! ...
- Focus your extra reading on topics that interest you. ...
- Don't panic over maths questions. ...
- Arrive early and remember the whole day is the interview. ...
- Push the conversation in the direction that you want it to go.
Highlight your relevant experiences and achievements, such as volunteering at an animal shelter, working as a veterinary assistant, or conducting research on animal health. Show your knowledge of current issues and trends in the field and explain how you plan to contribute to the veterinary profession.