Dog Health

How to choose a vet

Puppy’s health is important and choosing the right vet from the beginning is very important. Veterinarians are doctors for animals.  When puppy joins the family he needs to find a doctor, too.    The vet will be responsible for caring for your puppy’s health for the rest of his life.  He will be the second line of defense against disease and illness.  In an effort to find the right vet, ask questions.  Learn how to find the veterinarian that will care for your new puppy the best.

What can you do?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a good vet.

1. Interviewing veterinarians is okay. 

They expect potential clients to check them out.  You don’t have to take your spy kit with you, but be thorough in your investigation.

2. Ask friends and family for recommendations.

 When you choose a vet, remember to call ahead to schedule an appointment for a walking tour.  Take your list of questions with you.

3. The first person you will meet is the receptionist.

 Did they let you stand there for five minutes or more before acknowledging your presence or did they smile and offer to help immediately?  A pleasant staff is a good sign.

4. During the tour, check out the facility. 

Is there a pervasive smell of animals or do you smell cleaner?  It’s normal for a vet’s office to smell like animals, but it shouldn’t be so overpowering that you want to run for the nearest oxygen mask.  Exam rooms should be cleaned between patients and at the end of the day.

5. Ask the veterinarian about the policies of the facility. 

Is there a vet always on call in case of emergencies?  Do they offer boarding for pets?  How much are the fees for routine care?  Don’t worry about asking too many questions.  Puppy is important to you so do what you must for him.  

Once you decide on a vet, it is time for puppy’s first visit.  Bring him on a leash.  Puppy can’t be allowed to roam free around the waiting room inciting a riot. 

The first visit to the vet may be a little stressful for puppy. Be patient and calm. Even this is a part of puppy’s training; he has to learn to be calm at the vet’s office. You have to stay with puppy all the time he has to know that you are not abandoning him. If you make sure from the very beginning that a visit to the vet is nothing to be anxious about, puppy will have no problem with going to the vet for checkups. Make puppy comfortable at the vet and life will be a whole lot easier for you and puppy in the future.

Going to the vet is a part of life for puppy.  Making him comfortable here is necessary so he won’t become anxious when it’s time for his checkups.

Choose a vet before you need him.  Waiting until an emergency arises is too late.  Keep your puppy safe from day one. One day, when puppy really needs the vet, you’ll be glad you took the trouble to do this right from the very beginning.