Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals (as opposed to one who treats large and small ? like horses, cows, cats and dogs.) Your community may only have vets that do a little bit of everything ? and there's nothing wrong with that, if that's all that's available, but I'll remind you ? you usually go to a specialist for your health issues, don't you?
If you're new in the community, or haven't needed a vet before ? word of mouth is a great way to start looking for a new vet. Ask everybody you can get your hands on ? co-workers, friends with pets, local humane societies or shelters. Ask questions: are they happy with their vet? Do they like the way they're treated when they take their dogs in?
If your dog is a particular breed, check with the local or state breed associations to find out who they use, or local breeders. This can be especially useful if you buy a puppy from a local breeder, because the vet will have seen your puppy and know at least some of his history. You may want a holistic vet. Go to their website at www.ahvma.org and check out their referral directory. Or contact them via phone at (410) 569-0795 You may also be interested in a veterinarian who has been trained in acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture XE "Acupuncture" Society. Log onto their website XE "International Veterinary Acupuncture Society" at http://www.ivas.org or call 970-266-0666. Once you have a referral from someone you trust, here are some questions to ask:
1. What services does the vet offer?
Is it a one-doctor office, or a multi-doctor practice? As vets try to streamline services many are consolidating practices and forming partnerships and group practices. There's nothing wrong with this ? just be aware that you may not always see the same vet. And find out if they offer 24 hour emergency services, or if he or she is affiliated with someone in the area who does. Like everything else in life, illness or accidents don't always happen between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
2. Does the vet offer a full surgery suite with on-site lab work? X-rays? Ultrasound? If the vet has to send all lab tests to an outside agency to be processed, you may be getting popped with additional charges because those tests aren't being performed or processed in-house.
3. Get a fee schedule.
Cost is usually one of the biggest considerations for dog owners, and it should be lowest on the list of importance, at least in my mind. Not because cost isn't important ? of course it is, but - if you have a vet that you're happy with ? who gives your dog the best care you can possibly find in your area ? does paying a little extra for that care really matter in the long run?
4. Check out the physical characteristics of the facility.
Is it clean, or does it smell? Are the ads or magazines in the waiting room current? (That may not sound important, but if the staff and doctors aren't keeping up-to-date on the latest and greatest information, this may not be the place you want to bring your dog.)
5. Communication ? by that I mean how well does your vet communicate with you?
Will he or she explain the condition or illness in terms that you can easily understand, or do they try to confuse you with high-tech or medical jargon? A good vet will go over treatment options with you, explain necessary tests, review x-rays or test results, give complete and clear instructions for home care or further testing requirements, etc.
Take your time to do a complete and thorough evaluation before choosing a new vet. Your dog's life literally depends on what choice you make. Make it a careful one.
Charlie Lafave, author, "Dog Training Secrets!" To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit: http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe wearing of charms dates back to 400 or 500... Read More
Lemon TetraGlassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear... Read More
First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels... Read More
Boxer dogs are an all around great breed, especially skilled... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
The pet food industry, a billion-dollar, unregulated operation, feeds on... Read More
Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
Is your dog a gentleman or lady? If so, you... Read More
Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More
Well first of all I was always a cat owner,... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
Do you really know all there is to know about... Read More
Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
You Must Be The Alpha DogFirst, let's take a look... Read More
A German Shepherd puppy can become a very welcome member... Read More
Many people think cats are asocial, but in fact they... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Pets are people, too. At least, that's the way they... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from... Read More
A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More
Do you really know all there is to know about... Read More
General Info.Brine shrimps, or artemia, are a zooplankton used mainly... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to... Read More
Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More
We have all grown up with at least one hero... Read More
For most West Highland White Terrier owners, the dog is... Read More
Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes... Read More
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I... Read More
Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass,... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
Congratulations. You've decided to buy a bird, and you even... Read More
Occasionally watching Animal Planet does have its advantage. You can... Read More
With all the companionship and love that our dogs give... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
This may come as a surprise...but if the tables were... Read More
"Your cat has feline diabetes." If this is your vet's... Read More
Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
Our pets give us so much. They entertain us, listen... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Pet |