After you get your new dog or puppy, one of the most important things you will need to do next is choose a veterinarian. Choosing the right vet for the job is extremely important. In fact, your dog’s life literally depends on it.
You should take the same care when choosing a veterinarian for your dog as you would when choosing a pediatrician for your child.
To guide you on your way, I’ve put together a list of the 4 most important things to consider when choosing a vet for your new furry friend. If you follow these instructions you will make your dog’s life and yours much easier.
1) Cleaning and organization
When I go to a restaurant, one of the ways I assess the quality of the place is by visiting the bathroom. If the bathroom is clean, I feel confident that they take pride in all aspects of their work. In the case of a veterinarian, this is reflected in the way their office is set up. If places are messy and disorganized or worse, dirty, that’s not a good sign. Would you choose to go to a doctor who had a dirty exam room? Go with your instincts on this one, your furry best friend deserves better.
2) References
Word of mouth is one of the most reliable methods of choosing a veterinarian. Ask your friends and family who have dogs who their vet is. Ask them how they like them, and more importantly, ask them how their dog likes them.
3) Listen to your dog’s instincts
At the first visit to a veterinarian, they should do a general exam of your dog by feeling the dog’s body for any unusual lumps or swelling. You should check the dog’s ears, eyes and tongue.
The key point here is to pay attention to your dog and notice how he is behaving. Your dog may not like the procedure (dogs, like their owners, don’t like being prodded or prodded), but he shouldn’t be terrified. The vet’s hands should move smoothly and easily over your dog’s body.
4) Proximity to your home
And lastly, it is very important that your new veterinarian is within a reasonable distance from your home. Remember, in an emergency situation, you don’t want to have to drive an hour to get your dog to the vet.
So remember to choose your vet wisely. Your dog’s life depends on it!