Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Puppy
May 14
Just like people, puppies and dogs often need to be seen by a medical professional, in their case called a veterinarian or often just “vet.” Besides offering services for sick animals, just like a doctor for humans, a veterinarian can offer preventative and routine care for your beloved pet to make sure they are staying healthy and to potentially avoid having them become sick. In addition to taking direct care of your dog or puppy, a veterinarian can offer advice on choosing a dog breed, diet and nutrition, training, grooming, and any questions you might have.
So, how do you find the right veterinarian for you? Ideally, you should shop around for a veterinarian before you purchase a pet such as a Yorkie puppies for sale in Pennsylvania and Ohio. It’s best to have a veterinarian picked out first so that you can get started on puppy vaccines, as well as, so that you can build a relationship before your pet gets sick. One of the best ways to find a veterinarian is to get recommendations from friends, neighbors, family, dog trainers, groomers, or dog sitters who have experience with the same dog breed as you are intending to purchase or one that is similar. For example, someone with large dog using a veterinarian who specializes in large dogs might not be a good choice for someone who is purchasing a toy breed dog, such as Havanese puppies for sale in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as they have very different needs. You should also look for a vet who has a membership with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This means that they have voluntarily chosen to meet the high AAHA standards of facility, equipment, and quality care that are required for membership.
Once you’ve made a list of veterinary options, you should schedule a visit to meet the staff, tour the facility, and learn about their philosophy and policies. Any veterinary office should be happy to schedule a meet-the-team type visit. You’ll want to create a list of questions, as well. Here are a few suggestions:
- Are appointments required?
- How many veterinarians are in the practice?
- Are there technicians or other professional staff members?
- Are dog and cat cages in separate areas?
- Do the veterinarians have special interests such as geriatrics or behavior?
- Are X-rays, ultrasound, blood work, EKG, endoscopy and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?
- Which emergency services are available?
Some additional things to consider during your visit:
- Is the facility clean, comfortable and well-organized?
- Is the staff caring, calm, competent and courteous, and do they communicate effectively?
- Is location and parking convenient
- Do fees fit your budget, and are discounts for senior citizens or multi-pet households available?
Choosing your veterinarian is one of the most important things you can do for your pet and yourself, so that you have a person you can trust to help you take care of your new best friend.
If you have a problem with your puppy ask the vet and read more about tips, ideas and inspiration for making your life with dog easier and more enjoyable.
