Choosing the Right Veterinarian for Yourself & Your Pet
There's no doubt about it; for many of us, pets are just like any other member of our family. And like a family member, we want to make sure that they are going to get the healthcare they deserve if they ever need it. While frustrating, the process of choosing a doctor for yourself or another human is quite easy. This, unfortunately, cannot be said of veterinarians. When it comes to choosing a new veterinarian for your pet, there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind throughout the process. Some of those include the need for a veterinarian near you or a facility that places transparent care, empowering pet owners and veterinarians at the top of their list.
Online Research
One of the first things most people are going to do is sit at their computer and type in the words "Vet near me" or "veterinarian near me." Understandably, you are going to want a vet that is near your area in the event of an emergency. However, that should not be the only requirement on your list. During your online research, you should also be on the lookout for reviews, both the good and the bad.[1] This will provide you with a sense of how their customer service is. You may also look into the tab called "visitor photos," as this is usually going to be a good representation of how the facility looks on a day-to-day basis.
How to Properly Evaluate a Veterinarian
After you have chosen a couple of vets to visit, it is important to stop and look at the exterior of the building. How well a veterinarian maintains their facility is a big indicator of how much they care about their business. Once you've met with the vet, there are a couple of things to look for. Although this can be different for everyone, you are going to want to look for someone who is genuinely happy to see you. They should also be listening to your questions and providing you with detailed answers. Trust us, if you leave with a feeling of uncertainty or more questions than answers, it's probably not a good idea to go back. Note that all this should be done during a wellness exam as opposed to when there's an emergency. This is because, during an emergency, it's likely that you're not going to stop and think about what the vet is doing.
Digital Services
The past year has shown us just how important it is to get accessible and personalized veterinary care in-person or from the comfort of your home. That is why it is critical that you ask if they offer digital examinations or if the state/city even allows a virtual veterinary practice to operate.[2] For many veterinarians, such as EquiVet Care, having a positive virtual pet health care ecosystem is very important, and they will usually offer you this information before being asked about it. As you may already know, not all pet issues are going to be an emergency, but they should also not be ignored. Pairing up with a veterinarian who provides digital services may save you time and money.
Your Relationship with Your Veterinarian
The fact is that having a good relationship with your veterinarian is a very important thing to establish early on. This is because not only are they going to go above and beyond for you and your pet, but a happy and stress-free veterinarian is going to provide a better service for everyone. So, what can you do? It's simple, schedule your visits in advance, cancel in advance and treat everyone there with respect. Doing those three simple things can go a long way.
Choosing the right veterinarian for your pet is going to be difficult, and it should be. You want to be confident in who is handling the healthcare of your pet. Contact us at EquiVet Care. Our knowledgeable and professional staff will be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the process.
Visit our crowdfunding campaign to support EquiVet Care!
References:
1) https://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2011/aug/hating_online_reviews-11445
2) https://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/how-to-get-virtual-veterinary-care-for-your-pet/
