| Have you just purchased a new pet? Have you | | | | Animal hospitals attending only to cats are also |
| moved to a new town or community recently? | | | | increasing in popularity. These alternative hospitals |
| Often, one of the most significant decisions you | | | | might be worth checking into particularly if you |
| can arrive at as a pet owner is deciding where to | | | | have a cat with special needs or one that is not |
| take your pet for medical aid. A lot of people | | | | good around other people. No barking and |
| think that just about all veterinary hospitals are | | | | aggravating dogs to be concerned with! |
| basically the same. This is not true. | | | | If a hospital only employs one doctor, chances |
| You should look for particular characteristics when | | | | are the office hours will be very limited. |
| selecting a veterinary hospital. Location is an | | | | Nonetheless, many people value the familiarity a |
| important consideration. However, don't choose to | | | | one-doctor hospital can offer. You also have |
| go to XYZ Animal Hospital just because it's closer | | | | assurance that when something goes wrong with |
| to your home than any other. By traveling a few | | | | your pet you will always have the same doctor. |
| extra miles you could discover a hospital where | | | | This consistency can be comforting. On the other |
| both you and your pet feel more comfortable. | | | | hand, having only one doctor on staff also means |
| You could even save a few dollars! | | | | a reduced number of services tendered. Also, |
| You might have seen guidelines about how to pick | | | | what happens when the doctor is out of the |
| out the right "doctor" for your pet. It IS crucial to | | | | office or goes on vacation? Or travels to a |
| feel comfortable with your pet's veterinarian. All | | | | conference? Does the office close down until he |
| the same, what might be of even greater | | | | returns? |
| importance is how you get along with the hospital | | | | When looking into multi-doctor practices find out if |
| staff. It goes without saying, these are the folks | | | | any of the veterinarians have any particular |
| that you and your pet will be working with 80% | | | | interests. Numerous general practice veterinarians |
| of the time. | | | | study a particular area of medicine such as |
| Be certain to learn as much as you can about the | | | | orthopedics, dermatology, deportment, or |
| staff. Do they hire licensed or certified veterinary | | | | acupuncture but may not really have a |
| technicians? These people, a great deal like | | | | "specialization" accreditation for that field. This |
| registered nurses, will be helping treat your pet | | | | might potentially save you a lot of money and a |
| more than any other person at the hospital. It is | | | | visit to a specialist should your pet ever need help |
| important that they are both in the know and well | | | | in any of those areas. |
| educated. Some veterinary hospitals attempt to | | | | Often, the most effective way to learn about |
| save money by employing untrained workers and | | | | veterinary hospitals in your region is to just ask |
| training them "on the job." Regrettably there is no | | | | people you know. Where do your friends, family, |
| law at this point that requires the person | | | | colleagues, and neighbors go? Have they had any |
| administering your pet's anesthesia or drawing its | | | | good or bad experiences that they can relate? |
| blood to have any specific schooling or | | | | Ask them about things like staff retention. Are |
| certification. Not good! | | | | the same workers there for the long term? Are |
| You will be able to start your hunt for a new | | | | there new hires working almost every time they |
| veterinary hospital merely by looking in the Yellow | | | | visit? This can be a big RED FLAG. If people don't |
| Pages or on the Internet. There will surely be a | | | | like being there it must not be a positive working |
| lot of choices under "veterinarians." Check the ads | | | | environment. Look for a veterinary hospital that |
| and see if any stand out to you. Frequently they | | | | has had the same staff for a long time. You and |
| will have a listing of services, office hours, doctors | | | | your pet will enjoy working with the same people |
| names, and so forth. If they publish a web site be | | | | year after year. |
| sure to visit it! | | | | Be certain to check out any hospital you plan on |
| A lot of veterinary hospitals offer extended | | | | taking your pet to in person. How does the |
| hours. This can be a big thing - particularly if you | | | | hospital staff interact with the clients and pets? |
| are dealing with a pet that has a habitual disease | | | | How does the staff work with each other? Does |
| or a condition that requires regular check-ups and | | | | the receptionist handle phone calls politely and |
| prescription medicine refills. A few hospitals also | | | | cheerfully? You can also request a tour. While |
| offer 24-hour care and emergency services | | | | there ask for a list of prices and brochures to |
| on-site while others will send you to other facilities, | | | | take home and review later. You will frequently |
| even during normal business hours. Be certain to | | | | get a gut feeling just by spending a few minutes |
| inquire about emergency services when looking | | | | in the lobby. Do not be afraid or hesitate to ask |
| for an animal hospital so you can be ready in case | | | | questions! Pet care should be taken very seriously. |
| something unforeseen occurs. | | | | |