Five Tips For Choosing A Veterinarian

Sometimes it's easy to put things off until later. Sure, we think, we'll have time tomorrow or next week to find a good vet for our puppy, kitten, bunny, or bird. After all, she's young and healthy. What could possibly go wrong?

Unfortunately, when you put off finding a vet until later, you risk having to take your pet to a vet you don't know should your pet become injured or ill. A good veterinarian can be hard to find under normal circumstances, especially if you're the parent of an exotic pet. But, if you wait until there's an emergency, you risk going to a vet who may not be able to provide you with the best care for your pet.

Tip One: Ask for recommendations

Ask those family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors with pets if they can recommend a good vet. But, don't just ask for a vet's name and phone number. Ask questions, such as How long have you used this vet? Why do you like him or her? How long do you usually wait when you make an appointment? Getting recommendations from those you know and trust is a good first step in finding a vet.

Tip Two: Use your local phone book

Your local phone book can also be an excellent source for finding a list of possible vets in your area. You can also do an internet search for veterinarians that will likely result in you discovering that at least a few of those vets have Web sites. A Web site can provide you with a lot of information that can help you determine whether an individual veterinarian cares for your particular type of pet and whether his or her office is really worth calling.

Tip Three: Ask other pet owners

Some pet owners have a more difficult time finding a vet because of the type of pets they have. Exotic pets – including rabbits, chinchillas, and ferrets – require special care that a typical vet, who specializes in canine and feline health, may not be able to provide.

Find a pet discussion group or email list, and sign up for it. You'll likely find there are a lot of pet owners who can provide you with vet recommendations and firsthand feedback about many of those vets.

Tip Four: Ask plenty of questions

Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question, so make sure you ask plenty of questions when you contact different veterinary facilities. After all, you want to choose a veterinarian with whom you feel confident and comfortable.

Following are some of the questions you may want to consider asking:

1. What type of animals does the vet generally care for? (Does he specialize mainly in canine and feline health?)

2. What percentage of your clientele is made up of (type of pet)?

3. What are the vet's normal business hours?

4. Generally, how long is a wait when making an appointment for a non-emergency?

5. If the regular vet is on vacation or out of the office, who covers for him or her? Does the covering vet have experience with my type of pet?

6. If my pet becomes injured or ill during non-business hours, will the vet provide emergency coverage, or will I be sent to an emergency vet? If I'm sent to an emergency vet, does that vet have experience caring for my type of pet?

7. Are clients allowed to make appointments with the vet of their choice? Or, are they assigned to a vet?

8. What can I expect to pay for a regular visit?

9. Is pet insurance accepted?

10. Does the facility accept credit cards, checks, and cash?

11. What type of medical services does the vet offer?

Of course, these are just some of the questions you may want to ask. Be sure to jot down any additional questions you may have, and write down the answers for each facility. That way, after you've contacted all of the prospective vets, you can compare notes to see which ones are worth further consideration.

Tip Five: Visit potential vets

Don't stop with a phone call to the vet's office. Find out if you can schedule an introductory appointment to spend five or ten minutes talking with the vet you're considering. Do you feel comfortable talking with the vet? How does he or she interact with your pet? Do you feel confident that the vet is right for your pet's needs?

Again, don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions. After all, your pet's health depends on it.