[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Choosing The Right Veterinarian
Different types of veterinary practices exist.
Those that provide care to companion animals
include the following:
- Small animal practice: These veterinarians
work mainly with cats and dogs. Many also care
for pocket pets, reptiles, ferrets, and birds.
- Mixed animal practice: These veterinarians
are commonly found in more rural areas as they
work with pets as well as horses, cattle, and
other farm animals.
- Emergency clinics: These clinics are very
helpful in the event an emergency occurs outside
of your veterinarian's regular office hours. They
do not typically handle routine check-ups,
vaccinations, or spays/neuters. Emergency
clinics may also see patients who need 24-hour
care or exams with specialized equipment to
perform procedures such as ultrasonography or
endoscopy that the veterinarians in the
surrounding area do not have at their facilities.
- Exotics clinics: These veterinarians specialize
in caring for pocket pets, reptiles, birds, ferrets,
and species other than cats and dogs.
- Avian clinics: These veterinarians specialize
in companion bird health.
- Cat only clinics: These veterinarians limit
their practice to cats only.
- Mobile practices: Some veterinarians will
travel to your house to treat your pet just like
some travel to farms to treat farm animals.
The veterinarians that limit the species of
patients to which they provide care, such as
'cat-only,' are able to devote more time to
learning about that particular species. This
allows for more in-depth knowledge of disease
processes in that species. In many multi-doctor
practices, the doctors have individual interests
which they pursue. They are available to consult
with other doctors in the clinic on those subjects.
WHERE TO FIND A VETERINARIAN...
Ask friends, family, and co-workers that have pets:
- Where do they take their pets and why?
Breed or training clubs: If you have a certain
breed of cat, breed clubs may be a good source of
information when looking for a veterinarian. This is
very helpful if you have plans to breed your pet, since
a knowledgeable veterinarian is a great asset.
Local directories: The yellow pages or
business pages of a phone book normally will provide
information on local veterinarians' names, addresses,
and phone numbers.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN VISITING A VETERINARY CLINIC...
Office hours and emergencies:
- What are the regular office hours?
Veterinarian and staff:
- How are questions over the phone handled?
Fees and payment:
Do not make cost your determining factor when
choosing a veterinarian. It is very difficult to
compare costs for medical services because every
veterinarian practices differently. Expect to pay
a fair price for the services received. In a
critical situation, cost is usually not your
first concern, so choose quality care above
all else. Your pet is more than a financial
investment. Along with cost, find out:
- What methods of payment are accepted?
Services:
- What types of services are available?
Facilities:
- Is the practice clean and neat?
Professional affiliations:
- Are the doctors members of professional associations?
As part of your search, pay a visit to the
facilities you are interested in and have a tour.
Make appointments to meet the veterinarians. If your
cat has ongoing medical or behavioral problems, find
out if the veterinarian is comfortable in treating
those problems.
Hopefully, your pet will have a healthy life and
never need a specialist, but if a specialist is needed,
they are available. Some veterinarians will have a
special interest in certain areas of medicine or
surgery and specialize in it. If they are board-certified,
it means that they have studied and have passed
board-certification exams in that specialty.
SPECIALISTS
The following is a partial list of specialties that
have board-certification:
- Internal medicine: Specializing in the
diagnosis and treatment of disorders that involve
the internal organs such as the liver, kidneys,
and pancreas.
- Surgery - orthopedic and soft tissue:
Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of
disorders that need surgery to repair such as back
surgery, complicated fractures, or abdominal surgery.
- Dermatology: Specializing in the diagnosis
and treatment of skin disorders including allergies.
- Behavior: Specializing in the diagnosis
and treatment of behavioral problems such as
aggression, spraying, or scratching.
- Oncology: Specializing in the diagnosis
and treatment of cancers.
- Radiology: Specializing in reading x-rays,
CAT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
- Cardiology: Specializing in the diagnosis
and treatment of heart diseases.
- Ophthalmology: Specializing in the
diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
If a referral to a specialist is recommended by
your veterinarian or you would like a second opinion
from a specialist, ask your veterinarian to tell you
who in your region is board-certified in the necessary
specialty.
CONCLUSION
The relationship between you, your cat, and your
veterinarian will hopefully last many years, so take
time to find the right 'fit.' Since you will need to
be able to discuss your cat's symptoms, test results,
and treatment options with your veterinarian, good
communication is of utmost importance. Find a clinic
with veterinarians who you feel comfortable with and
have good 'bedside manners.' Once you have found that
veterinarian, we strongly recommend regular veterinary
visits, or at the very least, annual physical exams.
__________
By: Marty Smith, DVM - Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
Choosing a veterinarian that is right for you and
your cat is not always easy. You want to find a
veterinarian with whom you and your pet can feel
comfortable and can build a trusting relationship.
And you want to find that veterinarian before you
get a cat - the veterinarian may be able to help
you select a cat that will fit your expectations
and lifestyle. If you have moved, or for some
other reason need to change veterinarians, find
a new veterinarian before your cat becomes ill.
Types of Veterinary Practices
- Do they like the location?
- Is the staff friendly and do they seem knowledgeable?
- Does the doctor fully explain the diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected outcome of a disease?
- Are they comfortable asking the doctor questions?
- What hours are the doctors available for appointments?
- How are emergencies handled during business hours?
- How are emergencies handled after hours and on holidays?
- How long does it take to get an appointment for a wellness exam versus a 'sick pet' appointment?
- Are the staff knowledgeable and courteous?
- Are phone calls answered quickly?
- Are you put on 'hold' for long periods of time?
- Can you see a specific doctor if you are at a multi-doctor practice?
- Do you feel comfortable with the receptionist, technician, and doctor?
- When is payment due?
- Are credit cards accepted?
- Medical exams?
- Surgery, including orthopedic?
- Dentistry?
- Radiology (x-rays)?
- Ultrasonography?
- Endoscopy?
- Nutrition counseling?
- Behavior counseling?
- Laboratory testing?
- Are the veterinarians willing to refer pets to specialists? If so, whom?
- Do they have auxiliary services such as
> Grooming?
> Boarding?
- Are there unpleasant odors?
- Are the grounds well kept?
- Is the facility in a good location and easy for you to get to?
- Is the hospital an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) associated hospital?
- Do the veterinarians regularly attend conferences and other continuing education programs?
© 2005 Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc.
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from
PetEducation.com.
On-line store at DrsFosterSmith.com.
Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208