Six Signs of An Awesome Vet 

Awesome vets can be hard to find. Your fur baby is part of your family and you have the best doctors for your other family members, so you want an awesome vet for your pet. But there are so many vets out there, how can you be sure you’re choosing the right one? Here are six signs to help you make sure you select the right vet for your best friend.

1. The Vet Clinic Comfort Zone

The last thing you want if for your pet to get stressed out on a visit to the vet. It’s bad enough that she has to get shots, or her nails clipped without any added discomfort, so cleanliness and comfort are top of the list. As soon as you walk into the vet’s office you can assess the hygiene. It shouldn’t smell like every animal that ever came through the door. It should smell fresh and clean. The staff should have a courteous and respectful attitude to both you and your pet and should make you both feel at home. [caption id="attachment_389" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PC: Chun Yeung Lam, Unsplash[/caption]

2. A Thorough Vet Check-up

You shouldn’t feel rushed when you go to your initial well-care visit for your puppy or kitten, or for subsequent visits if your pet is sick. The vet should take at least thirty minutes to check over your pet from head to tail. If your pet is having health problems, the vet should take the time to ask you specific questions about the issues, such as the symptoms, your pet’s diet, if there are other animals at home, and if your pet stays indoors or goes outside. If you’re feeling rushed, you need to change your vet. [caption id="attachment_390" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PC: Marcelo Leal, Unsplash[/caption]

3. Appropriate Pet Testing

Before he breaks out the prescription pad, your vet should order the appropriate lab tests. If your vet gives your pet a cursory examination and then tells you what she needs to be taking, it’s time to walk out the door. These days, verts have an array of diagnostic tests available. For example, your vet shouldn’t give you a course of antibiotics for your pet until he has confirmed the presence of a bacterial infection. [caption id="attachment_391" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PC: Joshua Coleman, Unsplash[/caption]

4. A Clear Diagnostic Explanation

The best vets don’t just fob you off with a prescription, they will give you a full explanation about what’s wrong with your pet, why the vet has decided on a particular type of treatment, and how you should take care of your pet which she is convalescing. You should always feel comfortable asking your vet questions. If you don’t understand part of his explanation, always clarify. A vet who doesn’t take the time to talk to you about your pet isn’t worth his weight in birdseed. [caption id="attachment_392" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PC: Q Online Marketing, Unsplash[/caption]

5. Pet Wellness Check-ins

A truly awesome vet will give you a call a few days after your visit to see how your pet is doing. Although not every visit warrants a follow-up call, this is important if your animal is sick or if lab tests have been ordered. In the case of the latter, you should get a call from the vet clinic the day after your visit. It doesn’t have to be the vet who calls, it can be the vet assistant or the receptionist. They should ask how your pet is doing, and if she is taking medication, they should inquire as to any improvement in symptoms. [caption id="attachment_393" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PC: SirenPhoto, #lilac[/caption]

6. Animal Medical Care Plans

A professional vet wants you and your pet to form a partnership with him and his services. This means that he wasn’t you to have access to all his available resources whenever you need them. If you are worried about paying for treatment or having difficulty paying your bill afterward, this can be very stressful for everyone involved. You can talk to your veterinarian about available pet insurance plans or treatment payment plans in advance of treatment. That way you can rest assured that your beloved pet will always get the treatment she needs. [caption id="attachment_394" align="aligncenter" width="300"] PC: Estee Janssens, Unsplash[/caption] Because you love your pet and would do anything to make sure that she’s healthy and happy, choosing the right veterinarian is imperative. Shop around before you make a decision. Visit a few clinics and talk to friends who have pets to get recommendations. It’s worth taking extra time to make the right decision. Visit Dr. Jeff Werber’s Instagram account (@werbs_dvm) to view and submit questions and answers on weekly AMAs – or call and leave a voicemail at 424-835-0576. Your call will be returned posthaste. For emergencies, download Dr. Jeff Werber’s app Airvet, a video-chat option for veterinary needs at any time of day or night!