How To Choose a Vet for Your Pet
Deciding on a vet for your pet is one of the most important decisions that a pet owner has to make. There are numerous considerations and at the end of the day, your decision will have a major impact on the future care your pet receives. We at Jet Pet Resort have put together a list to help aid you through the decision making process.
Quick Background: Veterinarian Educational Requirements
Veterinarians must train at a recognized university for at least six years to attain a doctoral degree – the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Veterinarians are educated to protect the health of both animals and humans. Not only do they address the health needs of a wide variety of animal species, but they also play a critical role in environmental protection, food safety, animal welfare and public health.
To practice as a veterinarian in British Columbia a person must complete the minimum six years of study and meet the requirements of the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia – the provincial regulatory body. All Vets must be registered with this governing body if practicing in BC.
Many veterinarians go far beyond the required six-year program often choosing areas such as surgery, radiology, dentistry, ultrasound, oncology, nutrition, epidemiology, ophthalmology, cardiology and dermatology to specialize in. Ask your Vet what his educational background is. Most are more than happy, if not excited to share this with you.
Key Factors For Picking A Vet:
Distance
Try to find a veterinarian close to your home. To begin with, it’s convenient and if there ever is an emergency, you will be able to get your pet there fast – which could mean the difference between life and death. Also, is there parking or is it accessible by public transit?
Recommendations from Other Pet Owner’s
Word of mouth can be very powerful and very informative. Talk with other pet owners about who they use and what their experiences have been. Be sure to take into consideration the type of animals they own and don’t be afraid to approach owners of the same breed at a dog park or on a walk.
Hours of Operation
Make sure that your vet’s hours are flexible enough that you are able to bring your pet in for non-emergency treatment. Ask if they are open weekday evenings or open on the weekend. All vets make arrangements for their clients’ pets to receive emergency treatment outside normal hours – although it may not actually be at their own practice if they don’t have the facilities to find out about this. You and your pet may be sent a lot further than you thought in the case of an emergency!
Attitude of Staff
When bringing your pet in for any treatment, you want to know that he/she is in good hands. How does the staff treat your pet? Are they sympathetic, interested, or engaged? Do they make your pet comfortable? Are they referring to your pet by name? Make sure that the care providers of your pet are just as interested in their well-being as you are. Judge whether or not they are giving you all the required information and that there are no unanswered questions on your end.
Specialization
Veterinarians are for the most part generalists who perform a variety of medical and surgical procedures. But occasions arise for a specialist to take over – for an MRI scan as an example. Ask what other areas they specialize in and if they are connected to outside specialists if the need arises.
Extra Services
Many veterinarians today provide extra services such as puppy training and obedience classes. Most offer advice and factsheets to help you care for your pet. If you’re interested in what other services your local vet provides, give them a call or see if they’ve got a website.
Price
Prices for pet care can vary depending on a veterinarian’s location, the facilities they offer and their overheads. Staff should be able to give you typical costs for routine treatments. Make sure to ask exactly what is included for any treatment or quote and get it in writing. If your pet is having surgery, find out whether there will be further charges for post-op check-ups.
Remember, emergency pet care can get very expensive, very quickly and is never predictable. It is a good idea to consider pet insurance or to open a special savings account just for your pet.
Conclusion
Taking the time to research your veterinarian today may save you headaches, time and money in the future. The same is true when deciding on a facility to board your pet when travelling.
At Jet Pet Resort we specialize in the care of your pet while you are away. We offer both short and long stays and can accommodate even the neediest of furry friends. We are staffed by pet care specialists who are all pet owners & pet first-aid certified and we always strive to provide the finest care for our guests. Conveniently located at the YVR airport our services extend to create a boarding experience that includes a full-service doggy spa, a pet boutique, exercise programs and tonnes of socialization.
Because of our extended pickup and drop off times, we accommodate even the most challenging schedules of owners – which is just another reason why we see our guests again and again. So the next time you are looking to put your pet up for a stay give us a call, or better yet, come in for a tour and see for yourself why Jet Pet Resort is the ultimate pet-friendly hotel in Vancouver.