Find the Perfect Veterinarian

by Tom Ewing

The practitioner you choose must meet the needs of both you and your dog.

For a variety of worthwhile reasons, you - as a responsible dog owner - may find yourself in the market for a good veterinarian. Perhaps, for example, you're moving, dog and all, from one locale to another. Maybe you're about to acquire a puppy, and you want to plan ahead for the healthcare it will receive when it arrives in your home.

Or maybe you're not completely satisfied with your current veterinarian and want to make a change. There are tens of thousands of veterinarians currently practicing throughout the U.S., and you're very likely to find the right one if you conduct your search in a thorough and orderly way.

Experts in the field generally agree that the main things to consider as you go about evaluating a prospective veterinarian are (1) the location of the clinic and the manner in which it conducts its business; (2) the overall condition of the facility and the technical resources available there; (3) the quality and professional comportment of the clinic's staff and (4) the extent to which you can trust and communicate with the prospective veterinarian.

Launching the Search

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and
other reliable sources, the best way to begin hunting for a well-qualified veterinarian is byword of mouth.

Get a recommendation from a trusted friend or neighbor who has the same concerned attitude toward animal care that you do. Recommendations may also come from such professionally experienced people as dog groomers and trainers or kennel and animal shelter employees. Of course, you can also check the Yellow Pages under such headings as "Veterinarians" or "Animal Hospitals."

If you're relocating, says James Richards, DVM, director of Cornell University's Feline Health Center, you might want to ask "the vet back home" to recommend a colleague in the area to which you're moving. You can also contact by phone or via the Internet suchrirgantations as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for general guidance regarding your search or even specific reference to certified veterinarians in your area. If you also own a cat, Dr. Richards suggests that you may want to contact the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).

Evaluate a Practice

Once you've compiled a list of potential veterinarians, you should evaluate each of them according to the following criteria. Here are some - though not all - of the important matters you should consider as you proceed with your search:

•Is the practice conveniently located, and is its way of doing business acceptable to you? How close to your home is the clinic located? How long would it take you to drive there in case of an emergency? Is parking convenient? What are its regular hours? What about nighttime, weekends and holidays? How long ahead of time do you have to make an appointment? What are its standard fees for services? What methods of payment are accepted?

• Is the facility well-maintained, and is it appropriately equipped to meet all of your animal's routine health needs? Is the clinic clean and orderly? Is the waiting room safe and suitable for your animal? What range of medical services is offered? Does the facility provide nonmedical services, such as boarding and grooming? Is it equipped to handle emergency situations? Does it have the necessary equipment for diagnostic procedures involving, for example,

• Are you confident that the staff (support personnel and technicians as well as veterinary practitioners) are qualified to serve you on an ongoing basis and are eager to do so? How many veterinarians are in the practice? What are their credentials and specialties? Are the receptionists friendly, cooperative and responsive to your specific needs? Do all employees dress and comport themselves in a professional manner? Do the technicians and other support people seem eager to get to know your dog and to treat the animal humanely?

• Is it likely that you and your prospective veterinarian will communicate easily and with mutual respect in a relationship that could go on for years? Will you feel that the practitioner is a "straight shooter" - a person who will discuss any canine health problems with
you patiently and candidly? Or will he or she always seem to be rushed and unwilling to spend adequate time discussing your animal's health in detail? And will the practitioner readily refer you to a specialist if necessary?

"Communication is very, very important," says Dr. Richards. "If the veterinarian doesn't talk to you, doesn't make sure you understand the health issue, and always seems in a rush to push you through - then this is not an ideal relationship."

A Trial Run

After you've answered these questions and perhaps many others that pertain to the specific needs of you and your dog, you'll probably be able to narrow the list of prospective veterinarians to three or four candidates. At that point, you should arrange for a personal tour of each practice.

According to Dr. Richards: "Most practices should be able to schedule a visit at an agreed-upon time - not, of course, during their busiest hours. When you're there, make sure that the place is neat and clean. It should look up-to-date, and it certainly shouldn't smell bad.

The staff and the veterinarian should be eager to address all of your questions and concerns willingly, to give you a full tour, and to show you all of their equipment. You'll have to make your final choice largely according to what
you see there first-hand."

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