Veterinary care is mandatory in the life of your pet. Whether it’s a feline, a dog, a parrot, a rabbit, an iguana … From the moment we insert a new member into our family, regardless of the species, we must give it all the conditions it needs to live happily with our side. Regular visits to the veterinarian are one of the key points of the health of any animal.
Each species needs specific care that may include deworming, vaccination, or just regular visits as a preventive medicine to make sure everything is okay. Many guardians only consult a veterinarian when the animal gets sick. Don’t make that mistake. Before you even adopt an animal, you should consult a veterinarian!
- Almost all tutors ask us this question: how to choose a good veterinarian? Animal Expert will answer this question with 10 tips to find a good professional.
This is definitely point number 1! Unfortunately, there are many “fake veterinarians” and clinics that are not legal. It is the function of justice to detect these cases of fraud, but all guardians should be aware that these cases exist and may be closer than you think.
Only a veterinarian has the necessary training and practice to perform medical procedures on animals. Do not take your dog to vaccinate the Petshop worker, or your neighbor, who can get vaccinated “cheaper”. Cheap is expensive and your pet’s health is priceless!
Recently, in Portugal, the president of the Order of Veterinarians, Jorge Cid, warned that there are dozens of complaints about false veterinarians in that country, which endanger not only the life of animals but also public health in general. If you live in Portugal, please note that any certificate or vaccine issued by a veterinarian must bear a sticker issued by the Order.
In Brazil, several cases of false veterinarians have also been reported. Here are some of the reasons customers suspect:
The question of the location of the veterinary clinic or hospital is relative. Ideally, a clinic near you is preferable to avoid the stress of traveling with the animal and the time it takes to get to the clinic in case of emergency. However, it may be worth going a few more kilometres to benefit from better services. You should always evaluate the pros and cons.
Many clinics have home service! If you have an animal that has locomotion problems or is very stressful when traveling, this can be a great option.
You can ask directly at the clinic, before going out with your pet, to visit the facilities. Most clinics will show you the facilities without any problem (of course, you should not expect a guided tour of the entire hospital, especially if it is a busy day and you have not booked before). They’ll probably explain all the conditions of the clinic. Take the opportunity to ask what emergency services are available, how many veterinarians work in the clinic, what are the specialties of the veterinarians, if you have x-rays in the clinic or if you will have to do them in others if necessary.
Why is it important to ask questions about conditions? The more equipment the clinic has, the better it will be for your pet. It will be much more comfortable to do more tests in the clinic itself than to have to travel in case of emergency. However, most clinics, when they do not have a specific service, have agreements with other institutions. It’s not a determining factor, but it’s important to look at it like everyone else we’ve mentioned.
This first approach, without your pet, also allows you to immediately perceive the environment of the clinic. Feeling well treated? Are everyone friendly and happy in the workplace? These points are as important as the clinic’s qualifications and services. If all goes well, you will be in this place for many years and it is essential that you feel well taken care of.
As we have just mentioned, we should appreciate the kindness and the way you treat him as a customer. Consider the personality of the veterinarian. It is very important that you enjoy the way you are of your veterinarian, both with you and with your pet. Only then will you have full confidence in him that something happens to your little one and you have to leave him at the clinic.
More than a vet who “knows everything”, you want a humble vet! All veterinarians, regardless of their number of years of experience, have their limits. A good veterinarian knows your limitations and when a case requires more than your knowledge, you will be the first to suggest that you call a specialist. In other words, a good veterinarian is not necessarily the one who quickly diagnoses his pet’s complex heart problem, but the one who recognizes that it’s best to recommend a fellow cardiologist to accompany a case he can’t solve alone.
The vet’s specialty is fundamental. Increasingly, veterinary medicine is moving towards specialization, as is human medicine. Before thinking of a specialization in cardiology, neurology, etc., think of the animal in question.
If you have a reptile, it won’t be the best option to take it to a horse veterinarian. Look for a veterinarian who specializes in your pet. Today, there are already exclusive clinics for exotic animals, exclusive cat clinics, etc. Some clinics offer services for several different animals. You must ensure that your pet receives the attention of a specialist in this animal!
Veterinarians are constantly studying and updating. Please refer to your veterinarian’s information on your clinic’s website. You can also search for your veterinarian in the CFMV and see their courses and diplomas.
If your pet has a specific problem, as we gave in the example above, of cardiology, you may want to consult a specialist in this area. Of course, the price of a specialist will probably be higher, but is there a better investment than the health of your pet?
24-hour care is important because you never know when your pet will need immediate attention. If your clinic does not have one, ask your veterinarian to contact you if you need it. Like other factors, you should not exclude a clinic if you do not have this service but it is essential that you are prepared and that you always have a number on hand for any time of distress.
Price should not be a determining factor in a veterinarian’s choice. It is extremely difficult to compare the prices of medical services because in practice they vary greatly. A clinic can even offer cheaper vaccination prices and be more expensive when urgent hospitality is needed, for example.
Besides, is it really worth paying 30 reais for the service of a less competent professional than the one that costs 60? Your pet’s health is priceless! This is not to say that a less charging veterinarian is a worse professional than someone who charges more. Every case is different and that’s why quality has to be prioritized! Most veterinarians will always send a quote before continuing any treatment. Unfortunately, not everyone has the financial means to finance certain treatments and veterinarians face this reality on a daily basis.
Some important questions to ask the clinic in this regard include
Other services offered by the clinic can be an advantage! Today, many clinics already have professionals specialized in baths, haircuts and nails. Some even have hotel service and partner coaches!
Some feline clinics, for example, already have so-called “courses for kittens” that promote the socialization of kittens!
If you want your vet to treat you well, you must also be a good customer! Being a good customer doesn’t just mean being a good guardian of your pet. You must promote and promote a good relationship with your veterinarian. After all, it’s in his hands that you’ll leave your best friend!
Listen carefully to all of your veterinarian’s tips and tricks. If it says anything, it’s important to listen to it and apply it! Sometimes the vet says a lot of information at the same time and you’re having trouble keeping up… tell him that! A good veterinarian will have no problem slowing down information or even writing for you. Don’t be ashamed to ask as many times as necessary to stay away!
Don’t expect from the vet what you wouldn’t expect from a mechanic checking his car. In other words, you wouldn’t tell your mechanic to just take a look at your car without paying, would you? Well, the vet also has bills to pay, he also has family and equipment and drugs are not paid for alone. If you have financial problems, talk openly to your veterinarian. Most veterinarians offer more affordable options and payment methods for people with poorer economic conditions.
Rate your veterinarian’s work and opinion. If your veterinarian has prescribed any treatment, don’t tell him that your neighbor’s home remedy should be better! Your vet does everything you know and does everything you can to save your best friend.
Respect the clinic’s schedule and use the emergency department only when there is one. Being woken up at 5 a.m. to vaccinate a dog is not an emergency. Veterinarians are also human and we need to rest 100% to take good care of our best friends!
The most important thing is that you trust your veterinarian. This trust must be reciprocal and, for this, do not lie to your veterinarian. You should remember that it is your pet’s health that is at risk. He has no way of speaking and you’re his voice! Any details you can say can be helpful in getting a correct diagnosis and defining the treatment that will cure your pet.
If you’ve ever found a veterinarian who fully trusts your best friend’s health, don’t give up! If, on the other hand, you are not satisfied with the service or are simply looking for a second opinion, do not hesitate! As in human medicine, there’s no problem asking for a second and third opinion on your pet’s case!
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