Your Guide to Finding the Best Vet Care Near You
Finding a veterinarian for your pet can be pretty daunting, especially if you have a pet with a medical condition that requires frequent care. In fact, finding a good animal doctor is just as important to many pet owners as finding a good doctor for themselves.
Luckily, finding a good vet isn’t as difficult or daunting once you know what to look for. A good vet will be respectful and helpful, and they will also make pet owners feel comfortable when asking questions. Good vets will be transparent about your pet’s health and care as well as about costs and outcomes0.
In this article, we will be explaining everything that pet owners need to know about finding the best vet care near them. We will do this by explaining what a good vet looks like, how to find a good vet, and some questions that are good to ask a new vet.
What Does a Great Vet Look Like?
Luckily, the qualities of a good vet are pretty universal. For instance, most good vet offices and animal hospitals will have positive reviews online. Additionally, a good vet will make both pets and their owners feel safe and comfortable during their stay. Here are all of the qualities that every great vet will have.
They Will be Respectful and Helpful
A great vet will always be respectful and helpful when interacting with pet owners. This should include both interactions over the phone and in person. A good vet will never shame a pet owner when asking questions or addressing their concerns. You should always be comfortable when at the vet, and a good vet will always acknowledge this and ensure that every member of their staff is respectful and helpful.
They Will Usually Have Good Reviews
Today most businesses have reviews online on Yelp, Facebook, Google, and many other sites. Luckily, this makes looking for a good place of business such as a vet much easier. Most great veterinary offices and animal hospitals will have positive reviews online, and negative reviews should be few and far between.
You Will Feel Comfortable Asking Questions
You should always feel comfortable when asking questions to your vet, vet techs, and even client service reps at the vet. Transparency is crucial for adequate care, and this can only effectively be done by asking questions about your pet’s health, proper care, diagnoses, costs and possible treatment plans.
They Will be Transparent About Your Pet’s Health and Care
Additionally, a great vet will also be transparent about the health and care of your pet. This means that your vet will always be open and honest about your pet’s health, any diagnoses that the vet gives them, and what treatment plans they recommend. A good vet will also be transparent about cost, potential side effects, and any recovery times, and possible outcomes before going through with a treatment, operation, or prescription.
How Can You Find a Good Vet?
The good news is that today there are several different routes that you can take to finding a good vet. Most people turn to looking up local vets online. However, finding a vet through word of mouth or a professional recommendation can also be great options. Here is how you can find a good vet that is close to you.
Searching Online
Most people find their vets by looking up close by veterinary clinics and animal hospitals online. This can be a great and easy choice, as most information about a vet’s pricing, availability, and basic treatment options are available for viewing online.
You can also gather a lot of great information on a vet by reading their reviews. Remember to look at all reviews including good, bad, and neutral ones. This will help you get the full picture of how the vet clinic operates and treats its customers. It is also a good idea to take the most recent reviews more seriously, as things like staffing and management can change. Keep in mind that often good medicine can cost more that owners can or wish to afford which sometimes results in unhappy comments.
It is always a good idea to look a vet office up online before going there, even if you have received a recommendation from a friend or professional. This will give you more information on a vet so you can make the best decision for you and your pet.
Word of Mouth
Many people still get references for businesses like vets through word of mouth. After all, what better way to find a vet than from a reference from a trusted friend or family member? Though finding a vet this way is considered a bit old school today, it can still be a good option. If you and your friend feel the same way about pets and their care, chances are their vet will be a good option for you too.
Professional Recommendations
Many professionals working with animals will have a vet office or animal hospital that they recommend and work with closely themselves. As a result, it may not be a bad idea to ask animal professionals that you know or work with for their recommendations.
You can ask professionals like pet groomers, dog and cat trainers, and even animal shelter or rescue employees who they recommend for a local vet. Do keep in mind that low cost can be a determinant of a rescue’s vet of choice. You may want a higher standard of care for your fur family.
Associations and Certifications:
Some animal hospitals choose to voluntarily undergo additional inspections and certifications such as being AAHA accredited, Fear Free™ or Cat Friendly Certified. These certifications show a commitment to excellence in staff training, animal behavior and standards of care. AAHA accreditation signifies that a veterinary practice has met or exceeded stringent quality standards that encompass all aspects of veterinary medicine, from pain management to medical record-keeping, and has committed to a path of continuous improvement.
Some Questions to Ask Your New Vet
Asking a new potential vet questions is extremely valuable because it allows you to gather a lot of specific information that is important to you. Here are some examples of great questions to ask a new vet.
- Do you have payment plans available?
- How many veterinarians are there?
- If there is a veterinarian that I like, can I request to see them specifically?
- What services do you offer? (Also, ask if the clinic/hospital can accommodate your pet if they need specialized care.)
- What species of animals do you care for?
- Do you accept walk-ins, drop off’s or is the clinic by appointment only?
- Do your doctors perform surgeries?
- Are you in communication with local veterinary specialists? (in the case that your pet needs specialized care)
- What do you do if my pet has an after-hours emergency?
- How far out in advance would I typically need to make an appointment?
- Do you offer home delivery of pet medications and food?
- Do you offer monthly paid wellness plans?
- Do you accept pet insurance?
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the best veterinary care near you is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of your beloved pet. While the process of finding a good animal doctor may seem daunting at first, it can be simplified by knowing what to look for and asking the right questions. A great vet will be respectful, helpful, and transparent about your pet’s health and care, and will have positive reviews online. You can find a good vet by searching online, asking for word-of-mouth recommendations, seeking professional recommendations or looking for AAHA association accredited practices. Asking your new vet questions about their services, payment plans, and communication with specialists and emergency care providers can help you make an informed decision. With these tips, you can feel confident in finding the best possible care for your furry friend.
If you are looking for a great veterinarian near Matthews, NC contact our team at Caring Hearts Animal Hospital. Our team is Fear Free Certified and AHAA accredited. Make an appointment for your cat by calling us at (704) 893-2799 or by scheduling an appointment online.