If you haven’t already found one, or worked with one in
past, you need to find a vet. Pick one you feel comfortable with, and who answers your questions in full, completely and gives you answers you can understand. You don’t need a vet who talks down to you, or acts like you’re too dumb to understand what they’re saying!Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals (as opposed to one who treats large and small – like horses, cows, cats and dogs.) Your community may only have vets that do a little bit of everything – and there’s nothing wrong with that, if that’s all that’s available, but I’ll remind you – you usually go to a specialist for your health issues, don’t you?
If you’re new in community, or haven’t needed a vet before – word of mouth is a great way to start looking for a new vet. Ask everybody you can get your hands on – co-workers, friends with pets, local humane societies or shelters. Ask questions: are they happy with their vet? Do they like way they’re treated when they take their dogs in?
If your dog is a particular breed, check with local or state breed associations to find out who they use, or local breeders. This can be especially useful if you buy a puppy from a local breeder, because vet will have seen your puppy and know at least some of his history. You may want a holistic vet. Go to their website at www.ahvma.org and check out their referral directory. Or contact them via phone at (410) 569-0795 You may also be interested in a veterinarian who has been trained in acupuncture through International Veterinary Acupuncture XE "Acupuncture" Society. Log onto their website XE "International Veterinary Acupuncture Society" at http://www.ivas.org or call 970-266-0666. Once you have a referral from someone you trust, here are some questions to ask:
1. What services does vet offer? Is it a one-doctor office, or a multi-doctor practice? As vets try to streamline services many are consolidating practices and forming partnerships and group practices. There’s nothing wrong with this – just be aware that you may not always see same vet. And find out if they offer 24 hour emergency services, or if he or she is affiliated with someone in area who does. Like everything else in life, illness or accidents don’t always happen between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
