 Selecting
A Veterinarian
It’s important to
choose a veterinary hospital before you need one. Ask family, friends, and
neighbors for recommendations. Once you find a hospital, take some time to check
it out. Ask for a tour of the facility, and use your eyes and nose to detect
cleanliness. Also check if the facility is well-lit. Does it have laboratory
equipment? Is there gas anesthesia? If it doesn't meet your expectations, turn
around and leave.
Hospitals that are
accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) meet high
veterinary care standards. Each hospital voluntarily completes a detailed
evaluation of its services and equipment. Then a trained practice consultant
thoroughly inspects the hospital to make sure it meets AAHA's high
standards in areas such as surgery, medical records, anesthesia, and dentistry.
Less than 14 percent
of the small animal veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada are
accredited AAHA members. For the names of AAHA hospitals in your
area, use the
Healthypet’s Hospital Locator.
In addition to the
facility, you'll also want to make sure the veterinarian meets your
expectations. It's important that you and your pet are comfortable with the
doctor. The veterinarian should be able to communicate with you and make you
feel comfortable asking questions. Even if the doctor is highly qualified, if
you don't hit it off, you may need to go elsewhere.
Finally, when
choosing a veterinary hospital, make sure the office hours and payment policy
are convenient for you. Ask for a hospital brochure or welcome letter that
explains the hospital policies and procedures.
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