Choosing a veterinarian for your furry friends can be just as important as picking out a doctor for you and your children. Picking out a veterinarian for your friend with 4 legs can be just as overwhelming as finding a doctor for your children. Maybe you just got your first pet or moved and are looking for a veterinarian st petersburg fl. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to know what to look for to ensure that your friend is getting the best care possible.
Do They Have the Right Certifications and Accreditations?
There are many different certifications and accreditations that veterinarians can earn in their field. While there are some “organizations” that do little more than sell people certifications that mean almost nothing, there are also groups like the AAHA, American Animal Hospital Association, who strive to make sure the people involved in their organization are providing the best care possible to their animal patients and their families. When a veterinarian is board certified, it means that they probably spent at least an extra year continuing their education.
Is the Office Clean?
A picture might speak 1,000 words, but actually seeing a place in person can tell you even more. When you are trying to choose the right veterinarian for your furry friends, most reputable animal doctors should have no problem giving you a small tour of their facilities. There are many hazards involving health and safety when it comes to veterinarian offices that need to be considered for the safety of the humans and the pets in the office. Along with the waiting room and office spaces, you might want to take a glance at the area where the pets are kept in cages. Are dogs and cats kept in separate areas? If they aren’t, it could cause a lot of undue stress on the animals as they won’t be comfortable around their temporary roommates.
How Is the Staff?
While it’s important to check out the background and credentials of the veterinarian themselves, you and your pet will encounter more than just them. It’s a good idea to watch how the staff interacts with the animals when they think that nobody is watching. Do they seem calm as they are working with the animals and are they staying organized? It’s also a good idea to see what kind of technicians there are at the practice and if they do testing like blood work and x-rays on site instead of making you go somewhere else.
Is It Convenient?
You may find yourself in a position where you have multiple veterinarians that can take care of your pets in the area. If they all seem to be of equal quality, the final decision may come down to convenience and price. What is the parking situation like at their office? Is it close to your home and in a spot that is easy to get in and out of? Do they offer emergency services? By answering all of these questions, you will have a good idea as to what veterinarian is right for your buddy!
