Finding a veterinarian that you trust who meets your dog's needs entirely can be difficult. As a breeder, I have a very strong need for a vet that is knowledgeable, trustworthy, dependable, helpful and understands my breed of dog. As a result, I have researched and met with many vets through the years searching for the perfect vet for me and my bulldogges. Many fell short, but I was extremely lucky to find a wonderful vet locally who meets our needs in every capacity. I highly recommend Dr. Blue Brawner at Pet Vet in Auburn, AL to anyone who lives in the area.
Here are some tips for those of you who don't live in the area and are searching for the perfect veterinarian. First of all, it's important to meet with as many vets in your area as possible and ask them questions. Ask what services they offer and if they have an after hours clinic in case of emergencies. Will they be accessible to you in a time of need? Will they provide the care that your pet may need in the future? Do they offer payment plans or is full payment due at the time of the visit? Those are important questions to have answers for before you encounter an emergency situation. It's not a bad idea to also ask friends and family who they use and recommend as a starting point in your search for a good veterinarian.
It is also important to have a veterinarian who listens to you and hears what you are telling them. I have encountered more than a few vets who failed to listen to my explanation of the Olde English Bulldogge. Nothing is more frustrating than to have your Bulldogge's veterinarian insist that they are an English Bulldog. A good veterinarian is willing to listen to you and is equally willing to learn new things when the opportunity presents itself. Veterinarians have a huge responsibility to care for a multitude of species and they can't be expected to know everything right off hand, but a good vet has the information needed at his finger tips and the resources he needs to provide the best possible care to your animals. A good vet will embrace the opportunity to become familiar with a breed they were maybe unfamiliar with prior to your visit so that they can better serve you and your dog. A good vet will listen to you when you tell them things concerning your dog's symptoms and/or behaviors.
Having a veterinarian that you trust is essential. Does your vet give you accurate information and truly have the best interest of your dog at heart? You will have to talk with veterinarians and ask plenty of questions to form an opinion for yourself on whether or not you trust a particular vet. There are those who will lie to make a buck and mislead you into unnecessary treatments to pad their wallets. It's never a bad a idea to do your own research and learn as much as you can to avoid buying into misinformation while getting to know more about your veterinarian. I can't stress enough the importance of having a veterinarian that you can trust. It's always very comforting to know that the person who holds the life of your beloved dog in his hands is someone who has integrity, is knowledgeable, capable, dependable and has you and your dog's best interest at heart. A good vet is interested in cost efficient treatments when possible. Having a vet who will offer ways to save you money while providing a high level of care for your dog is essential. Don't get me wrong...some treatments are costly and if you own a dog then you should be prepared for those costs if they should arise, but when there are less expensive alternatives that will offer proper treatment to your dog a good vet will offer those alternatives to you and work to save you money and provide your dog with a high level of care and commitment.
When you visit your veterinarian does he seem rushed and distracted? If this is a trend with your vet then I suggest finding a new one fast. We all have busy days and at times any of us can seem rushed or distracted, but this should not be the norm with your vet. It's important to have a vet who takes time to really hear what is going on with your dog, who is focused on diagnosing your dog and is thinking clearly enough to provide proper treatments if needed.
Does your vet like dogs? This may seem like a no brainer, but you will need a vet who genuinely loves dogs and understands dog behavior. Your dog will respond more positively to a vet who really likes him and handles him appropriately than to a vet who is aggravated by dogs and doesn't really care to be bothered by dog hair, drool, etc.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a veterinarian is the condition of the clinic. You will want to choose a vet whose clinic is clean, orderly and smells sanitary. In my vet's clinic there are bottles of sterilizing cleaners in every room and if an accident happens it is cleaned immediately. There is hand sanitizer available to clients at all times, the instruments are all clean and sterile and things are orderly.
Last, but not least, you will want to choose a veterinarian who hires a friendly and helpful staff. When you call is the receptionist kind, courteous and helpful? When you enter the clinic are you greeted by a friendly person who helps you in a timely manner? Are the vet techs and other staff members friendly and helpful? Fast and friendly service is something important to look for when choosing a veterinarian.
Just remember it may take time to find a vet that is a perfect fit for you and your dog. It's important to meet with various vets in your area, ask them questions and to also ask friends and family for recommendations. In the long run it is well worth the time and effort to find a vet that adequately meets you and your dog's needs. You wouldn't trust your health and well-being to just any physician...you probably researched before choosing your family care provider or you use a family doctor that has been treating other family members for years and has built a level of trust with you. The same should hold true for the health and well-being of your dog.
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