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08-01-2013, 10:40 AM | #1 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Choosing a good vet - what do you look for? We may have had a thread like this before, but I think it is timely to try to collectively seek other long time dog owners, fanciers, breeders etc. And breeders it is more of what you tell your pet puppy owners what to look for versus what you as a breeder needs in a vet. These are some of the questions I would ask. 1, Does this vet have experience with the toy breeds? 2. Does this vet have lots of experience with Yorkshire Terriers and their specific health concerns? 3. How long have you been in practice? Now some of this info will likely be on the clinics' website - if not ask. 4. Do you have any specialty or interest in alternative or homeopathic approaches to vet care. Physiotherapy available at your clinic? Class IV laser treatments, underwater treadmill? 5. Do you also have a nutrition degree for canines? 6. What kind of emergency care is available at your clinic? 7. What is your protocol on vaccinations? Do you follow the latest AVMA recommendations? 8. Are you willing to split vaccines as this is a toy breed. If so, Will I need to pay an office visit for the next vaccine in the series? 9. What is the nature type/kind of diagnostic imaging you use? 10. Do you refer to a specific ER hospital for specialist referrals? Other options? 11. Do you have a nutritionist you collaborate with? Now not to make too fine a point of this, but you should check to see that they are actually licensed in the State they are practicing in. Look for reviews of the clinic. BBB etc. And for me one piece of advice is to change vets, if the actual vet treats you or your dog, in a way that is very concerning for you. Do try to talk about your concerns first, to help eliminate any mis-communication snafus'. But if you truly don't like and are really uncomfortable with the vets approach, demeanour and treatment of either you or your pup, that is not the place for you.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
Welcome Guest! | |
08-01-2013, 10:48 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aberdeen, MD
Posts: 550
| Excellent information! As comprehensive as Gemy's post is, there is absolutely nothing I could add!
__________________ Shannon & Puff "All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed; for after all he was only human. He wasn't a dog." Charles M. Schultz |
08-01-2013, 03:09 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Thank you, gemy! I'm going to print this. This is a new vet we have started using. I don't know the answers to half of these questions. But I'm going to find out. This would make a great sticky IMO.
__________________ Steph & Jasper |
08-01-2013, 03:51 PM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Coast
Posts: 96
| I especially love the very last line of gemy's post--as I ended up switching from one very well-qualified vet to another very well-qualified vet because the first vet made Toby very uncomfortable. Vet #1 was very loud and didn't take the time to make friends with Toby. Vet #2 gets down on the floor with Toby (literally!) and entices Toby over, never speaks in a loud voice, and by the end of the appointment has Toby on his back in her arms and is rubbing him on the tummy! Toby would quake in fear at the first vet...this is such a difference and I'm so glad I switched even though the first vet also came highly recommended.
__________________ Sarah Toby the Morkie and Max the Yorkie |
08-01-2013, 04:00 PM | #5 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| I have all those very things on the lis I send to my new parents....PLUS one that I think is really important.... Is there a payment plan, where you can pay the vet so much a month, on a balance due....in case of emergencies, it is really nice to have a vet that will respond to your emergency and then allow you to pay the bill monthly. I am not talking about "CareCredit" ....although that is a question also, if they accept Care Credit there! I also ask about what other dog insurance plans they honor.... |
08-01-2013, 04:13 PM | #6 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| great post!
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
08-01-2013, 05:17 PM | #7 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NJ
Posts: 1,354
| Another question prior to surgery- do you have all the reversal meds on hand? This would be difficult to find out until there's a problem, but my favorite thing about my vet is he doesn't pressure his patients and gives his honest opinion. For example when my grandmom's dog had a fatty tumor by her leg he told her prior to the surgery that it most likely would grow back and it's probably not cancer, he was right. We decided against treating my 15 year old poodle's leukemia and my aunt decided to watch her 13 year old's mammory tumor. He agreed both of us made the right decision. |
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