From the July 2014 edition onwards we're having a page of your questions in the magazine. If you have an interesting dog-related question you'd like answered please send an email to thinktank@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
May issue
May issue
Friday, 24 August 2012
Practice makes perfect
What questions should I ask of a new vet to ensure I choose the right one for my dog? I'm hoping to change to a smaller practice with the hope of greater continuity.
Finding the right vet for you and your dog is an important process. It is worth doing some research on vets in your area and also asking friends for word of mouth recommendations.
I would advise visiting the practices you are interested in and asking to be shown around. The general attitude of the staff, from the reception through to the vets, should be welcoming and friendly. You can get a very good feel for the practice by visiting it. It is also worth asking what the practice policy is on continuity of care (i.e. will you always see the same vet). You should ask how many vets they have also.
It is worth noting that if you do choose a smaller practice in the hope of more continuity it is unlikely that they will do they own out of hours or emergency work. Therefore if anything happened to your dog after working hours you would need to go to their out of hours provider which is usually in a different location and staffed by different vets. Some practices will also send their hospitalised patients across to these other clinics at nights and weekends. Therefore you may be better off going to a larger practice, which do their own out of hours and in-patient care, but a practice that try to ensure that you will see the same vet as much as is possible.
If you are hoping to join a smaller practice, then one question to ask is the arrangements for emergency cover. Are you happy with the vet practice that you will be referred to? If your dog has to stay in, will he be transferred back to your own vet the next day? What are the arrangements if your dog has to stay over night at the vet's practice? Is someone on duty overnight? Are they taken to another practice? I have been with a small, independent, vet's practice for 25 years. I have never regretted the decision. The owner does have other vets come in to work in the practice - generally for two or three years before they set up on their own - but I know they will be good vets, because the owner has high standards. The vet nurses and receptionists seem to stay for a long time (I think one has been there over 20 years!), so continuity is gained there as well.
Finding the right vet for you and your dog is an important process. It is worth doing some research on vets in your area and also asking friends for word of mouth recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI would advise visiting the practices you are interested in and asking to be shown around. The general attitude of the staff, from the reception through to the vets, should be welcoming and friendly. You can get a very good feel for the practice by visiting it. It is also worth asking what the practice policy is on continuity of care (i.e. will you always see the same vet). You should ask how many vets they have also.
It is worth noting that if you do choose a smaller practice in the hope of more continuity it is unlikely that they will do they own out of hours or emergency work. Therefore if anything happened to your dog after working hours you would need to go to their out of hours provider which is usually in a different location and staffed by different vets. Some practices will also send their hospitalised patients across to these other clinics at nights and weekends. Therefore you may be better off going to a larger practice, which do their own out of hours and in-patient care, but a practice that try to ensure that you will see the same vet as much as is possible.
If you are hoping to join a smaller practice, then one question to ask is the arrangements for emergency cover. Are you happy with the vet practice that you will be referred to? If your dog has to stay in, will he be transferred back to your own vet the next day? What are the arrangements if your dog has to stay over night at the vet's practice? Is someone on duty overnight? Are they taken to another practice? I have been with a small, independent, vet's practice for 25 years. I have never regretted the decision. The owner does have other vets come in to work in the practice - generally for two or three years before they set up on their own - but I know they will be good vets, because the owner has high standards. The vet nurses and receptionists seem to stay for a long time (I think one has been there over 20 years!), so continuity is gained there as well.
ReplyDelete