Don’t be afraid to call each
clinic and ask as many questions as you want. Remember, you might trust one of
these clinics with the well being of your pet. As you call, keep the following
in mind.
·
Friendliness
of staff – If they seem to want to
get off the phone quickly, or are too busy for you, they will probably always
be too busy to give your pet the care it needs.
·
Prices – Do ask for prices, but don’t base your decision
solely on the cheapest clinic. As in most industries, you get what you pay for.
Ask for basic price quotes for vaccinations, nail trim, spay and/or neuter,
basic office exam, emergency office exam, and any medications your pet may be
on.
·
After-hours
care – Does this clinic provide
emergency after-hours assistance, or is there a nearby emergency clinic you
will be referred to? It would be nice to be able to keep your same veterinarian
for all medical emergencies, but in some cases a nearby emergency clinic can
provide better technology and care for your pet.
·
Specialty – Find out what kind of experience the veterinarians
and staff have with any specific medical need your pet might have (such as
diabetes, chronic pain, allergies, etc.).
·
Number of
vets – It’s not a priority, but
finding a clinic with at least two or three veterinarians allows for you to
have more flexibility in scheduling appointments, as well as easy-to-access
second opinions when needed.
·
Boarding facilities
– If you’re someone who likes to
travel, be sure to ask about on-site boarding facilities. Are pets kept
together or in separate kennels? Does your pet have to pass an interview before
allowed to board there? Are kennels outside, inside, or both?
·
Grooming – Again, it’s not a necessity to find a clinic that
does have groomers on staff, but it is a nice plus, especially if you have a
pet that needs groomed often. This way, a doctor is always handy in case of an
emergency.