Some of you may wonder why your pet needs a veterinarian; here are some things to consider:
First and foremost is the initial examination. The pet you purchased, whether it is a dog, cat, small furry critter, bird or reptile may look healthy; but it is always a good idea to have a vet examine your new pet. There may be some underlying problems you can’t see or you may have missed something during your own examination. The veterinarian and staff should be caring and considerate of you and your new pet. They should discuss preventative care of your pet, nutrition and give you a plan of action for any problems if needed. They should spend time with you answering all of your questions.
Once you have established a relationship with your vet, make sure to go for annual checkups. The veterinarian should always check weight to see if there are any significant changes and should discuss if your pet is under weight, overweight or just perfect. Besides updates on vaccinations, this would also be a good time for a dental checkup. This is an area some owners forget about.
If your pet manages to get infested with fleas, ticks, or worms; it also a good idea to have a veterinarian that you can trust. You may be able to treat some of these problems yourself; but if you cannot, you want to have a place to go. Most often a vet will be able to treat the above quicker and more safely than you could with over the counter products.
Another reason to have a relationship with a veterinarian is in case of an emergency. You don’t want any more stress during this time. You want to have a place to go where you and your pet already feel comfortable. Make sure to have your veterinarian’s phone number hanging in a location where it is easy to find. It is also a good idea to have a back-up vet phone number and an emergency 24 hour care center number available too.
A good veterinarian will stand by you throughout your pet’s life. They are there at the beginning and will be there at the end; whether due to accident, natural causes or old age. They will help you and your pet through any painful time. It should be their compassion and understanding that will help to give you some type of relief.
So, you can see there are a few reasons to find a veterinarian that you and your pet really like and trust.
Hopefully, this has given you some helpful information. It is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from other pet owners, breeders or pet stores as they can usually shed some insight on the veterinarians in your area.
