Who, besides you and your family, plays an integral role in your dog’s well-being? Your veterinarian, of course! You rely on the family vet for vaccinations and check-ups, advice on healthcare and feeding, and most importantly, in an emergency. 

Regular visits to the vet are part and parcel of caring for your dog. When your puppy reaches a certain age, you take it to the vet for scheduled vaccinations against common canine diseases. 

During the visit, your vet will tell you if your dog is suffering from any hereditary diseases. Sometimes, these problems are not life threatening but the dog will have to be treated to keep the symptoms in check.  

A good vet will recommend the right diet for your dog. 

Before you settle on a vet for your dog, you could ask if he specialises in dental care, surgery, eye care or orthopaedics.

Being familiar with your dog makes it easier for your vet to treat him for any complications. It’s preferable not to change vets too often. 

Ask around 

Because your vet is expected to be there throughout your pet’s life, do some homework before deciding on one. Find a vet whom both you and your dog are comfortable with. 

The best place to start is by getting referrals and recommendations from friends or relatives. Ask them why they chose that particular vet. 

Check policies, experience and site 

After you have made a list of possible candidates, call their respective offices to ask for basic information. 

You might want to know the clinic’s office hours and what their charges are for inoculation and neutering, for instance.  

Will the vet be prepared to make house calls if necessary? What is their policy for emergency situations after hours? 

You may also want to determine the proportion of the vet’s clients who have dogs. That could be an indication of his experience. If you want to go further, you could ask how many of those dogs are of your breed.  

You could also ask if that vet specialises in dental care, surgery, eye care or orthopaedics. 

To get an idea, pay your prospective vets a visit. That way you can observe how well kept or unkempt the premises is. A good clinic should be well-lit, furnished with proper facilities and free of faecal matter and strong odour. 

Practise pragmatism 

It will be much easier for you to choose a vet whose practice is close to where you live. This comes in handy especially during emergencies.  

Sometimes, getting the right vet can be a result of trial and error. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions about procedure, or even mode of payment. 

A lot of people consider their dog a family member and have strong feelings about how their pet should be treated.  

If you find that you are not comfortable with a vet you have chosen, it’s best to move on to another one on your list. W