by Bonnie Kotsch

Created on: October 23, 2008

When selecting a veterinarian do you just choose one out of the Yellow Pages because it's closest to your home? Maybe it was a relative who recommended the vet you currently take your dog to and their word was good enough. Would you choose a doctor for yourself or a family member in the same way? I sure hope you answered no to that. The reason being that everyone is different, much the same way that dog breeds are different and don't always require the same care.

When deciding on a vet for your dog's health care it's always important to know what, if any, health concerns you may have to deal with in the future. Is your vet qualified to treat those diseases and conditions or will you end up needing to find another vet who does? You may even be referred to another vet you're not familiar with to entrust your dog's health to. You don't want to find yourself in this position when your dog's health is on the line.

Save yourself time and worry by making the right selection. It's always a good idea to ask your friends and neighbors who their veterinarian is and the reasons they like him/her. Listen to what they have to say but, I don't recommend taking them at their word. A vet who is good for one of your friends and their dog isn't always best for you and your dog. This does not mean that your friend has bad taste in vets; it simply means that everyone expects different qualities in their veterinarian. By listening you can save yourself some time and money. Contact the offices of one or two of the vets your friends recommended that sounded good to you and schedule an appointment to meet with them. Decide for yourself, after asking plenty of questions, which veterinarian is the best choice for your beloved dog.

During your meeting with the vet you'll want to pay close attention to what he or she has to say regarding your dog's health. Does he sound as if he truly cares, or does it just seem as if he can't wait for his last appointment to leave so he can go home for the day? Is their office set up to do blood work, x-rays or heaven forbid, surgery? Does their office have emergency services if something suddenly happens to your dog and it can't wait for the office to open in the morning or after the weekend? Do the vet and his office staff seem to truly love animals or are they just there for the paycheck?

Don't forget the regular check-ups that come with vaccinations and sometimes additional expenses. You want to choose a vet with reasonable charges that aren't going to

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