Along These Lines: How to Choose a Vet

ALONG THESE LINES
by Nick Thomas

How to Choose a Vet

There are several factors to consider when selecting the right veterinarian for your family’s precious pets.

First and foremost, a vet should demonstrate an exhaustive knowledge of veterinary medicine. A vet must also be compassionate and immediately put you and your pet at ease with a caring, kennel-side manner. A vet who greets potential clients with a stun gun strapped to his belt or tells YOU to “Sit and Stay!” will not build a bond of confidence with a pet owner.

When you first enter the clinic, casually scan the premises for modern diagnostic facilities. It should be equipped with an X-ray machine and ultrasound, and have the capability to perform EKGs, endoscopy, and other important procedures. It may be disconcerting if the shelves are stocked mostly with rolls of duct tape and all the medical equipment is labeled “As Seen on TV.”

It is also essential for a vet to be familiar with all the new medications now available to treat common animal ailments. However, if your vet recommends the latest de-worming tablet because it “worked on the neighbor’s kid,” you might be suspicious of his ability to conduct valid clinical trials.

As the examination of your pet begins, closely observe if the vet employs traditional veterinary procedures or if he appears influenced by so-called New Age methods. You may not feel comfortable with a vet who applies WD-40 to your aging collie with hip joint problems, or who uses a dowsing rod to locate your cat’s bladder. Along these lines, also avoid vets who attempt to dislodge your cat’s hair ball by using the Heimlich maneuver.

While older vets may boast many years of experience, remember that faculties such as eyesight and memory can diminish with age. For example, if the vet sits on your Chihuahua or misplaces the thermometer whilst taking its temperature, your confidence level might plummet. The same could be said for an overcautious vet. Avoid any animal practitioner who approaches your Siamese cat decked out in full hockey gear, including the mask and stick.

Nevertheless, a vet with a sense of humor can be reassuring to pet owners. Perhaps the vet has a fire hydrant installed in the restroom adjacent to the toilet bowl, or has directed the staff to provide Animal Crackers for pet owners to nibble on in the waiting rooms. These suggest a veterinarian with a witty and fun personality. But if your vet giggles uncontrollably for ten minutes after he suggests performing “lab tests” on your Labrador, you may not feel comfortable with this individual.

Possibly the best way to judge a vet’s overall ability is to observe his reaction to a non-traditional pet.

Suppose you present your veterinarian with a cage containing a cute bunny rabbit munching on some celery and a couple of carrots. It would certainly not be inappropriate for you and your pet to flee, should he even casually remark that it “looks like the ingredients for a hearty casserole.”

Armed with these guidelines, selecting a veterinarian should be a walk in the park.

Nick Thomas has written features for over 150 magazines and newspapers, including the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and Christian Science Monitor.