One of the first few things that a new pet owner looks for is a vet. If you have new puppies or kittens, you need a vet to complete your pet’s shots. Also you also just need to know what vet you can go to or because it’s an essential aspect in taking care of the health of your beloved pet. There is also a chance that there are multiple vets in your city so it’s nice to know what vet is the best or is right for you so you know where to go. When looking for a vet, you can ask your friends or family that have pets and that of course, live near you for recommendations. You can also check online because vet clinics usually make their presence known on social media for advertising purposes. For marketing strategies and veterinary marketing ideas more info check out iMatrix.
Another tip when looking for a vet clinic, is to make sure that the attending veterinarian is an expert on what pet you have. There are different types of veterinarians and each type specializes in working with different types of animals. And of course, you also want your veterinarian to be a licensed practitioner.
Cost and location are also 2 of the most important factors when looking for a go-to pet clinic. You want their services to be within your means and you also don’t want to go too far for practicality and emergency purposes.
It should also be mentioned that you have to look for a vet clinic that is clean. Have a look around their facility when you visit. Also inquire about their approach to pets and medicine. It is possible that some vets have different approaches to pets and medication. Have a brief discussion with the staff or the vet if possible. Ask about their background and experiences. Doing all this will make you feel comfortable and you can also build trust with the clinic. There are times that when pets get sick you have to leave them with the clinic and you want to leave your pet with them with peace of mind knowing that they’ll take care of your pet the way you want them to.
Now that you know what to look for in a vet, it’s time to learn about the things that you have to do before visiting the clinic. In this article, we will talk about what you have to do before, during, and after your visit to the vet. We will also talk about how often you should bring your pet to the vet.
Before an appointment, you will need all the basic information about your pet. Such as, name, medication (if any), the kind of food they eat, how much you feed them and how frequent, your pet’s eating and drinking habits, their toilet habits, any tick or mite signs, and symptoms, past medical records, and vaccine history. You can list this all down so that you don’t forget. This is all for in case the vet asks you.
Things that you have to prepare really depend on the purpose of your visit. So what you can do to be really prepared is to call ahead and ask. For example, there are cases where a stool sample is needed, it is best if you have already brought it before going to the vet. There are also instances where some health tests would require pets to fast beforehand. It is always ideal to be prepared and ready for anything. Most of the time pets find it anxiety-inducing to go to the vet so you want your trip to the vet to count. You don’t want to be going back and forth.
It is also important that you make sure that your pet is calm or at least comfortable When going to the vet. What you can do is bring their favorite toy or blanket and if your pet isn’t required to fast for any tests you may also bring some treats.
Bring your pets in crates or carriers. They might freak out with the presence of other animals so you want them safe in their own personal space to keep them calm and comfortable. For bigger pets such as big dogs, they should at least be on a leash.
Also be informed when to bring your pets to a clinic. Here are some situations that usually call for an emergency trip to the vet clinic or hospital.
- Difficulty breathing breathing
- Sudden paralysis. This is when your pet can’t move all or a part of their body
- Seizures or unconsciousness
- Non stop vomiting for a whole day or more
- Trauma, like being hit by a car or another heavy object
- Bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth
- Blood in their poop
- A possible broken bone
- Your pet has gotten into chemicals like household cleaners, antifreeze, paint, makeup, etc.
Also monitor the changes in habits of your pet. Any weird or unusual thing shouldn’t be ignored.
After the visit from the pet hospital or vet clinic, take down the date and time of needed follow up check ups. Put it in your calendar if there are any. Take note of any advice or suggestions the veterinarian gives you. Remember or list down any medication that you have to give your pet. Observe your pet’s health condition. Is your pet better or is he or she still exhibiting symptoms from hir or her sickness?
All in all, we just want what’s best for our beloved pets. These tips may already be known by long time pet owners but to new pet owners this is important information to really remember. There is so much to learn when taking care of pets and a visit to the vet can help you! Never be afraid to ask as they are very knowledgeable in what they do. Hope you have learned a thing or two from this article. Keep your pet healthy by being a knowledgeable pet owner!
