If you’re fortunate enough to have a new pet enter your life one of the first things you will want to do is find the best veterinarian that you can. There are a number of issues that need to be taken into account such as the services that the vet offers, the types of pets the vet deals with, the distance the office is away from your home, etc. When you chose the vet that you will entrust your pet’s well-being to, take the same time and care that you would if you were choosing a doctor for yourself or a family member.
Not all vets deal with all pets. The majority of pets fall into the “small animal” category; dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and the like. If your choice of pet leans in the direction of more exotic animals such as lizards or birds you may have to find specialist. The same is true for large animals; horses, cows, sheep and the like will take the unique skills of a large animal veterinarian.
For many pet owners the time it takes to reach the veterinarians clinic is quite important. Many animals do not travel well and not everyone has access to their own vehicles and may rely on public transport, for these reasons having a vet that is reasonably close to home is crucial. The hours of operation are also important, not everyone has the luxury of taking time from their work to visit the vet’s office.
A typical veterinarian offers a wide variety of animal health services, there may be some which are more important to you than others. Perhaps you travel periodically and boarding is important. To some pet owners knowing that their veterinarian is available in an emergency situation is extremely important, if your particular vet is not available at all times and constant access is important then look for a vet that either pools services with other clinics or has a vet that is on-call.
It is always a good idea to ask around; chances are you have a neighbor, friend or family member that has a pet similar to yours. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, if the vet they use gives satisfactory service then chances are they will do the same for you and your pet. When you reach the point where you have a short-list of possible candidates, arrange a “well-pet” appointment, this gives you a chance to know the veterinarian, the clinic staff and the opportunity to have a look at the facilities they offer.
If you are looking for a veterinarian in Newport Beach CA or the surrounding area you are invited to make an appointment with LIDO Animal Hospital. You can also visit their Google+ page for more information.
