Finding the right veterinary hospital for your pet is an important step in ensuring the long-term health of your four-legged family member. Getting personal referrals, reading online reviews and even visiting clinics without your pet can help you find the right veterinarian for your family. Remember that many vets specialize in certain types of pets, such as dogs, cats and exotic animals.
Ask Around
When looking for the right vet for your pet, asking friends and family is always a great place to start. If they have had a good experience at one vet hospital or another, they’ll likely be happy to share their opinion and recommendations with you. A veterinary hospital in Claryville, Kentucky varies greatly from small rural mixed-animal practices to state-of-the-art referral centers. Practice philosophies, staff experience and motivation, facility cleanliness, and medical equipment can differ between vet hospitals.
It’s also important to know what services each veterinary clinic offers and whether they have an in-house emergency service or a list of veterinary specialists they can refer you to for your pet’s care. You’ll want to ensure the vet you choose can perform standard lab tests, X-rays and surgical procedures and handle more specialized medical needs. Be sure to ask about their pricing and payment options since veterinary bills can often be quite expensive, and it is best to plan for these unforeseen expenses.
Check Online Reviews
For many pet owners, finding the right veterinarian is an important decision. They will likely do their due diligence, including online reviews and clinic comparisons. In addition to asking friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations, they will probably check out online reviews and comparison sites.
Depending on the quality of service, a veterinary hospital’s online reviews can significantly impact new clients. This is why having a strong online reputation and using tools to encourage client feedback is essential. One easy way to do this is by providing a QR code that clients can scan with their phone to be instantly redirected to your reviews page. This saves them time and makes sharing their experience with your veterinary clinic more convenient. The more positive feedback you receive, the more confidence pet parents will have in your services.
Get a Second Opinion
Finding the right veterinarian for your pet can be one of your most important decisions. It’s important to trust your gut instinct when it comes to veterinary hospitals, and if you feel like something is off, it may be time to find another clinic. Take the time to tour a few of your options. Behind the scenes will give you an idea of how the facility is maintained and operated and how well the staff treats pets.
You’ll also want to choose a clinic close enough to get to in an emergency, which can save lives. It’s also worth considering whether the American Animal Hospital Association accredits a veterinary hospital. While this isn’t a definitive quality marker, it demonstrates a commitment to high standards. AAHA-accredited clinics regularly pass onsite evaluations on patient care and pain management, surgery, facilities, medical records, and more.
Schedule a Visit
Choosing between clinics and hospitals will depend on the type of service you seek. Clinics are typically smaller, and veterinarians spend shorter sessions with each pet. In contrast, hospitals have more space and equipment for longer visits and more in-depth diagnostic tests. You will also want to compare costs between the hospitals you are considering. Find out their fees for different services and what payment types are accepted.
Ensure you get a clear and transparent explanation of each cost, and avoid deals that sound too good to be true. Another thing to consider is whether the AAHA accredits the facility. This is important because it means that the hospital has passed onsite evaluations and meets certain high standards of patient care, staff, cleanliness and facilities. It also demonstrates the practice’s commitment to ongoing improvement. This is important because veterinary medicine is a constantly evolving field.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.