When it comes to your pet, you’re the expert. You know your pet’s personality and habits, preferences, and more. Still, visiting a veterinarian is important, especially if there’s a pet health emergency and you need to find “a vet open near me.” Fortunately, there may be a 24 hour animal hospital nearby that can handle your vet emergency right away.
Finding a veterinary clinic can be a bit intimidating. You’ll want the best for your pet, and that means finding a skilled veterinarian who cares about your dog, cat, iguana, or whatever other pet you have. In the long run, this means finding a veterinary clinic you can rely on day in and day out. The breed and species matter too. Some vets are better at treating pocket pets, such as a rabbit. Others are better at treating dogs and cats. Finding the right animal hospital care for your specific pet is a priority.
Looking for a vet open near me? This means doing research, looking at a few veterinary clinics, and talking with vets about your specific animal. It’s best to start before there is a pet emergency, so you know who to turn to when an emergency does arise.
Whether you have a fish, an iguana, dog, or horse, no one knows your pet better than you do, so if something is wrong with your pet or if you just have that gut feeling something isn’t right, you’ll need to take your pet to a veterinary care center to find out what the problem is.
Importance of veterinarian visits: Frequent vet visits can drastically reduce the chances of having a major health scare in your pet down the road that could end up being very costly. Dogs and cats under the age of 10 should see a vet once a year, while those 10 and older should see a vet every six months.
Finding a vet: One of the first veterinarian questions people ask is where can one find a vet. It isn’t too hard to find a veterinary care center in any city or town; nearly 75% of vets in the U.S. are employed in a private practice and will usually advertise their services in newspapers, the Yellow Pages, or TV or radio ads.
Instead of seeking emergency vet care every time your pet needs vet assistance, it is best to find a clinic that you can frequently take your pet to. Visit a few clinics in the area and talk to the veterinarian technician on hand about any advanced technology they use, what type of surgeries they offer, and what kind of animals they will treat.
Asking the clinic about health care is also a popular inquiry on the long list of veterinarian questions. Health care for animals is crucial for those who have a lower income and cannot afford expensive medical treatments. You may opt out of health care for your pet when they are younger, but once your pet gets older and has more health complications, it could be a good thing to invest in.
Once you’ve found a great vet in your area, it is up to you to make your pet visit go a bit smoother.
Five tips for a better pet visit:
- Familiarize your pet to it’s leash or carrier and to traveling in a car. Entice them with treats and give words of encouragement.
- When asking your veterinarian questions regarding payments, ask them if they have your pet’s medical records on file. If not, bring them with you or fax them over before the trip.
- If this is your first time at the clinic, you should arrive a few minutes early to fill out necessary paperwork and to get your pet accustomed to the new environment.
- Know the medications your pet is taking, list any allergies and what previous surgeries or procedures they’ve had — if any.
- Always share any concerns you have in your pet with the vet. List differences in behavior as well, as these can tip off a vet that something is wrong.
After the visit, be sure to follow all of your vet’s recommendations to getting your pet back to optimal health. Helpful links: www.guilfordjamestownvet.com