Pet Veterinarian Clinic
Today's pets are living longer, healthier lives thanks to the high quality veterinary medical services and pet-owners' careful monitoring of their animals for early signs of illness. When choosing your family's veterinarian, use the same care and criteria that you would in selecting a doctor for you or your children. Think about what is important to you. Your goal should be to find the veterinarian who you believe can best meet your pet's medical needs and with whom you feel comfortable in establishing a long-term relationship. The veterinarian you select will want to maintain an ongoing history of your pet, including health records that detail vaccines, medication reactions and surgical procedures. He or she will also advise you on the best preventative care program available to maintain your pet's health.
Where to Look A referral from a friend or neighbor Animal-owning friends are a good place to start. Ask them why they chose their veterinarian. If you believe their expectations of service are similar to yours, you may want to schedule a visit to the facility. Yellow Pages/Internet Turn to the business pages of a phone book or yellow pages for contact information on local veterinarians. Also check the Internet for listings of veterinary Web sites. Your Current Veterinarian If you are relocating to another city, province or state, ask your current veterinarian if he or she can recommend a practice where you will be living. When to Look Start thinking about selecting a veterinarian before acquiring a new pet. A veterinarian can assist you in selecting a pet that will fit into your lifestyle. Find a veterinarian before your pet actually needs one. Don't wait until your pet becomes ill or requires emergency care. It is best to have secured a doctor's name and number and become acquainted with the practice and staff in advance of such situations.
What to Look For Office Hours * What are the regular hours? - Do they offer evening or weekend appointments? * Who covers the practice when the doctor is unavailable? * What is the average wait time? Professional Staff * How are telephone calls handled? * Can you request an appointment with a specific veterinarian? * Does the staff dress and act professionally? * Do you feel comfortable talking with the doctor? The technician? Fees and Payment * What methods of payment are accepted? * Does the hospital treat patients of clients that have pet insurance? Services * What is the range of medical services that the practice provides? * Does the hospital have educational materials for pet-owners on a variety of topics? * If necessary, does the veterinarian have a network of specialists for referrals? Facility * Is the building environment clean and orderly? * Are there any unpleasant odors? * Can you take a tour of the non-public areas? Emergency Care * How are emergency calls handled during regular office hours and after office hours? * Is there an emergency facility in your area should you need it? Professional Affiliations * Are the doctors members of a professional veterinary association such as the Canadian or American Veterinary Medical Association ? * What is the hospital policy regarding continuing education for the professional staff? WAITING ROOM
When you first arrive at pet veterinarian clinic, expected to be greeted by a friendly receptionists often a hospital cat. Expect above average customer service and a warm and caring environment. Expect that detailed questions to be asked about your pet's past history, including any past vaccine or drug reactions.
EXAM ROOM
Regular wellness exams give your veterinarian the chance to evaluate your pet's overall health and to detect problems before they turn into serious illnesses. Because your pet can't tell you in words how he is feeling, the veterinarian must rely on a thorough physical examination and your observations of your pet in order to determine if your pet is truly healthy. Based on the results of the examination, your veterinarian may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as radiographs (x-rays) and blood tests. As part of the wellness examinations, routine blood testing, urinalysis, and other tests are generally recommended for all pets that are considered to be in their "senior years." Some veterinarians recommend routine blood work and urinalysis before that time in order to obtain baseline values, which they can use for comparison later in your pet's life. Because your pet ages more quickly than you do, it is essential that you take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year and even more frequently as your pet gets older. Taking your pet to the veterinarian once a year is the same as if you were to see a physician for a physical exam only once every six to eight years. Because so much can change with regard to your pet's physical health in such a short amount of time, you can't afford to have your pet miss even one exam. Just like people, pets need more frequent attention as they get older to prevent and treat illnesses associated with old age. Cats and dogs should visit the veterinarian for a wellness exam once a year and then every six months when they reach the senior years. Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate examination schedule for your pet, depending on his or her age and health. Your veterinarian will ask several questions about your pet's health history. Be sure to mention any unusual behavior. Some examples are: Excessive urination Excessive drinking of water Excessive panting Eating much more than usual Vomiting Diarrhea Excessive scratching Coughing Weight gain Weight loss Notes will be made on your pet's diet, on how much water your pet consumes, and on a variety of daily behavioral patterns. Other questions you can expect about your pet's health are: Does your pet have trouble getting up in the morning? Does your pet show any signs of weakness? Does your pet have exercise intolerance? Your veterinarian will also discuss your pet's exposure to fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites at some point during the exam. The protocol your veterinarian will recommend depends on where you live, your pet's lifestyle and age, and many other factors. Your veterinarian, a technician, or an assistant will note your pet's temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and body weight. Weight loss since your pet's last exam could indicate the early stages of a metabolic disease, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Weight is an important consideration in the health of a pet, because an extra two or three pounds can mean the difference between your pet being fit and trim or obese. Talk to your veterinarian about appropriate diet and exercise for your pet. You'll probably be asked if your dog or cat has been shaking his head or scratching at his ears and if you have noticed any odor coming from the ears. Your pet's deep, curved ear canals provide protection for the inner ear, but these canals also are a snug home for parasites and foreign objects. Your veterinarian will take a close look to make sure nothing appears out of the ordinary. Many conditions, such as anemia, infections, glaucoma, cataracts, high blood pressure, jaundice, kidney problems, and allergies, are often discovered through eye examinations. A cat's past and present nutritional status can be assessed by examining the eyes. Injuries and ulcers of the eye also can be detected during examination. Your veterinarian may observe the inner structures of the eyes as well as their outward appearance. Your veterinarian will check your pet's gums, teeth, tongue, and palate for tartar buildup, dental abnormalities, fractures, loose teeth, tumors, infections, and other problems. For example, a lack of red or pink color in the lining of the lips and gums could indicate anemia. You will learn how to care for your pet's teeth to prevent periodontal disease, which can cause bad breath and tooth loss. Your veterinarian will use a stethoscope to listen to your pet's heart and lungs. The early signs of heart disease are often recognized during a routine health exam. Your pet's reproductive system will be examined for swellings, discharges, and breast lumps. If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, your veterinarian will explain that spaying or neutering provides many health benefits beyond birth control. The skin is the body's largest organ and a good indicator of your pet's health. Your veterinarian will examine the condition of the skin and hair as a means of detecting allergies, infections, warts, and tumors. The veterinarian will also check for fleas, ticks, other external parasites, tumors, and wounds while examining the skin. Your veterinarian will feel the abdomen to detect irregularities such as enlarged organs, masses, or areas that are painful. Problems with the stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver, and other organs may be detected at this stage. The legs and feet of your pet will be checked. The condition of joints, muscles, lymph nodes, and nose also will be noted. If any abnormalities are found during your pet's examination, your veterinarian may recommend additional tests to diagnose or confirm a health problem. Do not underestimate the importance of your pet's regular wellness examination. Taking your pet to the veterinarian once a year or more means you are helping your pet live a longer and healthier life. Do your part to take care of your friend and companion! DIAGNOSTICS Your veterinarian should have expertise in the application of advanced diagnostics including: X-ray, Automatic Processor
Ultra Sound Machine Dental X-ray Surgical suction unit EKG Pulse Oximeter On site Lab: Blood work, Fecal analysis, Cytology
Complete Dental Services, Ultrasonic teeth cleaning and High speed hand piece Doppler ( measures Blood Pressure)
Expect that your veterinarian subscribes to a on-line veterinary service giving them access to hundreds of specialists, as well as the ability to send x-rays to a specialist using a digital camera. SURGERY
Expect a modern veterinary facility with the latest in technology and research ensuring unparalled medical care 24hours a day. They will perform routine surgery, spay and neuter, to more advanced orthopedic surgery. The veterinary clinic should have the safest available anaesthesia, isoflurane, and extensive monitoring equipment used experienced animal health technologists. Most practices offer IV Fluids with surgery, which maintains blood pressure, offers immediate access in case of emergency and healps your pet recover from surgery faster by meatbolizing the anesthetic. The clinic should offer Pre-surgical blood work prior to surgery to screen for any organ abnormalities, such as liver or kidney problems, which would cause them to delay surgery or alter the anesthetic regimen.
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