The Healthy Pet Blog

Posted on: 7 August 2016

Now that you've decided to bring a new puppy into your household, it's important to find a reliable veterinarian to care for him as he ages. It's a good idea to schedule consultations with a few potential caregivers before choosing which one to work with long-term. Here are a few things to consider when comparing veterinarians and deciding who is likely to provide you and your dog with top-notch service:

Flea Management Options

Once an infestation develops on your dog, it can be tough to get rid of, so flea control throughout the year should be a major consideration when consulting with potential veterinarians. While you can expect every veterinarian to carry a variety of flea treatment options, but they likely won't all offer access to the same ones. It's a good idea to ask each veterinarian you speak with to provide you with a complete list of flea protocols and treatment options that their facility offers, as well as any home remedies they recommend and support. Then you can compare your gathered lists side-by-side to determine which service provider is likely to fulfill your flea management needs and preferences as time goes on.

After-Hour Services

Some veterinarians don't offer after-hour or emergency services at all and others may provide services for specific injuries and illnesses that are considered an emergency. But choosing a facility that offers no after-hours services at all will increase your chance of having to find a second caregiver during an emergency, which probably won't be convenient.

To save yourself some time and to ensure that the person taking care of your dog in an emergency knows their health history, it's important to find a veterinarian to work with that offers not only emergency services but also after-hours services by appointment. You'll be able to get care for your dog any time of the day or night that serious illness or injury occurs, as well as more easily make appointments for checkups and vaccinations around your work and personal schedule.

Additional Resources and Support

There may become a time in the future when you'll need to expand healthcare services for your dog and enlist the help of cancer specialists, behavioral experts, or physical therapists due to a serious accident or ailment. You should find that some of the veterinarians you talk to have ongoing relationships with other service providers in the industry and can provide you with special offers, discounts, and various perks for utilizing their services. During each consultation with potential veterinarians, ask them to provide you with a portfolio of service providers and product distributors that you'll be able to tap into as a patient of theirs.

By making these considerations during your initial consultations, it should be easy to determine which service provider is likely to fit your needs. For more information, consider contacting companies like Pitts Veterinary Hospital PC.