Comments on: How to Choose the Right Vet for Your Pet

By: Book review: Pampered Pets On A Budget by Jeffrey L. Barnes and Kristen M. Levine | The Conscious Cat

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:01:35 +0000

[...] I was curious about this book. Advising people to save on pet care expenses can backfire. Recommendations on how to save on veterinary costs published in a 2003 Consumer Reports article essentially stated that you should price shop for veterinary care. While price is certainly one consideration, it shouldn’t be the only one, and it should most definitely not be the most important one when choosing your pet’s family doctor. [...]

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:49:07 +0000

Rita, vet clinics at veterinary schools are very much like human teaching hospitals: you get cutting edge care for your pet from veterinary interns and students under the supervision of an attending veterinarian. I don’t think there’s much of a difference in cost compared to regular clinics, and frequently, veterinary school hospitals are considered referral practices and as such, can be more expensive.

By: Rita

Rita — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:32:04 +0000

What about a vet clinic associated with a veterinary school? Are they usually more affordable and how is the quality?

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:39:14 +0000

Esme, I’m glad your happy with your new vet.

Leslie, I drive fifteen miles to the cat vet I use even though there are at least twenty clinics within a five mile radius of my home, so I can understand that you’d travel further to a vet you love even though it’s more inconvenient logistically.

By: Leslie Kaufman

Leslie Kaufman — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:16:49 +0000

Thanks, Ingrid. Choosing the right vet for your babies is so important. Although I live in one area of NYC, I choose to go to a vet in another area and most people think I am nuts but my choice is that important to me. And being that I own a pet sitting business servicing cat people only, I agree to make sure that your vet is cat friendly as felines have such special needs and really dread going to the vet. Another point that you made is also important – my vet’s staff are wonderful and it makes a world of difference!

By: Esme

Esme — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:03:50 +0000

This is a great article-Given that my second kitty has asthma I took her to a feline only vet as we have talked about and I am so happy with their communication and follow up.

As always -very helpful information.

By: Elizabeth Spann Craig

Elizabeth Spann Craig — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:55:33 +0000

Thanks so much again, for the great tips! We made a vet change in the last year or so and I wish I’d had your checklist then.

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:10:38 +0000

Marg, it sounds like you have a great vet. I like that they’re sensitive to your financial situation, too. Most multi-doctor practices will let you request a particular vet.

Mason, that’s great that you have two vets in your town that you trust.

Daniela, it sounds like your vet definitely goes above and beyond – that’s always a good sign.

Bernadette, that’s a good point about not just using your vet for emergencies. Annual (or bi-annual, depending on the age of the pet) check ups are important for the pet, and in addition to allowing you to build a relationship with your vet, they also help provide continuity of care for your pet.

Layla, I’m a huge proponent of housecall vets, especially for cats. To me, making every interaction at a vet’s office as peaceful as possible for pet and owner is key.

By: Layla Morgan Wilde

Layla Morgan Wilde — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:55:00 +0000

I’d like add how wonderful mobile vets are who provide home visits. I definitely agree with feline specialists. The vet we used before finding our mobile vet while highly reputable and expensive was run like a factory with several vets and a large waiting room full of dogs. They wouldn’t even allow the pet parents inside the consulting room for some procedures! The importance of peaceful one-on-one interaction is not to be underestimated.

By: animalartist

animalartist — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:11:12 +0000

Excellent article! You really hit all the points people need to consider. The most important issue for me is for the veterinarian to recognize me as the primary caregiver of my cats and respect my experience without getting their hackles up, and also recognize that I want and need to learn new things, so treatment is a cooperative effort.

It’s also important to stress that people need to visit their vet for annual checkups and not just keep them in the book for emergencies. You need to develop a relationship.

By: Daniela Caride

Daniela Caride — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:22:28 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful post, Ingrid. I’m quite happy with my vet because they have been very good at listening to us, understanding our needs. Also, they have taken us in for an emergency with my Berner Frieda, even though they don’t have an emergency ward. The best – they didn’t even charge us. Here’s the story: http://www.thedailytail.com/nonfiction/ice/