Finding a great vet to take care of your labrador’s veterinary needs is one of the most important things for a lab owner to do. Going to a vet can be a stressful time for your dog, but it doesn’t always need to be that way. Knowing what to look for in a vet and finding ways to get them used to the experience can help make the uncomfortable, more comfortable.
In this helpful guide, we’ll walk you through:
- Choosing a vet that’s the right fit for you and your dog
- What to look for in a vet clinic
- How to get your dog comfortable with the experience
Remember, the best time to find a vet for your dog is before you need one. Taking the time early can make a world of a difference when your dog needs medical attention.
Table of Contents
How to Find Recommendations for a Vet
The simplest way to find a vet you might like is through word of mouth referrals. Being able to ask your friends or family honest questions about the level of care that your dog may get will give you a good sense of the actual experience.
Look for a vet that specializes in your breed of dog, or at a minimum specializes in dog care. Try searching on Google in your area to look for reviews in clinics that are near you.
You can also speak with the local animal shelter or your breeder for specific recommendations. Chances are that both work with a specific vet for their own care needs and will be able to give excellent recommendations!
What To Look for in a Veterinarian
If you’ve followed the steps above, you probably have a short list of names. Now it’s time to see which one you’ll land with. Think of this process as interviewing some candidates. While that may seem a bit far-fetched, remember that this will be the person providing key levels of medical care for a valued member of your family!
At this point, reaching out to the clinic either by phone or email can be very telling. A clinic that refuses to answer some of the questions below can be immediately eliminated. Doing these interviews will give you a good sense of the clinic’s style, promptness, and professionalism.
Experience with Labradors (or your breed of dog)
Critically, you’ll want a vet who knows your specific breed of dog and their common health issues. At a minimum, your vet should understand dogs and be comfortable with them. While this may seem like a no-brainer, this isn’t always the case!
Clinic Proximity
How close is the clinic to your home? Is it with walking distance or will you need to drive? Does the clinic offer ample parking? Some of these questions you’ll have answered through your Google searches – other’s you’ll need the clinic to answer.
Remember, when you need to take your dog to the vet, you don’t want to deal with the stressors of finding parking. Knowing the situation and knowing if it works for you can make a huge difference!
Hours of Care
Take a look at the office’s hours: do they work with your general schedule? Will you always have to take time off work, or can you go during evenings and weekends? This is something that you’ll be able to find from your earlier search, but it’s a good thing to clarify with your potential vet.
One thing you’ll want to ask about is the availability of 24-hour care. Does the clinic offer 24-hour care? If not, can they recommend an emergency clinic that does? Often these recommendations will go a long way in delivering true continuity of care between clinics.
Availability of Equipment
The availability of the clinic’s equipment is important. This can prevent you from having to go to another clinic for specialized services. This is something that you may not be able to find on the website. Ask your potential vet what types of equipment they have available. Some of the key ones to cover off include:
- X-rays and ultrasound machines
- Blood work
- Sedation
Knowing that these types of equipment and services are available can make a huge difference! You won’t want to (and your dog certainly won’t either) go to another clinic during a moment of injury or illness.
Your Budget
Understanding the fees that the clinic charges can have a direct impact on when you’ll be able to take your dog to the clinic, financially. Ask the clinic about any additional fees they may charge, such as initial consultation fees.
Let the clinic know what your budget is. Being frank about these conversations may feel uncomfortable, but it can make a huge difference should you ever need high levels of care.
The Staff’s Personalities
When you do go in to visit the clinic, you can gauge how the staff interact with other pet owners. Try and get a sense of professionalism, but also an ability to put the pet’s (and the owners) at ease.
By doing this, you’ll get a sense of whether people are simply being rushed out or not. At this point, find an experience that works for you (and for what you want for your dog). Think of how you like being treated at a doctor’s office: do you want to be rushed through the process, or do you want someone who listens to you?
Conclusion
Choosing a vet is an important step in ensuring your dog has a happy and health life. Finding a vet can be a daunting experience. This in-depth guide provided you with the tools you need to find a vet that meets your needs.
You learned how to evaluate a vet’s clinic by looking at:
- Experience with dogs,
- Proximity and hours of care,
- Availability of services and equipment,
- Personalities and professionalism, and
- The fees of services
Remember, choosing a good vet is important! It’s similar to choosing a good doctor for your own health.
Disclaimer
All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional.
LivingWithALab.com assumes no responsibility or liability for the use or misuse of what’s written on this site. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioural related issue.
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