How to choose a vet?

Hi guys...

I need a bit of advice when it comes to choosing a vet for Maxwell. I'm not sure how to go about picking a vet when he is ready to leave Mum. There are a couple of vets nearby with good reputations, who are all within a few minutes drive, but I'm not sure how to screen them.

When I had pet rats, I had to be careful about choosing a vet who dealt with "exotics", and I had a pre-prepared list of questions re certain treatments/drugs that are particular to rats to ask potential vets.

Is there anything like this is should be asking a potential dog vet? The only things I could think of were:
Cost of puppy injections
Cost of castration
Costs of a check up

Are there any other factors I should be considering before I start calling local vets?

Cheers

Shelley
x

I ask if they have any experience of the breed xx

I recommend the new vets me and Teagan go to, but it may be too far for you to travel? - But not far from Marks work!
The 2 'main' vets there specialise in large breeds.

Hi IsoChick The best way to choose a vet is to go and meet him yes word of mouth can play an important part in your initial choice but you need to meet the vet in order to decide if he is the one for you..
..do you feel comfortable talking to him,
..do you feel you can trust him and have confidence in his abilities,
..does he take the time to explain things/answer questions you may have clearly, to me these things matter more than the cost.
..I don't think it is very important whether the vet has treated 'you breed' or not, the physical anatomy of all breeds is pretty much the same the main consideration is that you trust and have confidence in your vet.

The best time to talk to a vet is when your dog is not ill for instance when you go for the initial vaccination with a puppy...you can ask things like vaccinations / does he use the three year programme and what is his opinion on the frequency of boosters/worming ....and spaying ....that will give you chance to weigh him up

i agree with what mini says and go with your gut instinct

I always ask about out of hours vets, my last one when she shut her doors we had to travel to the other side of Bristol if any of my girls needed emergency vet.

Ask about consultation fees, if it's an ongoing problem does each consultation cost the same.

Surgery hours and if it's an appointment only surgery.

first go on recommedation, if you can , go along and meet the vet, some practices have more than 1 vet, so if you find one you like stick with that vet( the practice i use have 6 vets , but I will only go to 2 of them)...........

Second, make sure your vet knows the breed, and also if it is a big dog i.e rottti, Boxer, GSD..........this may sound daft, but make sure your vet is comfortable ( not scared) of them, there is 1 vet at my practice, that is terified of anything over the size od a Springer

Third your vet MUST be a good listener, and not take the attittude of " I am the vet, and I know best" there are alot of them out there......... nobody knows your dogs like you do, and a good vet shold be able to listen to what you have to say, then act on it...........

Also, your dog needs to be comfortable with your chosen vet.

Enjoy your new pup

I agree with Jackbox, as I decided to change vets after a while because he never listened to what you had to say. Very annoying!! He always just mumbled all the time and wouldn't let you say much.

Now I go to a different practice and they are all really great there - no compliants any more!