Whether you’ve recently moved to the area or are just starting your pet parenting journey, finding a vet who fits your family is hugely important! While it can be tempting to put off hunting for the right vet, getting started right away will help you and your pup develop a relationship with your vet. Building that relationship can be key to getting quick and successful treatment should your puppy need emergency care someday! But with so many veterinary practices in the area, how can you know which to choose?
Seek Vet Recommendations
If you are near our location, our staff at Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies would be delighted to recommend vets we love! If we don’t know of a specific vet near your home, utilize other resources in your neighborhood. Next time you’re out on your daily walks, take the time to ask other dog walkers about their experiences with vets in the area. Reach out to your family and friends who are pet owners – have they heard anything about an amazing vet in your area? Is their own vet taking new clients? Even asking at your pet supplies store can yield good results.
Once you have a clinic in mind, call them and ask to schedule an initial exam for your pup. This will give
you the opportunity to explain your pet’s health history and observe the vet interacting with your pup.
As with any medical professional, it is essential that you trust your pup’s veterinarian and share similar
expectations of care and medical outlooks. If you are strongly inclined toward a holistic approach to
health and you find that the clinic is largely focused on treating symptoms primarily, it may not be the
right clinic for you.
Evaluate the Vet Clinic
Once you have a clinic in mind, make an initial call and ask for more information about how their clinic
operates.
- Do they have any evening or weekend appointments? Do they save appointment slots for
- emergency cases?
- Are they available for emergencies after hours, or can they recommend a 24-hour
- emergency clinic nearby?
- How many veterinarians work at this location?
- Would you see the same vet at each visit?
Assuming you are satisfied with the answers to your questions, it’s time to book an initial
appointment!
When you arrive for your initial visit, take a few notes – is the parking lot extremely busy? Does the clinic
have a split waiting room so that dogs and cats are separated? Are there any grassy areas near the clinic
where your dog can have a quick bathroom break before or after the appointment? Ask other clients in
the waiting area about their experiences. Is the clinic usually on time for appointments? What do they
think of the vet? How long have they used this practice?
During First Vet Appointment
Ask questions! Curiosity is one of your greatest assets when looking for a vet. Find out about their
qualifications, do a search online for both the veterinarian and the clinic, and inquire about the total cost before beginning treatments. Every clinic runs its practice a bit differently, but one thing remains the same. You are the advocate and protector of your pet, so you want to make sure both you and your pup feel comfortable at the clinic.
A Long-term Relationship
Once you’ve settled on the right clinic, you’ll probably remain a client for many years. This should be a
journey of trust as your puppy matures into a dog and late into a senior. By choosing a veterinarian
who is professional and caring, you’ll be setting your dog up for a lifetime of health and quality care.
Choosing a vet can be a challenge, so do remember that if you are uncomfortable with a veterinarian or
if the practice changes over time, you can absolutely make a change to a new clinic. These decisions are
important, so if you find that your initial choice was not the best fit, you can always seek a different option for your pup!
If you are looking for a veterinarian in your area, contact us at Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies. We have
worked with many vets in the region and would be delighted to offer our input on clinics that could be
the perfect fit for your family!
