It’s difficult to know how often medical errors occur in pets- and when they do, it’s devastating to both pets and their owners. Unfortunately, most pet owners of injured animals say that many state veterinary boards dismiss a large proportion of the complaints they raise – without any action or a way to recover damages for emotional loss.
In addition, despite the growing advancement in veterinary technology, doctors, and specialists, the number of complaints against veterinarians in the industry seems to be increasing.
But industry advocates and vets themselves say that the bottom line for these problems comes with the wrong choice of veterinary doctor or clinic, which is not able to meet the demand and expectations of the pet owner, and in general, the highest standards and quality of veterinary care.
So how do you choose the best vet doctor for your pet? What do you look for? And how to narrow down the best choices? This article will list critical factors you must consider when choosing an animal doctor for your pet.
Check Credentials
Qualifications are a key factor that makes the best vets stand out. Most of the time, you can check the education, qualifications, credentials, and training background on the website of the vet clinic they work at. If not, just inquire about them through a call or an online inquiry.
Many local non-profit organizations and other veterinary boards sometimes have a list of accredited clinics in a given region. Try to pick a clinic located conveniently to you and browse through their doctor’s list and their credentials. Then choose who you think has the most relevant qualification or specialization you expect for your pet and its health conditions.
In general, it is also advisable to go for a vet specialist when you can, as they are likely to have spent 2-4 years studying a specialized field like vet care for cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, or other exotic animals.
Ask Around
Word-Of-Mouth is a powerful and reliable marketing tool. It is often more accurate than online reviews or review sites. If you have a friend or relative who loves their pet as much as you do, ask them for recommendations. These referrals can be way more reliable if they share the same standards for pet care as you. You can also check with local breeders or any other vet speciality group forums online and ask for suggestions. This way, you’ll get to ask the most essential questions answered instead of scrolling through what’s important to others.
Understand Treatment Philosophies
Discussing sensitive topics in pet health with a vet can give you a clear idea of what you can expect from them. Some of them include understanding the treatment philosophies in areas like cancer, spaying and neutering, supporting senior pets, euthanasia, and chronic disease planning.
Understand if they believe in prescribing holistic or alternative treatments when appropriate and if they emphasize preventive care. Having like-minded philosophies with your vet can make all the difference when faced with difficult decisions regarding your pet’s health and well-being.
Prioritize Experience
Having a busy doctor or one where you can’t find a seat when you get to the clinic is a good sign that a vet can offer more than what you expect. Never be put off by a busy, hectic, or a fast paced-waiting area. As the general rule states, high demand usually means a product or service works for most consumers. This can also mean that the vet is famous and experienced and delivers sustainable outcomes to pet owners, which keeps them coming back.
While following these steps, understand that the best vet will ideally be someone who can thoroughly meet your pet’s medical needs and with whom you can comfortably establish a long-term veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
If you’re hunting for the best vet in Dubai with reliable experience in the industry, head over to Modern Vet. They have been a household name for several pet owners in the UAE since 1995 and have a team of specialized vets in every discipline. As the only 24-hour multi-speciality animal hospital in the UAE, they ensure all the animals that come through their doors live vibrant, active, and long lives.
