This is going to be Long and I apologize:
I feel you choose a vet like you would choose a doctor for yourself.....Here are a list of potential questions that you might consider asking: (Dr. X refers to the doctor or doctors in question and the pet refers to the specific species about which you are asking)
What species of animals does your practice see?
How long has Dr. X been in practice?
Does Dr. X have any specialty training?
What veterinary or pet organizations does Dr. X or the hospital belong to?
To what veterinary or trade publications does Dr. X or the hospital subscribe?
Does Dr. X or the hospital have access to the Internet?
How many hours of veterinary continuing education pertaining to the type of pet in question does Dr. X receive a year?
How do you handle after-hours emergencies? (You don't want to find out later that the hospital you selected is completely unavailable after-hours)
Are there other veterinarians in the practice that can treat the pet in case Dr. X is not available? (Some doctors in a practice only treat certain species). And if not, then to whom do you refer these cases?
Does Dr. X refer difficult cases to anyone else? (There may be no one else, or Dr. X may actually be the referral clinic for the area)
Does Dr. X or the hospital work with any pet groups or shelters? (Not a requirement, but if they do work with these groups you have a source of opinion on this veterinary clinic)
Do you have any printed material on your practice and/or on the type of pet I have? (If they do, you might want to stop by and pick it up)
Can I briefly meet with Dr. X prior to my first pet visit and/or have a brief tour of the hospital? (This is good idea if you still have any questions in your mind about your choice.)
VISITING THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL (* a good hospital will not mind you visiting before bringing your pet)
Once you have made your selection you might want to visit the practice and make some observations. This could be on a pre-pet visit..... There are a few things that you should observe to determine if this veterinarian is right for your pet.
Cleanliness of the reception area, exam rooms and staff - If these areas/staff members are reasonably tidy, then it is more likely that attention is also paid to disease control and to clean medical and surgical habits.
Ability and willingness of staff to answer your questions
Printed material available on your pet species
Skill with which the pet is handled
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VETERINARIAN AND STAFF MEMBERS
Your veterinarian's personality should be one with which you are comfortable. Fortunately humans come with all different types of personalities from talkative and amusing to quiet and serious and all varieties in between! However, there are some common characteristics of a health professional that are universally important (And this goes for human doctors as well!) These characteristics are also important in the veterinary staff members that you deal with on your visits to the hospital as well.
Compassionate
Handles your pet with respect and care
Interested and knowledgeable about your species of pet and breed
Is a good listener
Is willing to answer your questions
Is interested in client education and encourages it
Is willing to accept/review information you may have collected on your own
Is willing to admit when they don't know the answer
Is flexible with developing plans for treatment based on medical and financial constraints for each individual pet
Is not offended when a second opinion is sought
When it is time to make the final decision on a veterinarian use your observations and intuition. It sounds like you already have questions.....In the place that you went was there more then one doctor to see since you liked the staff?
The towel thing to me would be a big no-no!!!! The food thing also....If you dont know a food you should not bash it. There is one thing for sure. If you tell what name of food you feed...there will ALWAYS be someone to tell you why you should not or what is better.....They should thrive on food, have good stools, have them less often, have a good hair coat.....You must feed what works for your dog! There is no single universal answer to the right food and a good vet knows that!!!!!!
