Finding the right vet for Your Labrador Retrievers
One of the most difficult things the owner of a Labrador
Retriever
must do is chose the right veterinarian. With a little work
upfront, you will be able to find a veterinarian that you will be
comfortable with, and one that will be able to serve all of your
Labradors long term needs.
One of the best ways to find a good veterinarian is to start by
asking your family members and friends whom themselves own pets.
Neighbors, groomers, and your fellow co-workers are other good
sources. You can also search your local yellow pages under dog
hospitals, veterinarians, and animal clinics. An excellent online
source is located at pets911. com (punch in your zip code and it
will locate veterinarians in your area).
Now that you have a potential list of vets, your selection
process can begin.
Give each veterinarian a call and explain that you are looking
for a new veterinarian for your Labrador Retriever, and you would
like to meet with them to ask a few questions and to see their
facility.
<b>Typical questions and what to look for:</b>
<b><u>Fee and Services</u></b> – some
veterinarians are higher priced then others. Don’t be hesitant to
ask about prices.
- What methods of payment do they take?
 Do they accept a pet insurance plan?
 Is full payment expected on the day of visit?
 Are there discounts for multi-pet households?
 What is the range of services that the
veterinarian provides (x-rays, blood test, heartworm test,
etc)?
<b><u>Office Hours</b></u>
 What are regular office hours?
 Who will take over if the veterinarian is on
vacation or out sick?
<b><u>Emergency Care for your
Labrador</u></b>
 What should I do if the veterinarian is closed
and my Labrador Retriever gets hurt or is sick?
 In case of an accident that requires an overnight
stay, will someone be with my Labrador Retriever non-stop?
<b><u>Observe the Staff</u></b>
Observe the interaction with the veterinarian and with the other
staff. Are they courteous and caring?
<b><u>Facility</u></b>
 Is the facility clean and well kept?
 How many veterinarians are in the practice?
 Are appointments required?
 Are the animals in separate cages?
The last thing you might want to do is to check with the
Veterinarian Medical Board to check if any complaints have been
filed against the practice.
Once you have finished making your visits with the veterinarians
on your list, you should have a clear picture on what veterinarian
you would like to use. If for some reason your first choice doesn’t
work out, you can always switch veterinarians to your next choice
on your list.
By utilizing the above guidelines, you will be able to match the
right veterinarian to what you are looking for, and to serving all
of your Labrador Retrievers needs.
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