We have several vets to choose from in our new area. All routine stuff will still be managed in Andorra, at our existing vet, but I'd like to choose a favourite from the local ones in Spain for "just in case" - be that a split pad, a bad tummy, whatever. I'd like to be proactive in this choice so that, should anything need attention, I have one less thing to worry about at that time. So, when you have a choice of vets, what questions do you ask to ensure you choose the best one?
How do you manage out of hours emergencies? Describe the management techniques you use for nervous dogs?
I think what emergency provision they have has to be your priority. Maybe ask if they have any special interests. If they do, that would perhaps suggest more inclination for keeping up to date than a "generalist" might? (It might not....but it depends on how they answer really)
How many vets do they have at the clinic, and what are the hours? Our clinic has 4 (maybe 5 now) vets, and while we usually go to a particular one, they have all treated our pets at some time or another. It makes it a lot easier to get an appointment when you have a minor emergency. Our clinic is open 7 days a week. Our first Lab became diabetic at 12yrs and we originally picked one vet because she also had a diabetic Lab. We also have two emergency clinics in the metro area. One is open 24/7 and is a major animal trauma center. The other is only open at night when most clinics are closed.
Go to each vets and see what the place looks like, what the staff are like, what equipment they have, how do they treat the animals, how happy are the other clients with the service.
There's one that, from the outside, looks far flashier than the others. But, appearances can be deceiving. I'll go and visit them all, ask some questions and maybe ask in the pet shops for recommendations, too. Thanks for your responses
I ask the locals who they go to. We have a dozen vets to choose from, so I could have made a big mistake, or struck lucky, but decided to ask for experiences and so on. Finally (and quickly) decided on our current one, due to the majority already going there. Small family practice who have proved excellent.
