If you don’t already have a pet with an established record at a veterinarian’s office, you might be wondering how to go about selecting the best one for your German Shepherd’s health care. Selecting a veterinarian is an important part of pet ownership, and should not be taken lightly; after all, you wouldn’t randomly select a physician for yourself without research, and once you see the office, you wouldn’t want to go back if the place wasn’t up to your standards. Choosing a doctor for your dog is the same way – you must choose someone with whom you can build a trusting relationship.
When choosing a veterinarian, you can first ask fellow pet owners, friends, and relatives, what veterinarian they use for their pets. Chances are this will be more helpful than just doing research online, because you’ll get to hear first-hand stories about the office, staff, and experience, and based on the person with whom you are speaking, you will be able to tell if it could be the right choice for you. Someone who loves their pet very much will not put up with a rude staff or doctor, less than ideal office conditions, or inadequate medical care.
If your German Shepherd has special needs, you might want to find a veterinarian who specializes in that general area, and who has treated other pets with the same or similar needs. You can ask the veterinarian to see their board certification if they say they are a specialist, this way you can ensure that he or she received the proper training.
When choosing the veterinarian, you’ll want to consider a few things. First, how many people that you know would recommend the practice? How many veterinarians are at the practice? More than one might be helpful in getting your German Shepherd seen sooner if he or she is sick, but it also might mean that your care will be less on a personal level, because you might see a different veterinarian each time. How close is the office to your home? Also, what type of emergency services are available to you and your dog? Emergencies with pets can happen more than you might think, so you will need an office that will provide you with options (such as middle of the night care, if necessary).
When many people try to find a veterinarian for their pets, they try to find the cheapest one around them, because let’s face it – medical care isn’t cheap, for humans or their faithful companions. However, price shouldn’t be your main concern. If you have trouble affording medical care for your German Shepherd (including preventative visits with vaccinations, not just for when your pet is ill), you can look into pet insurance. Many companies offer this, and it can really come in handy.
Choosing a veterinarian for your German Shepherd doesn’t have to be difficult! However, if you find that you are not pleased with the care your dog is receiving, it’s perfectly fine to seek out a different doctor for your pet. Just as you would do if you were the patient, your dog deserves that same respect. If things just aren’t working out between you and your chosen veterinarian, select a new one and continue to give your German Shepherd the care he or she deserves for a long and healthy life.
