Selecting a Vet

For your dog's best health, choose the vet you'll be most comfortable working with.

You and your vet are your dog's health care team; you observe and report, your vet diagnoses and treats. Your veterinarian will arrange a schedule of vaccinations and regular check-ups, maintain a medical history of your dog, and provide preventive, critical, and emergency care. Your partnership with your vet will be a long-term relationship. Working together, you and your vet can help your dog have a healthy, happy life.

Start your search by asking people you know for recommendations. Turn to:

• your breeder, friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors who have dogs.
• your local kennel club, your local or state veterinary association.
• your local yellow pages.

Ask fellow dog owners:

• Are you happy with your vet?
• What is the name of your vet?
• Why did you choose this vet?
• Can you tell me about a specific situation and why you feel your vet handled it well?

Compile a list of at least six vets to check out.