Shih Tzu Health: Eight Tips to Choose a Good Vet
Vet’s are well trained and spend years studying for the honour. The majority of vets are animal lovers and will do a good job, but is still advisable to do a bit of research before deciding on a specific vet. Taking the following few points into account will hopefully help you to choose the best Vet for your Shih Tzu.
1. The vet’s operating hours should fit your schedule. If you work long hours during the week it will be to your advantage if the vet is open over weekends or work after hours during weekdays.
2. A vet that is close to your home is an advantage. In case of an emergency you will be able to get the dog to the vet in the shortest time possible. This can often be the difference between life and death.
3. If you belong to a Shih Tzu club, speak to other members of the club. They will give you honest and free advise, speaking from personal experience. If a lot of members use the services of a specific vet, it can also be to your advantage as the vet will be very familiar with the Shih Tzu breed and the specific diseases that affect the Shih Tzu most.
4. Always pay a visit to the vet’s offices before you take your dog there. The staff should be friendly, the offices should be clean and free from animal hairs or blood and you should feel at ease. Also have a look whether big dogs are allowed to walk around freely. You don’t want your Shih Tzu to be attacked by a bigger dog.
5. Some vets specialize in certain areas. Some may do more work on horses other on birds and some on dogs. You obviously want to find one that often work on small dogs. Ask the vet how familiar he is with the Shih Tzu breed and how many other Shih Tzu patients he has.
6. If you don’t belong to a Shih Tzu club you can also speak to your friends or neighbors and ask them about their experience with their vet. Most will give you an honest opinion, especially if you are on good terms with them.
7. Speak to you vet and ask him about his availability in case of an emergency. If your vet stays far from his practice, it will be more difficult to help your dog in case of an emergency.
8. Ask the vet about his fee structure and compare it to other vets. His fees should be in line with other vets and you should obviously be able to afford his services. Also ask what the fee structure is in case of an emergency.
Good luck in choosing the best vet for your dog. It may also be a good idea to identify a second vet who can act as a backup in case you have an emergency and cannot get hold of your vet.
Also read: Shih Tzu Health
