Choosing a veterinarian is one of the most important decisions you will make for your pet. After all, your vet will be an important partner in ensuring that your best friend lives a long and healthy life. Not every vet, however, will be the right choice for treating your pet, so it’s important that you consider this decision carefully before committing
Melbourne Pet Surgery, a brand-new veterinary clinic and surgical centre opening in Dandenong, Victoria in March 2023, have shared some helpful tips for choosing the right vet below.
We highly recommend finding a veterinarian before you need one. It can be a good idea to find one before you even bring your pet home; the last thing you need when welcoming a new pet is the anxiety of trying to find health care for them should something go wrong.
If you’re moving, we recommend looking for a new vet as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to request that the old clinic send your pet’s file to the new one so that they have all information on their past health concerns.
Word of mouth is often the best way to find a great veterinarian, so ask friends and family for their recommendations, local to you. Online reviews can also be helpful but speaking with someone you trust is always going to provide a more well-rounded view. If your dog or cat is purebred, you could also check with local associations (i.e. Boxer Association of Victoria), for the names of clinics who have experience with your specific breed.
Melbourne Pet Surgery suggests a few things to consider when choosing a veterinarian, including:
How attentive the staff are with your pet (if they’re inattentive, for example, they may miss important cues about their health)
How attentive the staff are to you/your family
The location of the clinic and how easy it is to get to (can you find a parking spot?)
How much they charge for consults and treatment
The range of services they offer (if your pet has a more serious concern, for example, will you be referred elsewhere?)
Whether the clinic is clean and well-organised
Some of the questions you should ask will depend on the breed and age of your pet, as well as their medical history.
A few basic questions to start with include:
How many veterinarians work in the practice?
What are the opening hours?
Do they accept walk-ins or is it by appointment only?
How are emergencies handled?
Do they accept pet insurance?
Can they do tests and procedures onsite?
Can they dispense medications onsite?
What is their payment policy?
If you aren’t happy with the care your veterinarian is providing, the first step is to talk to them about it. Go into the conversation with an open mind and be willing to listen to their explanation of why the care provided may have differed from what you expected. Your vet should also be open to listening to your concerns and provide an explanation where required. If you’re still not happy with the care provided, it may be time to seek a second opinion or even change clinics.
MPS is the second clinic established by Dr Scot Plummer. The MPS team is passionate about providing high quality veterinary care at affordable prices. They believe that all owners should have access to the care their pet needs without breaking the bank. With more than two decades of experience, their team of highly skilled veterinarians and nurses is more than equipped to care for your furry companion.
They offer a comprehensive range of veterinary services, including caesareans, dental, desexing, general practice, pathology, radiology and vaccinations. MPS also perform a range of surgical procedures at the centre covering a variety of common issues, including abdomen (such as gastrointestinal obstructions), cancer (such as osteosarcoma), eye (such as corneal ulcers), orthopaedic (such as ACL repairs), and soft tissue (such as soft palate resection). In recognition of the outstanding work that rescue carers do, they also offer discounted rates for these groups (including on surgeries).
Melbourne Pet Surgery’s new state-of-the-art clinic is opening in March 2023 on Robinson Street in Dandenong – we would love to be your chosen veterinarian and help you to keep your pet happy and healthy.
Choosing the right veterinarian for your pet’s care is a little like choosing a school for your child, the choices can be overwhelming. If you’re currently seeing a vet that you don’t believe is a good fit, there’s nothing wrong with seeking another opinion at a new clinic. Vets come in all shapes and sizes, with different backgrounds and personalities, so keep trying until all your boxes are ticked.
The team at Melbourne Pet Surgery would love to be considered for your best friend’s ongoing veterinary care – visit us at our Dandenong clinic when we open in March 2023.
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