Searching for the Right Vet
Choosing the services of the right veterinary clinic or hospital will benefit both you and your dog and ensure that you both have many happy years together. The time you take to search for just the right practice will mean peace of mind later, should your animal become ill or you need advice about a chronic health problem.
Veterinary Options
Most veterinary hospitals also come with a staff of veterinary technicians and management professionals that must also be proficient at their jobs. When you are searching out a new veterinary hospital, be sure to ask other dog owners where they go and why. It is essential to be sure that a practice has what you need to take the very best care of your pet. Remember, you'll be using this practice for the next decade or longer.
A full-service veterinary hospital will not only offer yearly checkups and vaccinations, but also offer diagnostic testing, X-rays, and surgeries. The more services they offer as far as health care is concerned, the more likely they will be able to serve your Golden's needs throughout his entire lifetime. Being able to communicate effectively with the staff is important, but being comfortable with their veterinarians is also crucial. Though a group practice may have several veterinarians, you can get to know two or more of them and request one of your favorites when you make an appointment.
It is perfectly appropriate to bring along small, novel, and delicious treats to feed your Golden during the exam, so long as it does not interfere with the exam itself. This alone may help relax your Golden if it's his first time on the exam table.
Choosing the right veterinary professional is a lot like choosing a doctor. The ideal person will be friendly, sociable, knowledgeable, and capable. The right vet will ideally belong to a practice that is not too large or too small and that can accommodate the needs of your pet without a lot of extra fuss. Once you find this person, stick with them. A good relationship with the professional who is going to be taking care of your beloved companion for the next ten to fifteen years is worth its weight in gold. Choose well.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Most veterinary practices have a puppy visit or a well-dog visit that includes a physical exam and vaccine boosters, if necessary. The physical exam can vary from vet to vet, but in general most veterinarians will check your Golden's ears and eyes, open his mouth, and look at his teeth, tongue, and gums. They will palpate the belly, look at the feet, lift up the tail, check the genitals, and listen to the heart rate and lungs. Some will take your Golden's temperature, especially if he has been acting a little off. Most of the time, the vet will also take a stool sample to check for intestinal parasites. Some vets will trim the nails and empty the anal sacs as well, while some only do this if you ask them to.
