For most of us, our pets are part of our family. We love them, spoil them, and care for them providing the best care we can afford. Taking them to the vet is part of the love and care that we give them. Most of the time, our pets live long and getting to know your vet is important. You want to choose a vet that is well-known and recommended. Choose your vet depending on the type of pet that you have. Some veterinarian practices handle cats and dogs only. Others are more generalized. Other vets specialize in exotic animals. Some practices are holistic and will practice natural medicine. Other veterinary hospitals will specialize in some types of conditions, surgeries, and services. Keep in mind that some clinics may not do blood work, surgery, or x-rays and you will have to go to an affiliated hospital for these procedures. The more procedures that your vet can do, the better for your pet, since it will not have to get used to a new environment.

Once you have chosen a vet, get to know their practices, philosophy, and office routines. Get to know the different staff members too. We love our pets and want to provide the best care we can afford and it is important to know if your vet offers discounts on multiple pets, accepts your pet insurance (if you have one), and cost-wise, if he/she is competitive in the area.

It is advisable to check his/her credentials, as well as the business, for any complaints that might be filed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). There are many stories of people working as veterinarians without proper training or license.

Always keep an eye for good hygiene practices. Is the office clean, are the animals that are kept inside clean or can you smell an exaggerated amount of urine and feces? Is the examination room clean? Does it look well stock? Is the examining table wiped or can you see signs of the previous patient in it?

How much experience does he/she has? Is he/she just out of veterinary school? Are there other more experienced vets on staff? How many? Do you like how he handles your pet? Is your vet specialized in your type of pet?

How many technicians are on staff? Are they friendly to your pet? Do they also use safety precautions? Is the office staff professional and courteous?

How is the communication with your vet? Can you ask questions? Are they answered? Does he/she elaborate so you understand, or do you feel rushed?

Another important factor is the convenience of your vet's office. Is the office close to you? Can you find easy parking? You do not want to carry your pet for two blocks, if you cannot find a parking spot. What kind of other services do they offer? These services may range from grooming, boarding, dental services, surgery, blood work, x-rays, and emergency care. If they do not open on weekends, holidays, or nights, with what other hospitals do they affiliate with, and are these places close to you in case of an emergency?

These are some tips to get to know your vet better. Some of these are part of choosing a vet at the beginning, others, you will find out about after several visits. The most important thing is that your vet and the staff truly care for your pet, even if he/she does not have a fancy office with the latest state of the art equipment.

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Come visit us at Reading Vet if you would like free advice on pet care and to find your local vet in Reading. This article may be reproduced as long as the content and links are preserved.