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Choosing a Vet for Your Disabled Pet

A Vet for Your Disabled Pet

Choosing the right vet for a disabled pet can be challenging, especially if it is your first time. It is important that you and your vet see eye to eye when it comes to the proper care of your disabled pet.

There is a good chance you already have a vet for your non-disabled fur babies. However, not all vets are on board with the lengths to which some pet owners will go to care for their disabled pets. Some vets may not be open to considering alternate therapies for that you might like to try. With that in mind,Here are some things you need to think about when choosing a vet for your disabled pet.

Experience

In most cases, you want a vet that has some experience with the condition of your disabled pet. On the other hand, you also want one who is open to new ideas, and that is not always the case for veteran vets. The safe thing to do is find an experienced vet who is familiar with the latest technologies and treatments, but will not prescribe the newest thing without looking thoroughly into it. In many cases, the old ways are still the best ones.

House calls

One of the things you need to find out is if your vet is willing to come to you. Some vets do make home visits, which is a big plus if you have a large pet. Transporting a mobility-challenged German Shepherd, for instance, is no joke. However, you might find this a rarity if you live in the city, as mobile vets tend to be in rural areas where they are used to servicing horses and other large animals. A dog wheelchair would come in handy if you cannot find a vet to make house calls.

Flexibility

You want someone who will not make you come to the clinic for every little thing. This shows that he or she has a good understanding of your pet’s condition. Even if you are willing to bring your pet in, it is not a good idea to do that unnecessarily. In many cases, their immune system is compromised. If your vet is willing to phone in a prescription for common medications, that will save you a lot of trouble, and some money as well.

Of course, that requires a lot of trust on the part of your vet, so make sure you are deserving of it. If there is a new development in your pet’s condition, make sure your vet is aware of it so that he or she can determine if a clinic visit is necessary.

Friendly staff

Another thing you need to consider is the staff. You want them to be supportive of you and your needs. A vet might be fantastic at the job, but if you have no rapport with the staff, then you will find the experience very frustrating. Staff members should be able to remember your pet’s history, or at least take the trouble to find out, every time you make a visit. This is to spare you the frustration of having to explain the situation every time as well as making you feel that your pet is getting the necessary care. They will also accommodate you whenever they can, from making it easy to get a prescription or squeezing you in for an emergency appointment.

Of course, you also need to be easy to accommodate. Show them appreciation for the service they give you, and be open and flexible when you need to compromise on anything. Your pet will benefit from all that goodwill.

Conclusion

Caring for a disabled pet is highly stressful albeit rewarding. Finding a vet who understands the exigencies of your situation is a treasure beyond price, but it is not easy. In many cases, you will have to do some trial and error before you find a good fit. When you do, make sure you share your good fortune with others who might be in the same situation.

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