Next, make a few visits to your top choices. Your clinic should let you have a brief tour of their facilities. Notice if the clinic is clean. Not only is this important for your dog’s health and safety, but you will have to visit this clinic, too. Make sure it is free of odors and bodily fluids. If you can, try to observe how the vets and techs interact with the animals. Are they kind and professional? Talk with the receptionists, too. Are they polite and attentive, or are they distracted? They will be your bridge between you and your vet, so you want to make sure they will be helpful when it comes to scheduling appointments and thoughtful enough to find out information for you when you have questions.
When you walk through the clinic, look at the different rooms they have. They should have several exam rooms, a lab, an x-ray room, and rooms for surgical procedures. If they have all of these rooms, there’s a good chance that they’ll provide all of the services you may need for your Labradoodle. If they don’t, ask them where they send their lab samples and where they refer their clients for x-rays and surgery. You may decide that having two locations for veterinary care is too inconvenient. Also, when your Labradoodle is sick, you want to make sure there is someone working in the lab, looking for a diagnosis, in house. Also, look for separate areas for different animals. If your Labradoodle doesn’t get along with cats, it’s important to find an office with separate areas or entrances. Visiting the vet can be stressful enough; you don’t want to add cats in the mix.
Take some time to talk to the vet that will be working with your dog. This is a great opportunity to learn about their education, certifications, and specialties. You can ask them if they have lots of experience working with Labradoodles, or other large breeds. They should be familiar with Labradoodles and the common health concerns that go along with the breed. Think about how you feel while talking to the vet. You will have to interact with them every time you visit, so make sure your conversation felt pleasant.
Once you’ve picked a vet, it’s not a bad idea to introduce your dog to them. The vet can be a scary place for a dog, but taking this uncertainty out of the equation may help your dog feel more at ease. Notice how the vet treats your dog. Do they treat your dog in a way that you expect them to? Labradoodles can be shy when meeting a stranger, so don’t be surprised if they don’t seem excited to see the vet at first. Give them a few moments to warm up to them.
Finding a new vet can seem like a lot of work for a visit you make just a few times a year. However, it’s best to be prepared. When your Labradoodle is sick or injured, you want to make sure they have the very best care. Other dog owners are great resources during your search. With any luck, you and your Labradoodle will have a long relationship with your new vet, so it’s important to find the right one.
Image sourced from www.springcreeklabradoodles.com.
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