Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian

Taking your furry friend to the veterinarian clinic can be a stressful trip for everyone involved. Preparing your pet ahead of time by performing "practice" exams can help take the anxiety out of getting their yearly exam, but taking preventative measures to ensure the health and happiness of your pet can keep them out of the vet's office on a regular basis. Here are some questions you can ask your veterinarian to make sure your pet is receiving the best care possible.

1. What shots or vaccines does my pet need and how often should they be given?

2. What brand of food is appropriate for my pet/breed?

3. Are there any special dietary requirements that I should consider when choosing a food for my pet?

4. Is a raw or cooked diet better for my pet?

5. What future checkups will my pet need?

6. Should I spay or neuter my pet? If so, when?

7. Should I get my pet microchipped in the event that they become lost or stolen?

8. Is there anything about the breed of my pet that I should know such as prone illness or signs and symptoms that something could be wrong?

9. Can you recommend a good pet sitter or pet day care center?

10. What type of toys are appropriate for my pet?

Once you gain a better understanding about how to properly care for your pet and maintain their health, the only visits you hopefully will have to make to the vet will be their annual checkups which can be a lot more pleasant than visiting the vet for emergencies or sicknesses. Taking your pet by the veterinarian clinic randomly so that they can meet the staff and get plenty of pets and treats will also help the anxiety of visiting the vet.

Make sure that before you choose a veterinary clinic for your furry friend, you take plenty of time to research the clinic, meet the vet and the staff on duty, find out the hours, how to set appointments, how to handle emergencies, as well as tour the clinic to make sure it is clean and in good working order. If you don't get a good feeling about the clinic, it's probably time to look elsewhere.

In the end, the key is to ensure that you have chosen a competent vet and veterinary clinic, and have taken the time to prepare your pet for the sensations and physical exam touches that can often frighten your pet if they are unused to the feelings.

If you are in need of a southeast Iowa vet, check out Thomas Veterinarian Clinic.