Go to a Large Veterinary Practice Or Small?

Thinking of choosing a new veterinarian? If so, one of the first considerations should be whether you prefer a large practice or small.

Small practice benefits:

• Your dog will see the same doctor — or two — every single visit and will therefore develop a bond with the vet and feel less scared about going for medical care.
• The atmosphere will be less harried.
• The vet will have intimate knowledge of your dog’s baseline health and will be in a prime position to assess changes in health status over time.

Large practice benefits:

• The practice, with at least half a dozen doctors, will likely have more state-of-the-art equipment.
• The practice may have specialists so the dog won’t have to be referred out if there’s a concern about cancer, heart disease, or some other condition. That means less chance of her having to be exposed to a new, scary place.
• The vets in the office can confer with each other in the case of a difficult diagnosis.

There’s no right or wrong. You just have to decide where your priorities lie.

Some questions to ask before choosing a vet

The answers to these queries might help you make your decision.

1. What are the doctor’s office hours? If it’s strictly 9-to-5 and you have little to no flexibility in your own schedule, that’s not going to work.
2. Can you see my dog in an emergency? Not all practices can. If that’s the case, you want to find out what service the vet uses in an emergency and whether it’s very far away from your home. If it is, that won’t serve in a medical crisis.
3. If my dog has to stay overnight, is there someone there at all hours? You want to make sure your sick or recovering dog won’t be left alone for any length of time.