| Our choice of veterinarian can be one of the most | | | | easier for cats who are stressed by dogs. |
| important long-term decisions we can make for our | | | | Veterinarians who specialize in cats often have a |
| cats. Many people make the decision based on cost. | | | | better grasp of cat specific illnesses simply because |
| Others make it based on the office closest to their | | | | they only treat cats and are more likely to be |
| house. Cost and location are important consideration | | | | exposed to these illnesses. They can be a font of |
| but there are other things to take into consideration | | | | knowledge about some of the more unusual cat |
| when placing your cat's life in someone's hands. | | | | breeds as well. |
| 1. Accessibility. Location is part of accessibility. While | | | | Whether or not your veterinarian specializes only in |
| the best vet in the area may be "only" forty minutes | | | | cats is less important than whether or not your |
| away, what if you have an emergency? Do you | | | | veterinarian appreciates the bond you have with your |
| want to drive that far? If you are choosing a | | | | cat. They should understand that your cat is very |
| veterinarian closer to you, what is their policy on | | | | important to you. They should be able to honor that |
| emergencies? Can you get your cat in as soon as | | | | bond. |
| you need to or do they refer to another doctor? If | | | | 4. Costs. Cost is important. No matter how wonderful |
| they have multiple doctors in their office, can you | | | | or knowledgeable the veterinarian is, if you can't |
| request that the doctor you regularly see treat your | | | | afford to see them, there's a problem. If you can't |
| cat once the life threatening emergency has passed? | | | | afford any veterinarian, you might want to consider |
| When considering accessibility, you also want to | | | | delaying adopting a cat. Medical expenses happen. |
| consider how easy it is to reach the veterinarian by | | | | Some clinics are more expensive than others. Some |
| phone. In many cases technicians are more than | | | | clinics also insist that owners always do thorough |
| capable of answering questions about your pet and | | | | blood work and recommend expensive diagnostic |
| setting up appointments if it goes beyond their | | | | tests and treatments without offering the owner any |
| knowledge, but what about when you have a | | | | other more "cost effective" options. While the most |
| specific question about blood work? Does your | | | | expensive may be the best way to go, it's important |
| veterinarian return your calls promptly? | | | | to know that if there are alternatives, your |
| 2. Communication. This can be a big issue. If you | | | | veterinarian will tell you about them. |
| have questions about your cat's health, can your vet | | | | 5. Comfort. Are you comfortable in the office? What |
| answer them so that you understand them? Do they | | | | about your cat? While going to the vet is rarely a |
| talk at the level you understand? Many people have | | | | cat's favorite activity, an office that makes you and |
| medical backgrounds. They don't need a doctor telling | | | | your cat feel more comfortable can ease a lot of |
| them in simple general terms about what's going on | | | | stress. Consider how you feel upon thinking about |
| with their pet's blood work, they want to know the | | | | going to the vet. If it's very stressful for you, your |
| actual numbers. Other people just want to know | | | | cat will know. They'll be stressed as well. Look for an |
| what those numbers mean. Can your veterinarian talk | | | | office that will make you feel more welcome and |
| to you? | | | | works on easing your fears and your cats fears. |
| 3. Specialization. Should you go to a veterinarian who | | | | There are many wonderful veterinarian offices out |
| specializes in cats? Many people choose to do this. | | | | there. No one office is the right office for everyone. |
| They like an office where there are only cats. Their | | | | Communication styles differ. Different office |
| cats are not exposed to barking dogs and the visits | | | | décor can make some people comfortable but |
| are less stressful. Other vets have separate | | | | not others. The most important thing is to find the |
| entrances for cats and for dogs, which can make it | | | | vet that fits you and your cat. |