Your Veterinarian/Veterinary Surgeon may be the second most important individual in your pet’s life. Finding and choosing the right one will help you keep your pet healthy and will give you peace of mind. But don’t wait until you have a medical emergency to start looking! Here are some suggestions to help you find the right vet for you.

Often the best way to find a good veterinarian is to ask your pet-owning friends, neighbors or co-workers for a recommendation. Ask them what they like and don’t like about their vet. If you have recently moved, ask your previous veterinarian for a referral in your new neighborhood. In any case, try to choose a vet that is near your home. If you need them in an emergency you will not have to travel far and get stuck in traffic. Also check out if they have 24/7 emergency cover for night time and weekend days including Fridays, not all clinics provide this crucial peace of mind.

What is important to you? If you feel that personalized service is essential, choose a small clinic with one or two vets. Small clinics can provide you with the opportunity to develop a rapport with the vet and the staff. In complex medical cases, however, they may refer you to a veterinary specialist at a larger clinic or hospital.

A larger clinic may offer the benefit of staff veterinary specialists and advanced technical equipment, but you may not be able to see the same vet every time due to their scheduling and staff rotas.

Once you have decided that a particular clinic meets your needs, make an appointment to meet the veterinarian and visit the clinic. A crowded waiting room is often an indicator of satisfied clients. Try to observe the attitude of the veterinarian and reception staff and nurses to the animals and clients.

Ask questions to determine how the vet and clinic stand on the concept of preventative care, etc. Can you get a same-day appointment for a sick pet if needed? Do their ideas on care concur with yours? Does this vet explain things clearly? Do you feel comfortable?

Your goal with a veterinarian should be to establish a working relationship based on trust. Follow your instincts and gut feeling. You need to feel at ease with the care, attitude and services provided by the veterinarian and staff at the clinic.

There are many veterinary clinics in Dubai spread across the community, some are relatively new, some have been here for as long as 30 years, other clinics work together to share an out of hours emergency pet care rota. Wherever you choose to register your pet ensure you get your pet on board with a vet clinic as soon as possible as you never know when you might need them.

Check out Expat Echo Dubai’s Veterinarian Clinics directory!