Miami Veterinarians

The Best Veterinarians in Miami

 

Choosing a veterinarian for your pet can be daunting. There are countless vets to choose from and most have no idea what qualifies as an outstanding vet or if there are things to look out for when choosing the right vet.

With so many factors to consider when choosing the best veterinarian for your pets, we created a guide for you and included a list of the Best Veterinarians in Miami and things to be aware of when choosing a vet.

 

How does your pet react when meeting the Veterinarian.

The degree to which a vet is able to reassure and comfort your pet in an uncomfortable, strange situation speaks volumes. Any small animal veterinarian should be familiar with animal behavior and psychology. Unless the animal is prone to excessive anxiety, it shouldn’t be difficult for your vet to calm them.

Your pet might leave from a veterinarian visit nervous or uncomfortable the first time or two, and that is only natural but shouldn’t persist. Unless your pet is continually receiving uncomfortable injections or treatments, they should actually begin to feel comfortable around the ‘doctor’s office’.

If your dog or cat shows repeat signs of anxiety and discomfort, it might be time to try a new veterinarian. Watch out for these signs after your pet’s examinations:

  • Dog slouching, trying to appear small
  • Cat hiding in the rear of its crate
  • Tail tucked or held low
  • Ears flat against the forehead
  • Growling or swatting of the paws

Always go into the veterinarian’s office with a happy, cheerful demeanor. Your pet is going to look to you in these situations for reassurance and guidance. If you appear scared, emotional or uncomfortable your pets will respond in the same manner.

Things to observe when meeting a new vet.

  • Is the clinic clean, modern, and well organized?
  • Are the office staff kind, approachable, and knowledgeable?
  • How many veterinarians are on staff? How many vet techs?
  • Are the veterinarians able to set aside time to communicate their procedures with you in a clear and professional manner?
  • Will the veterinarian take time to answer all of your questions? Even performing some of the minor procedures such as injections in front of you?

What is the Miami vet’s reputation?

If a veterinarian is great at their job, has respect for both their clients and their client’s pets, has a well-rounded and professional staff, and has developed a stellar practice, he (or she) will have a great reputation.

Ask your friends, family, co-workers, or anyone with a pet, what veterinarian they use and why. Find out about their experiences where they go and what kind of care their pets have been provided. After all, they’ve probably already gone through the comparison process you are about to.

Despite all of the countless marketing techniques out there today, ‘Word of Mouth’ is by far the most effective.

Is the hospital or clinic busy?

Though it’s not always the case, a busier veterinary clinic is often a good choice. This means the veterinarians that work there are probably more experienced, have a great rapport with their clients and have a better reputation.

Don’t be put off by a busy clinic that may have wait times. After all, isn’t your pet’s safety worth a little bit of time?

What are the hours of operation?

Pets don’t always get sick or injured when it is convenient for us, and most veterinary clinics are only open between 8 AM and 6 PM weekdays. What happens if you have a pet emergency after they close?

Even if your favorite veterinarian is closed at night or on the weekends, make sure you know of an emergency veterinarian or emergency animal hospital that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Where is the nearest Miami vet?

Having a vet close by is huge. In case an emergency does occur, you’re going to want to get your pet seen as quickly as possible. If your pet is suffering, don’t drive an hour or two out of your way to see the popular vet just because you like him more when there is another just as fabulous veterinarian within minutes from your home.

Is the doctor American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited?

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is a non-profit organization for companion animal veterinary hospitals. Established in 1933, the association is the only accrediting body for small animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

Though many excellent veterinarians aren’t AAHA accredited, the extra membership does carry weight and is impressive. Make sure you check and see whether or not your chosen vet is AAHA accredited.

Do your philosophies match?

It’s important to make sure the best vet for your pets not only makes a clear stance on moral grounds, but that stance is in agreement with yours. Many veterinarians will recommend things simply to make money; you don’t want to get stuck in that situation or made to feel guilty for not drinking the same punch.

Ask your veterinarian about their stance on popular issues like:

  • Vaccinations for senior pets
  • Vaccinations for indoor cats only
  • Spaying/Neutering
  • Pet overpopulation
  • Euthanasia
  • Breeding your pet “just one time”

If your opinions in these matters vastly differ, there could a problem.

How much do services cost?

Many people will choose the best veterinarian for their pets based upon pricing. This isn’t always the best deciding factor.

Though many veterinarians in a given area will offer similar prices for their services, those with better reputations might charge more for their services. In other words, a lower price may or may not mean lower qualifications.

Make an appointment to speak with those veterinarians you are considering using.

Get a feel for their personality and facilities offered. Many pet owners will simply call around, comparing prices by phone. Most veterinarians will also offer websites for easy online comparisons.

Pet Insurance: If the cost of veterinary care is an issue, you own several pets or spend excessive amounts in vet bills, there is another option.

Countless companies offer ‘pet insurance’, which acts nearly the same as health insurance for humans. If you do decide to invest in pet insurance, be sure to compare plans and know exactly what your policy offers.

In a nutshell, do your research and go with your gut. Sometimes our intuition will be indicative of much more than our research in the long run.

Start your research right now with our list of the Best Veterinarians in Miami!

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