Show 47: Finding The Best Vet: A Dog Owner’s Guide to Choosing The Right Vet

Finding the best vet for your pet is saying yes to a partnership that will make a significant impact on your dog’s health. Making this choice matters! When my pets show signs of health issues, I race straight to a vet. I have complete trust and respect for these professionals. However, after my fair share of vet trips, I can say from experience that not all vets are the same! Not all vets in your area will be compatible with you or your pet. Since we’re putting our dogs’ health on the line, we can never be too careful when finding the best vet. In this blog, we’re going to talk about my experiences with vets, why choosing a vet can be a journey, and things to consider when making this big decision. Key Takeaways Don’t put all your trust in one vet. Explore your options until you find the best dog veterinarian that matches you and your pet. It’s not wrong to ask for a second opinion, especially regarding your dog’s treatment plan. Many vet red flags can help you filter your options right off the bat. FROM MISBEHAVING TO TRANQUIL DOGS: TRY THE DOG CALMING CODE™️ Table of Contents My Journey to Finding the Best Vet: My Personal Experiences with Two Different Veterinarians When Should I Start Finding the Best Veterinarian for My Dog? How to Find the Best Dog Vet: 7 Factors to Consider Questions to Ask When Choosing a Vet Are There Vet Red Flags I Should Be Aware Of? Conclusion: You Can Be Picky With Your Vets. Your Beloved Pet’s Life Is On The Line. My Journey to Finding the Best Vet: My Personal Experiences with Two Different Veterinarians I’ve worked with several veterinarians in my life, but these two stories will always stand out. Why? These experiences taught me something: finding the best vet that matches your pet’s care needs can take a lot of trial and error, and it’s crucial to go through the trials and errors early. If you’re in the process of looking for the best vets for your dogs, I hope these stories can help. Story #1: Finding the Best Vet Helped Me Save $4,000 Vet visits are expensive! I’m sure I’m not the only one making a guesstimate of the total fees before we reach the pet doctor’s office. After bringing Inca to her vet, we learned she had a ripped cruciate ligament. An operation to correct this issue would cost $4,000. For Inca, I was ready to dig deep, find the $4K, and go for it. Fortunately — and this is what made the mark — the pet doctor told me that because of Inca’s small size, we could opt for no surgery without worrying about Inca being in pain or getting worse. After getting reassurance, we decided not to go for surgery. Inca didn’t get worse, and she lived for another five years. Things could have been different if the vet had not told me I had an option! The surprise on my face could have told him I was surprised, but it was such a good surprise! I’m grateful for that veterinarian who truly cared for Inca and her owners! Story #2: I Was Told My Cat Has Cancer! Until I Went To a Holistic Vet I had a cat suffering from lethargy, hair-loss, and significant weight loss. My frantic wife pleaded with me to take her to a good vet. So, I took my cat to the vet where she underwent several tests. After rounds of tests, we were told that our cat had cancer and would need expensive chemotherapy that would cost us $3,000. However, something inside me didn't feel right. I don’t think my cat has cancer, I thought to myself. So, I decided to seek a second opinion from a holistic vet. The holistic vet quickly identified the problem as an ingredient in my cat's food. They recommended natural supplements and a chicken and rice diet. Within just 48 hours, my cat had doubled in weight and went on to live for another five years! I asked the holistic vet about cancer, and he assured me that my cat did not have it. This experience taught me the importance of being careful in choosing the right veterinarian for my pet. This pet food dilemma reminded me of my Podcast on Integrative Dog Medicine Providing Natural