Although it might be easy to fall in love with a puppy or kitten, finding a stellar vet in South Africa is easier said than done. On this page, we will be taking a closer look at how you can go about finding the right pet-care professional for your four-legged family member.
Tips for choosing the right vet in South Africa
Take a look at community involvement
Does the veterinarian you have in mind get involved with the community? Are they open for dogs and their owners to visit their clinics socially as well as during hours of need? The best vet in South Africa will be involved with their community and won’t stop at just “bringing home the bacon” as part of their careers.
Access to medical information
It is wise to investigate whether or not you can get timely answers to your medical questions from your vet. Be sure to inquire about whether or not you’ll be able to call whenever you want for updates in the case where your pet is hospitalised as well.
Medical equipment and services
When choosing a vet in South Africa, you need to ensure that your service provider of choice has access to the best medical equipment and delivers great service. Great hospitals have access to quality x-ray, ultrasound, dentistry, in-house lab tests, IV pumps, blood pressure, and eye pressure monitoring equipment. They also have the ability to send out labs and refer to specialists. If your cat or dog needs special health care services, be sure to inquire about whether your vet offers those services.
Techs and assistants
Do your chosen vet, and his or her assistant(s) seem knowledgeable and sensitive to animals? Ask them about the longevity of their nursing staff. If the team has been with the practice for a long time, they feel empowered to do good medicine and nursing care.
Hours
The veterinary clinic of your choice has to be open during times that are convenient for you. Long hours are often not nearly as important as great communication and animal care. Ask your vet about their emergency hours as well as their standard operating hours. If you can’t get your pet to the vet during their operating hours, do they offer late night or weekend alternatives?
Accreditation and experience
Before you consider any veterinary practice, check that they’re accredited by the South African Veterinary Association. You may also want to check out the qualifications that the vet holds, as well as those obtained by the veterinary assistants and nurses.
Attentiveness
The level of attention that a vet gives to you and your pet is a crucial factor for finding the right vet in South Africa. If they aren’t attentive enough, they can easily miss vital clues of potentially more serious conditions. How does the vet and practice staff interact with animals? Do they look like they genuinely love animals and have a deep concern for them? How much time are they willing to spend with your pet in order to assess any issues?
Location
Even if they claim to be the best vets in SA, it won’t be of much use to you if the practice isn’t easily accessible. It makes sense to choose a vet that’s within a reasonable distance from your home. You’ll be able to quickly and easily get there in case of an emergency.
Costs
Vets and pets are two words that come together and create a costly equation. Does your vet of choice have fixed costs for set procedures? Or do they give full quotes before going ahead with any given treatment?
Specialist services
Some veterinary practices have access to specialist vets for services like dentistry, dermatology and ophthalmology. Some practices specialise in diagnostic imaging, critical animal care or animal cardiology. But, having these specialisms may not be a factor in your search if your pet is in relatively good health.
Gut feeling
A lot of us seem to have forgotten how to use our gut feeling to make choices. But if you listen to your intuition, you’ll soon know whether the practice in mind is the right place for you and your pet. Fining a vet in South Africa that instils trusts and confidence is vital for any successful relationship and also for the welfare of your pet.
Need some more help?
Over at Petz.co.za, we’re barking mad about helping you find great animal care solutions. We know what the best vets look like, and we’re more than willing and able to help you find them. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services!
