It is a well-known fact that Americans love their pets. There are pet hotels, pet spas, pet daycares, pet insurance policies - virtually anything you can think of for your furry friend probably already exists. For those who have a four legged companion, you know that a pet is more than just an animal that lives in your house; it is a member of your family, albeit a rather harry one. As a result, whenever a pet falls ill the family treats their pet like any other member of the family and takes it promptly to the doctor. In the United States, animal care is one of the largest businesses throughout the country. Veterinary practices can be found in almost every town and often times there is more than one practice in a given town. Additionally, just like any doctor's office, veterinarians need highly skilled and qualified professionals to assist them with a wide range of tasks ranging from basic, yearly check ups to emergency surgery procedures. As a result, the sheer volume of pets a
Choose a vet before your pet gets sick The last thing you want to do is try to pick an unknown vet out of the phone book or online when your pet is sick. Instead, check around when you have lots of time before your pet ever gets sick. Consider the following issues: Do you want a vet who is located near you? Location can be an important issue for many owners, especially if your dog has an emergency. What days and hours is the vet open? If you work then make sure that the vet will be open on days when you are off. Does the vet handle emergencies after hours or refer clients to a pet emergency hospital? Many vets no longer handler emergency calls after hours but some still do. Find out what a vet's policy is on emergencies. What services does the vet provide? Some vets have more advanced equipment than others, for example, and are able to do more diagnostic testing or can provide more advanced treatments. However, not all pets require these services. How do the vet and staff handle