Veterinary Care

Your veterinarian is as important to your pet's health as your doctor is to yours. You may need to look around a bit before you find one who suits you and your animal companion.

The best way to find a good veterinarian is to ask people who have the same approach to pet care as you. Other cat owners and people who work at local kennels and shelters may be able to provide you with the names of reliable veterinarians. When you've collected names, call and ask if you could stop by at a convenient time, meet the veterinarian, and look at the premises. This is a reasonable request that any veterinarian should be glad to oblige.

Stick to your neighborhood or reasonably close by; this can be important, especially in emergencies. In addition to selecting a regular veterinarian, you should locate an all-hours emergency veterinary clinic. Post this number on your refrigerator or by your telephone for quick access.

Ideally, you will want a veterinarian who shares your philosophy of preventive health care and is an active participant in meeting your pet's needs. Trust your intuition. You will probably sense when you have found the right veterinarian.