Apr 03 2008
How to Choose a Vet
When it comes to choosing a vet for your pet, I’ve learned two things the hard way.
First, cheaper isn’t better, it’s just cheaper.
Second, in the long run, it pays to use a vet that offers emergency services (which kind of echoes the first, because most emergency vets charge more, even for non-emergency visits).
I take Greta, her feline “sister” Moxie and feline “brother” Flynn to Mueller Pet Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.
They are probably the most expensive vets in town, but they are, in my opinion, also the very best.
We have put their emergency services to the test with all three of our “kids”, and all have had great outcomes and excellent follow-up care. (In fact, when Greta tore her stitches out a day before they were supposed to be removed, the vet stapled her up free of charge.)
Flynn has had major surgery at Mueller, and Greta has also been anesthetized twice, once for teeth cleaning and once for wound stitching. And although Moxie has had no surgery (knock on wood that continues!), she has received emergency treatment at Mueller for urinary issues.
Before we got Greta, we tried another vet for our cats. Not only did they not offer emergency services, but they also basically couldn’t handle Flynn’s medical condition, and they eventually referred us to Mueller (so we ended up there anyway!).
Greta has always gone to Mueller, and even when I tried to save money having her nails trimmed elsewhere, we ended up seeing her vet because one of her nails split.
The vets at Mueller are compassionate, knowledgeable (even about Greyhounds, which are a pretty rare breed around here), and practical (in that they don’t recommend needless tests).
In the end, when it comes to choosing a vet, it pays to do your homework and check references. But when it comes down to it, it’s not about money, it’s about care.
Family photo: Flynn (orange), Moxie (black) and Greta (in crate), taken during Greta’s first week with us.
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