SELECTING A VETERINARIAN FOR YOUR SALUKI
Casey Gonda, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM
Since most of us consider our salukis a “part of the family,” it is not only important to select a veterinarian with an excellent professional reputation, but one that you can feel at ease and comfortable with. For those who are planning to breed, offer stud service, exhibit or produce puppies, a healthy relationship with your veterinarian can offer support and enhance the experience, which will likely be peppered with a mixture of happiness and heartache. In order to achieve such a relationship and make sure that your dog ultimately receives the best care available, I have included a few things for you to consider.
Most people begin the search for a veterinarian by contacting friends or local breeders for their recommendations. Even if these recommendations have come from people you trust, or from breeders whom you respect, I urge you to check out the practice BEFORE you actually need to see a veterinarian. In other words, do not wait until an emergency ensues before you select a clinic.
Begin by making an appointment to meet the primary care veterinarian(s) at the practice you are considering. When doing so, make it clear that you expect to be billed for the appointment and will be coming without your pet(s). Ask if it would be possible to schedule the appointment at a time that would allow you meet all the doctors and staff and to tour the facility without interrupting normal business activities.
Salukis, like other sighthounds, have several, inherent physiologic differences in comparison to other dog breeds. Because the veterinarian you select may or may not be familiar with these differences, I urge you to make a copy of my article on Anesthesia in the saluki and bring it to your first appointment, including the address for the SCOA website which contains pertinent health information for this breed.
We all have different personalities, expectations and needs when it comes to the health professionals we choose. Many owners are satisfied with the modicum of care, yet others want only THE best; any and all available treatments, no matter the cost. Owner and veterinarian may not share the same philosophies regarding spaying, neutering, life saving techniques and euthanasia, so these topics should be discussed.
In addition, you should also prepare a list of questions or concerns you may have regarding fees, appointments, ancillary services (dog boarding, grooming), etc.
As a guide, here are some questions that you may want to consider when searching for a veterinarian and clinic:
Since most of us consider our salukis a “part of the family,” it is not only important to select a veterinarian with an excellent professional reputation, but one that you can feel at ease and comfortable with. For those who are planning to breed, offer stud service, exhibit or produce puppies, a healthy relationship with your veterinarian can offer support and enhance the experience, which will likely be peppered with a mixture of happiness and heartache. In order to achieve such a relationship and make sure that your dog ultimately receives the best care available, I have included a few things for you to consider.
Most people begin the search for a veterinarian by contacting friends or local breeders for their recommendations. Even if these recommendations have come from people you trust, or from breeders whom you respect, I urge you to check out the practice BEFORE you actually need to see a veterinarian. In other words, do not wait until an emergency ensues before you select a clinic.
Begin by making an appointment to meet the primary care veterinarian(s) at the practice you are considering. When doing so, make it clear that you expect to be billed for the appointment and will be coming without your pet(s). Ask if it would be possible to schedule the appointment at a time that would allow you meet all the doctors and staff and to tour the facility without interrupting normal business activities.
Salukis, like other sighthounds, have several, inherent physiologic differences in comparison to other dog breeds. Because the veterinarian you select may or may not be familiar with these differences, I urge you to make a copy of my article on Anesthesia in the saluki and bring it to your first appointment, including the address for the SCOA website which contains pertinent health information for this breed.
We all have different personalities, expectations and needs when it comes to the health professionals we choose. Many owners are satisfied with the modicum of care, yet others want only THE best; any and all available treatments, no matter the cost. Owner and veterinarian may not share the same philosophies regarding spaying, neutering, life saving techniques and euthanasia, so these topics should be discussed.
In addition, you should also prepare a list of questions or concerns you may have regarding fees, appointments, ancillary services (dog boarding, grooming), etc.
As a guide, here are some questions that you may want to consider when searching for a veterinarian and clinic:
- Is the clinic an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) member? This is a voluntary organization that requires a strict set of guidelines be followed to remain a member in good standing. Not a guarantee, but usually indicates a highly professional and motivated staff.
- Hours of operation. Does the clinic offer flexible hours, such as evenings and Saturdays? Do they offer and have facilities to accommodate early morning or late evening drop off/pickups?
- If your pet needs to stay overnight at the hospital, will he/she be monitored directly by personnel at the clinic until the following morning or will they have to be transferred to an emergency care facility?
- Do they offer emergency services at their own facility and are these services 24/7? If not, where is the closest emergency clinic located and what is this clinic’s relationship with them?
- What type of diagnostic equipment is available? All modern practices should have some form of on site laboratory, or access to a laboratory (local hospital) that offers immediate analysis if necessary, Radiography and in some cases ultrasound is standard for most clinics today.
- Do they offer personalized fee schedules for unforeseen emergencies in which time payments may be necessary?
- Does the practice offer any ambulatory services? (e.g., euthanizing your dog at home).
- Are there any board certified specialists employed by the practice. For example, ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons), ACVIM (American College of Internal Medicine) All boarded veterinarians (cardiologists, neurologists, dermatologists, etc.) have received advanced training beyond veterinary school (most 3-5 years additional) in their field of specialty and when needed are usually better equipped to deal with more complicated medical issues.
- If the practice has no in house specialists, are they amenable to referring cases when necessary or when a second opinion is requested? Where is the closest referral practice or veterinary school and does this practice have a referral history with particular specialists at these facilities?