I've been contemplating for some time a thread like this would be very useful in assisting owners with the very important but difficult task above. Selecting a new veterinary practice is by no means easy and one that should be undertaken with great care, but nevertheless there are some factors that should be very carefully considered as part of the selection process/decision making with a view to making the best choice.

I'm sure everyone here has some pointers that informed their decisions when for instance they moved area, or became first time pet owners. I believe it would be useful to share these thus enabling us to compile a list of screening criteria that should be considered as guidance during this very important selection process. We also need to look at reasons why you currently attend the practice you use!

I will start with a very general but basic ones! Numerous others..........

1. Asking other owners in the locality for recommendations and especially owners of your own pet species. Some veterinary practices are very good with dogs for instance but the same may not apply to cats!

2. Make an appointment to visit the practice. Make enquiries about a) number of vets employed there and their experience, their diagnostic facilities etc. in particular very basic but often lacking in some practices, blood pressure equipment-vital especially if you've got older animals.

3. Following on from the above, if you've got a cat who has an ongoing illness, making enquiries about how many other cats they are currently successfully treating with the same condition.

Could I also add that FAB (Feline Advisory Bureau) have a list of Vets that are registered with them and so are showing a slightly higher interest in the welfare and treatment of Cats. List

Great idea for a thread, and thanks for that link too GreyHare... I am pleased to see our chosen vet is on that list! Phew!

__________________
Bonnie and the gang xxx

I echo Bonnie 82 great idea and GH thanks for the link,I too see my vet for the past ??years is on the list

__________________

Thanks for the link, although none of the vets in my area appear on it

I am a big fan of FAB. Such a fantastic website and full to the brim with excellent info.

Last time I changed vets in addition to the above I looked for four very specific things to be ticked off

1) vet/vet practice agrees with or at least respects my way of feeding
2) they do out-of-hour cover themselves
3) have their own U/S etc equipment
4) are willing to explore alternative approaches

Great thread thanks. I'm glad to see that my vets of the past 20 years are one of only two in my town on that list.

I'd second the out of hours service being important. We've called on this several times over the years - even on Christmas Day - and it's so reassuring to hear the vets we know and trust on the end of the phone when we call.

Thanks GH for the link! Very useful as an initial screening tool!

However, I believe it's worth refining the process a bit more as well, by doing some research yourself in addition. For example, a practice which appears on the list in my general area has received mixed reviews from feline owners like myself and not so good ones particularly where some feline conditions are concerned. In other words the treatment was far better when the clients looked elsewhere. Vets also move around and have their own little specialities.

I know the RCVS also provides a list of Accredited Practices which might also be helpful guide but of course the same advice applies!

Choosing a veterinary practice - RCVS Animal Owners

Good qualities in a vets practice,but,in Edinburgh it is very difficult to find any vets who operate their own out-of-hours cover.My vets surgery is taken over at night by E-vets who see clients for most of the vets in Edinburgh at this one site.

__________________

Entirely agree with your observation Buffle. It's exceedingly difficult to find a vet who provides their own out of hours facitlities. You're very lucky Hobbs! Like everyone else I prefer to see my own vets-continuity of care for one thing not to mention others!

There are also some practices whose emergency clinics are actually situated a long distance away. The last thing I want is a long trek with a critically ill cat who may not be able to survive the journey! Another thing to consider!

At present my one is literally around the corner giving me some peace of mind!