the conscientious pet owner’s guide to choosing the right ... · in fact, most veterinarians are...

ThisisaFreeVeterinary

TheConscientiousPetOwner’sGuideToChoosingTheRight

VeterinarianForYourPet

PetOwnerAwarenessGuide

©SpringbrookAnimalCareCenter Tel:(630)428-0500 Page2

TableofContents

Introduction............................................................................................................................................3

7CostlyMisconceptionsAboutVeterinaryPractices...............................................................31.VeterinaryPracticesAreJustForEmergenciesandForYour“Pet’sShots”...........................32.TheCheapestQuoteWillMeantheCheapestVisit..........................................................................43.AllVeterinaryPracticesAretheSame.................................................................................................44.CatsCanTakeCareOfThemselves.......................................................................................................45.IndoorPetsCannotGetFleas,Ticks,Lice,HeartwormorIntestinalParasites......................56.IfYouSpayorNeuterYourDog,HeorSheWillGainWeight.......................................................57.VeterinaryCareIsExpensive..................................................................................................................5

7MistakesToAvoidWhenChoosingAVeterinarian...............................................................61.ChoosingaVeterinaryPracticethatcannotprovidetestimonials............................................62.Nottakingatourofthepracticebeforeyoujoinwithyourpet..................................................63.Choosingthecheapestserviceandnot‘comparingappleswithapples’.................................64.Choosingthepracticeclosesttohomejustbecausethey’retheclosest..................................75.Choosingthepracticethatonlyoffersappointments....................................................................76.Waitinguntilyourpetissickbeforechoosingavet.......................................................................77.Notaskingtherightquestionsbeforeyouvisitwithyourpet....................................................8

12QuestionsYouMUSTAskAnyVeterinaryPracticeBeforeYouVisit.............................8

11ThingsYourVeterinarianMustPerform,RecommendandBelieveIn........................81.RegularlyScheduledExams....................................................................................................................92.Spay/Neuter.................................................................................................................................................93.Microchipping..............................................................................................................................................94.Parasitecontrol...........................................................................................................................................95.Vaccinations.................................................................................................................................................96.NutritionalCounseling...........................................................................................................................107.RoutineBloodScreening.......................................................................................................................108.PreventativeCarePlans........................................................................................................................109.24HoursADayEmergencyVeterinarianCare..............................................................................1010.Communication/Education................................................................................................................1011.RespectForYourTimeandWallet..................................................................................................10

4RecommendationsForChoosingTheRightVeterinaryPractice...................................111.Doyourresearch......................................................................................................................................112.Askquestions............................................................................................................................................113.Visitthepractice......................................................................................................................................114.Placeyourfirstvisit................................................................................................................................11

ContactInformation..........................................................................................................................11



Introduction

Thankyouverymuchforrequestingthisguide.We’reextremelygratefulfortheopportunitytoprovideyouwithinformationaboutkeepingyourpethealthyandhelpingyoutochoosetherightveterinarypracticeforyourpet.

OurnamesareDr.MatthewTimmons,Dr.SandraFaeh,Dr.ToddPrinceandDr.TomStaudacherandwe’retheownersandChiefMedicalOfficersofSpringbrookAnimalCareCenter.Wehaveover60yearsofcombinedveterinaryexperienceandinthattime,we’velearnedthatanimalhealthcareisthesubjectofmuchconfusion.Infact,petownershavemanymisconceptionsaboutanimalhealthcareproviders,intermsofhowoftentheyshouldvisitavet,whatvaccinationstheirpetreallyneedsandiftheirpetevenneedstoseeaveterinarianatall!Sowe’vedecidedtoofferthisconsumereducationmessagetoclearupthesemisconceptions.Thatwayyouknowthequestionsyoushouldbeaskingwhenyouselectaveterinarypracticeforyourpetandcanmakeaninformed,intelligentdecision.

Inthisguide,wewillrevealsevencostlymisconceptionsaboutveterinarypracticesandsharesevencommonmistakestoavoidwhenchoosingaveterinarypracticeforyourpet.Pluswe’llgiveyoutwelvequestionsyouMUSTaskanyveterinarypracticeBEFOREyouvisitwithyourpetandtellyoutheeleventhingsyourveterinarianMUSTrecommend,performandbelievein.Finally,we’llgiveyoufourrecommendationsonhowtochoosetherightveterinarianforyourpet.

Additionally,ifyouwouldliketospeaktoananimalhealthcareprofessionalimmediatelyaboutanyspecificissuethenpleasecallourpracticedirectlyat630-428-0500whereoneofourownerdoctorsoroneofourotherhighlytrainedveterinariansorstaffmemberswillbedelightedtohelp.

Solet’sgetstarted…

7CostlyMisconceptionsAboutVeterinaryPractices

Aswesaidearlier,petownershavemanymisconceptionsaboutanimalhealthcareproviders.Thisispartlyduetothemediaandveterinariansnotcommunicatingproperlywiththepetownersintheirarea.Theproblemisthatthesemisconceptionscanendupcostingyoufinanciallyandhavenegativeeffectsonyourpet’slong-termhealthifyou’renotawareofthem.Soherearesevencostlymisconceptionstowhichyoushouldpaycloseattention:

1. VeterinaryPracticesarejustforemergenciesandforyour“pet’sshots”Thisisprobablythebiggestmisconceptionandtheonethathasmostveterinarianspulling

theirhairout!Thefactisthatdogsandcatsaremammals–justlikeyouandme.Asaresult,theysharemanycommoncharacteristicswithhumanssuchasfourlimbs,aspine,skin,eyes,ears,noseandthroat,teeth,heartandlungs,liverandkidneysetc.Inotherwords,theyshareallthesamepartsofthebodywithwhichwehumansoftenhavemedicalissues.Theyarealsoexposedtomanyofthesameenvironmentalfactorssuchasbreathingthesameair,notgetting

enoughexerciseand,unfortunately,insomecaseshavingapoordiet!Plus,tocompoundthingsfurther,yourpetsusetheirmouthsfornearlyeverything,whichputsthematgreaterriskforcatchingdisease.



Nowonecanseewhypetsneedhealthcarejustthesameaswedo.However,therearetwobigdifferences:first,veterinariansaren’tjustyourpetsphysicianbutalsohisorherspecialist,dentist,nutritionist,psychiatrist,andwhennecessaryhisorhersurgeon!Second,petshaveashorterlifeexpectancythanhumanssotypicallyoneyearforyourpetiscomparabletofivetosevenyearsforahuman.Sojustasyouwillvisityourphysicianforanannualexamtoassesstheoverallstateofyourhealth,yourpetneedstobeseenatleastyearlytodothesame.

2. TheCheapestQuoteWillMeanTheCheapestVisit

Itisimportanttochooseyourveterinarypracticebasedontheoverallqualityofthehospitalratherthanjustpricebecauseafterall,likemostthingsinlife,youtendtogetwhatyoupayfor.Butwhetherpriceisanissueornot,besuretoasktherightquestions.Youmustknowwhatisincludedwithintheserviceyouhavebeenquotedfor.Forexample,youmaycallthreeveterinaryclinicsandaskedhowmuchtheychargetogiveyourdoghisorher‘shots’.Oneofthemquotesafeethatis$50cheaperthantheotherssoyoudecidetogothere.However,whatthey‘forgot’tomentionisthattheappointmentfeewasnotincludedintheirquote.Becauseofthis,youactuallyendupspendingmoreorthesameasyouwouldhaveattheotherpracticeswhoalreadyincludedthisfeeandofferabetterlevelofservice.Thisisjustoneofmanyexamplesofhowyoucouldbemisled.

3. AllVeterinaryPracticesAreTheSame

Youmaynotknowthis,butnotallveterinaryclinicsandanimalhospitalswerecreatedequally.Infact,differentveterinarypracticesofferwidelydifferentlevelsofservice,patientcare,facilities,staffinglevels,expertise,veterinarianexperienceandclientexperience.Touseananalogyfromthehotelworld,a1-starhotelanda5-starhotelbothofferhotelroomsbuttheexperience,levelofservice,attentiontodetail,qualityandfriendlinessofthestaffwillbeentirelydifferentbetweenthetwo.

Veterinarypracticeshavebeenguiltyinthepastofnotlettingpetownersknowwhatmakestheirpracticedifferentsomakesureyouchooseapracticethatyouaregoingtofeelcomfortablevisiting.Forexample,isthebuildinginagoodstateofrepair?Isthereceptionareaclean,comfortableandinviting?Isthestaffcourteousandfriendly?Doesthepracticehavestate-of-the-artfacilities,equipmentandcomputersystems?Arethedoctorsup-to-datewiththeircontinuingeducation?Ordotheyevenoffercomplimentarybeverageswhileyouwait?Isthereapartnerorowneronstaffatalltimes?Dotheyhaveaboardcertifiedveterinarianontheirstaff?Don’tassumeyou’llgetthesameserviceyou’relookingforfromeveryanimalhospitaloutthere.Doingyourhomeworknowcansaveyouandyourpetalotofunnecessarystresslater.

4. Catscantakecareofthemselves

Unfortunately,thisisnotthecase.Infact,catscandevelopmanyofthesamemedicalproblemsasdogssuchasdentaldisease,parasites,weightproblems,heartdisease,andevenarthritis.Theyarealsopronetourinary,kidney,andthyroidproblemsanddiabetes.However,thesignsandsymptomsofcatillnessareveryhardtospotandareoftenonlyspottedwhen



theyareatanadvancedstage,whichiswhyyoushouldhaveyourcatexaminedannuallybyaveterinarian.Werecommendyouvisithttp://catalystcouncil.org/tofindoutmoreaboutkeepingyourcathealthy.Wehighlyrecommendthiswonderfulwebsite!

5. Indoorpetscannotgetfleas,ticks,lice,heartwormorintestinalparasites

Thisisentirelyuntrueandaverydangerousmisconceptiontobelieve.Heartwormsarespreadbymosquitoes,whichcanbefoundinsidesomeone’shouseaswellasoutdoors.Similarly,fleas,ticksandlicecanenterahouseviahumans,otherpets,byotheranimalsandthroughopenedwindowsanddoors.Itiscriticaltothelong-termhealthofyourpettoprotecthimagainstfleas(whichcanspreadtapeworms),ticks(whichcanspreadLymesDisease,EhrlichiaandAnaplasmosis),lice,intestinalparasites(worms)andheartworm.Flea/tick/lice,intestinalparasiteandheartwormrelateddiseasesareeasyandinexpensivetopreventcomparedtothedifficultyandexpensetotreatthem.

6. Ifyouspayorneuteryourdog,heorshewillgainweight

Dogsandotheranimalsdonotgainweightfromgettingspayedorneutered.Weightgainresultsfromapoordietandalackofexercise.Havingyourpetspayedorneuteredisoneofthegreatestgiftsyoucanprovideyourpetandfamily.Theseproceduresnotonlyhelpcontrolpetoverpopulation,butmayalsopreventmedicalandbehavioralproblemsfromdeveloping.Thisallowsyourpettolivealonger,healthierandhappierlife.

7. VeterinaryCareIsExpensive

Whileveterinarycareisnotalwayscheap,itisnotexpensivewhencomparedtohumanhealthcare.Considerthis:veterinariansgothroughamorewellroundedtrainingthandoctors,astheyarerequiredtobefamiliarwithmorethanjustonekindofanatomyandanimalspecies.Infact,mostveterinariansaretrainedtoperformorthopedicsurgery,gynecologicalandobstetricalsurgeries,intestinalsurgeries,minorurologicsurgery,oralsurgeries,andevenminorcardio-thoracicsurgeries.Theaccumulationofskillsinthelasttwoyearsofveterinaryschoolencompasseswhatmanyhumandoctorsacquireafter3or5yearsofpost-doctoralresidency.VeterinaryClinicsusuallycarrymoreequipmentthanaphysician’sofficeaswellsincetheyincludeoperatingsuites,therapeuticlasers,ultrasoundmachinesandotherexpensivepiecesofequipment.

Veterinaryclinicsareextremelyexpensivetorunandmaintainyetareabletochargeafractionofwhathumanmedicalinstitutionscharge!Pleasedon’tletanymisconceptionthatveterinarypricesareoverlyexpensivestopyoufromtakingyourpettoaveterinarian.Unlikeavisittothehospitalordoctor’soffice,agoodveterinaryclinicwillgiveyouanestimateofthecostbeforeyourpetreceivestreatment.Inall,itisimportantthatyouidentifywhichclinicsofferthebestservices,assimplyfindingthe“cheapest”practiceavailablecouldhavesignificantnegativehealtheffectsonyourbelovedpetandshouldactuallybea“redflag”.



7MistakesToAvoidWhenChoosingAVeterinarian

Letusletyouinonalittlesecret.Veterinarypracticesarenotverygoodattellingyouwhatmakesthemdifferentandwhyyoushouldspecificallychooseoneovertheother.YouonlyhavetolookintheYellowPagestoseethatalloftheadvertsforveterinarypracticesarevirtuallyidenticalandprovideyouverylittledetailtomakeaninformeddecision.Becauseofthedifficultyindecidingwhichveterinarypracticetochoose,thiscanresultinpetownersmakingamistaketheylatergoontoregret.Herearesevencommonmistakestoavoidwhenchoosingaveterinarypractice:

1. ChoosingaVeterinaryPracticethatcannotprovidetestimonialsAgoodveterinarypracticeshouldhavelotsofhappyclientswhohavebeensodelighted

withthelevelofcaretheirpethasreceived,andthelevelofserviceextendedtothemasclients,thattheyhaveprovidedatestimonialtoacknowledgethis.Sowhennarrowingdownyourchoicesthefirstthingyoushouldconsideristovisittheveterinarypractice’swebsiteandseeiftheyhaveanytestimonials.Alsotakealookatthereviewsfromtheirclientsonthewebsite.Howmanyreviewsdotheyhave?Hundreds?Maybeeventhousands??Whatpercentageoftheirclientswouldreferbacktothem?Thesemaybeintheformofscanned‘thank-you’cards,writtentestimonialswithphotographsorpossiblyvideotestimonialsfromtheactualclientsthemselves.Iftheydonothaveanytestimonialsorreviewsontheirwebsite,thenyoushouldbeaskingyourself“whynot?”

2. Nottakingatourofthepracticebeforeyoujoinwithyourpet

Itisimportanttovisittheclinicyouareconsideringbeforemakinganappointmentwithyourpet.Hopefully,theclinicyoueventuallychoosewillbeyourpet’sprimaryhealthcareproviderformanyyearstocome;thusbeforemakingadecision,youshouldrequestatourthatwayyoucanaskquestionsandfamiliarizeyourselfwiththehospitalwhilealsoensuringthatyourpetisgettingthebesttreatmentavailable.Thoughtheremaybetimesofthedaywhenatourisnotadvisable,agoodveterinarypracticeshouldbemorethanwillingtogiveyouatouroftheirfacility.Iftheyarenotwillingtoletyouseewhatgoesonbehindthescenes,thenyoushouldbeaskingyourself“whatdotheyhavetohide?”

3. Choosingthecheapestserviceandnot‘comparingappleswithapples’

Oneofthebiggestmistakespetownersmakeistocallseveralclinicsaskingforaquoteandthenchoosingtheclinicwiththecheapestprice.Inmanycases,thisistheclinic’sfaultfornotbeingclearonexactlywhatyouwillbegettingforyourmoney.Thisisbecausethepriceyouarequotedisnotalwaysforthesamelevelofservice,facilitiesandlevelofveterinaryexpertiseineachcase.Forexample,ifyourdogneedsaneuterorspay,thenyoumayfindsome‘cheap’clinicsofferingtheseservicesatapricethatisafractionofwhatotherclinicscharge.However,forthat‘cheap’price,theymaybeofferingaminimumqualityofcareandnotbeprovidingitemswewouldconsideressentialtothehealthandcomfortofyourpetduringsurgerysuchaspre-anestheticbloodwork,pulseoximetermonitoring,bloodpressuremonitoring,EKGmonitoring,CO2monitoring,painmanagement(bothduringandaftersurgery),intubation(awayofpreventingairwayobstruction),saferanesthetics,orpost-operativemonitoring.Andistheiranestheticequipmentandmonitoringequipmentworkingwellandregularly



maintained?Manypracticeshaveoutdatedsurgeryandsurgicalmonitoringequipmentthathasneverbeenproperlycaredfor.Wouldyouwantyourpetoperatedonunderthoseconditions?

Unlessyouhavenochoice,andwedounderstandthatsomepeopleareinlessfortunatefinancialsituations,youshouldneverfocusonjustthepricewhenchoosingyourpet’shealthcareprovider.Focusoncomparingveterinarypracticesbytheoveralllevelofpatientcareandclientexperienceandrememberthepracticeofferingthebestvalueforthemoneyisusuallynotthepracticeofferingthecheapestprices!

4. Choosingthepracticeclosesttohomejustbecausethey’retheclosest

Unlessyoudonothaveyourowntransport,convenienceoflocationshouldnotbethesolereasonforchoosingyourpet’shealthcareprovider.Afterall,it’snotasifyouwillbevisitingyourveterinarianseveraltimesaweeksodrivingafewextramilesmaybeworthittogetthestandardofcareyouwantforyourpet.Ofcourse,ifyouhavevisitedthepracticeclosesttohome,andtheyoffergreatpatientcare,greatfacilitiesandagreatclientexperience,thenconsideryourselfveryluckythatyoudon’thavetolookfurtherafield!

5. Choosingthepracticethatonlyoffersappointments

Weliveinaverybusysociety;forexample,mostMomshaveafull-timejobjustshippingtheirkidsbackandforthbetweenhome,school,soccerpractice,orwhereverelseitmaybe,sotakingtheirpettotheveterinarycliniccanbeanunwantedandstressfultime.Thisisespeciallysoiftheirexperienceattheirrespectiveveterinarypracticeisn’tagoodone.Becauseofthis,itcanbetemptingtochoosetheveterinarypracticethatwillonlyseeyoubyappointment.Ourpracticeworksonanon-appointmentsystem,whichmeanswewillseeyouwheneveritisconvenientforYOUandtakeaslongasisnecessarytoproperlytreatandcareforyouandyourpet.Comeinwhenyou’rereadyandwe’llbereadyforyou!Thereisnoclocktickingwhileyou’reinouroffice.WeworkstrictlyonYOURschedule;ourmainconcernisyourpet–notgettingtothenextscheduledappointment.Ofcourseifyouwouldliketoscheduleanappointment,wewillbemosthappytoaccommodateyou!

6. Waitinguntilyourpetissickbeforechoosingavet.

Theworsttimetolookforavetiswhenyoureallyneedone,soyoursafestoptionistoplanahead.Youcansavevaluable,andsometimeslife-saving,timeifyourpetisalreadyknowntothepracticewhentheybecomesick.Remember,justlikewhenyouvisitahumandoctor,yourveterinarianmayneedtoknowyourpet’smedicalhistorytohelpdiagnosetheproblemanddeterminethecorrectandsafetreatment.Waitinguntilyourpetissicktobringhimorherinwillnotonlydelaytreatmentbutcouldresultinyouchoosingthewrongveterinarianforyourpet.Also,bychoosingtherightvetaheadoftime,youmayactuallypreventyourpetfromgettingsickinthefirstplace!Ourpracticeadditionallyhasanafterhoursemergencydoctoroncallsothere’snoneedtogoelsewhereifyourpethasaproblemduringirregularbusinesshours.We’reherewhenyouneedus.



7. Notaskingtherightquestionsbeforeyouvisitwithyourpet.Inourexperience,mostpetownersconsidertheirpetasanextensionoftheirfamily–

their‘furryfour-leggedchild!’Additionally,ourpetsgivetheirloveunconditionallyanddeservetohavesuchhighstatusinreturn.Sowhenchoosingthehealthcareproviderforyourpet,doesn’titmakesensetobeaschoosyasyouwouldbeinchoosingthebestpediatricianororthodontistforyourchild?Asktheveterinarianyou’reconsideringtotellyouaboutthemostrecentveterinarycontinuingeducationseminarthey’vebeento.Ifit’sbeen6monthorlongersincethey’veupdatedtheirveterinaryknowledgeRUN!!Youneedtoaskquestionsinordertohavealltheinformationyouneedtocomparethepracticesyou’reconsidering.Tohelpyouout,wehaveincludedalistofquestionstoaskwithinthisguide.

12QuestionsYouMUSTAskAnyVeterinaryPracticeBEFOREYouVisitWithYourPet

Aswe’vejustsaid,oneofthebiggestmistakesyoucanmakeisnotaskingtherightquestions.Sohereare12questionsyoushouldaskanyveterinarypracticebeforeconsideringthelong-termhealthcareproviderofyourpet:

1. Doyouhaveanytestimonialsyoucanshowme?2. CanIcomeinwithoutanappointment?3. DoesyourpracticeofferaFREEmicrochiptoallnewpatients?4. Doyouhaveastaffveterinarian(emergencydoctor)oncallafterhours?5. DoyouhavespecialCatFriendlyareasjustforcats?6. DoyouhaveaBoardCertifiedDog/Catspecialistonstaff?7. Howmanyveterinariansareinthepractice?8. HowmuchContinuingEducationdoyourVeterinariansattendeachyear?9. AreX-rays,ultrasound,bloodwork,EKG,MRI/CTandotherdiagnosticsdonein-houseorreferred

toanotherpractice?10. Doyouofferboardingandgroomingservicesatyourfacility?11. Doyouhavestaffonpremisesovernighttomonitorin-househospitalizedandboarding

patients?12. DoyouofferdiscountedPreventativeCarePlans?

11ThingsYourVeterinarianMUSTRecommend,PerformandBelieveIn

Bewareofveterinarypracticesthatprovidealimitedservicejustsotheycanofferdiscountedpricesorthosewhoprescribeunnecessarytreatmentsthatyourpetmaynotneed.Agoodveterinarypracticeshouldalwayshavethehealthandwellbeingofyourpetastheirnumberoneconcernbutalsorespectthatyou,theowner,aretheonepayingthebill!Aswesaidintheprevioussection,oneofthequestionsyoushouldaskaprospectivehealthcareproviderforyourpetiswhattheyrecommend,performandbelievein.Tohelpyoucompare,hereareeleventhingswebelieveagoodveterinarypracticemustrecommend,performandbelieveforyourpettohavethelongest,healthiestandhappiestlifepossible:



1. RegularlyScheduledExamsThereasonthatyougoforanannualexamisbecauseeventhoughyourpetmightbelookinggreatontheoutsidetherecanbeunderlyingthingsgoingonthatcanonlybefoundbyhavingavisitwithaveterinarianalongwithaphysicalexamination.Frequentexamsareevenmoreimportantforpetsthanpeoplesinceitcansometimesbedifficultforpetstotellusiftheyarenotfeelingwell.Avisittoyourveterinariangivesthemthechancetoidentifysmallproblemsbeforetheybecomebigonesandputyourmindatease.

2. Spay/NeuterPetoverpopulationisabigproblemintheUnitedStates,sounlessyourpetcompetesinshowsorisusedforpedigreebreedingthereisnoreasonnottohavehimorherspayedorneutered.Infact,didyouknowthatsurgicallyalteredpetshavebeenfoundtohavefewermedicalproblemsandlivelonger,healthierlivesthanthosewhoarenot?Forinstance,femaledogsandcats,spayedbeforetheirfirstheatcycle,almostnevergetbreastcancer!Inaddition,behaviorisgenerallyimprovedbyspayingandneuteringand,despitewhatyoumayhaveheard,spayingandneuteringwillnotcauseyourpettogetfatorlazy.

3. MicrochippingDidyouknowthatgettinglostisthe#1causeofdeathforpets?Microchippingyourpet(s)providespeaceofmindandthebestchancetocomehome.Becauseitisimplantedintoyourpet,amicrochipismuchmorereliablethanacollarandtagasthereisnochanceitwillfalloff.Youshouldknowthatamicrochipdoesnothurtyourpetanddoesnotrequiresurgery.Itisaone-timeinsertion,verymuchlikeavaccineinjection.Itisdesignedtostayinthelocationwhereitwasinserted.Then,ifyourpeteverdoesgetlost,anyscannershouldbeabletoretrieveyourpet’sspecificidentificationnumber.AMicrochipprovidesthebestchanceforahappyhomecoming.ThatiswhyweprovideafreeMicrochiptoallnewpetsthatcomethroughourdoors!It’sourwayofcontributingtooverallpetsafetyandwellness.

4. ParasiteControlItisessentialthatyourpetbeprotectedagainstparasitesbecausenotonlycantheybefatalbutsomeparasitescanalsotransmitdiseasesthatareinfectioustohumans.YourveterinarianmustrecommendandofferprotectionforyourpetagainstbothInternalParasites(heartworms,intestinalworms)andExternalParasites(fleasandticks).Fleas(Tapeworms)andticks(Erlichia,Anaplasma,Lymesdisease)cantransmitanumberofseriousdiseasessopreventionisthebestmedicine.Rememberwhenyouprotectyourpetsagainstparasitesyou’realsoprotectingyourkids!Indoordogsandcatsneedprotectionjustasmuchasoutdoorpets.

5. VaccinationsVaccinationsarewidelyrecognizedasbeingcriticaltoprotectingourdogsandcatsfromlife-threateninginfectiousdisease.However,somevaccinesdonotneedtobetakenannuallyand,despitetheirbenefits,vaccinescanhaveadversesideeffectsandthereforemustbechosencarefully.Forthisreason,vaccinerecommendationsshouldbedesignedwiththeriskfactorsandlifestyleofeachindividualpet.



6. NutritionalCounselingOverhalfthedogsandcatsintheUSAareeitheroverweightorobesethusitisimportanttogetthecorrectadviceonwhatyoushouldbefeedingyourpet–takingintoaccountwhat’sappropriatetohisorherage,medicalconditionandlifestyle.Agoodveterinarypracticewilloffernutritionalcounselingforyourpetsothatyoucanensureheorshehasaproper,healthydiet.

7. RoutineBloodScreeningSomeillnessescanstayhiddenandundetectablewithoutbloodtestingsoproperlytimedandcarefullychosenlaboratorytestingisimportant.Forexample,pre-surgicalbloodtestsbeforeanyanestheticprocedure/surgeryandscreeningtestsateverywellnessexaminationafter7yrsofagecanhelpidentifyproblemsearlyandsaveyouexpenseandheartachelater.

8. PreventativeCarePlansPreventativeCarePlansareyourpetsandyourbestfriend.TheseplansincludeeverythingyourPetneedsduringthecourseoftheyearandarecustomtailoredforthelifestageofyourpet,allatasignificantdiscount.Ifyourpetisenrolled,youwillalsobeeligiblefordiscountsonmostotherservicesourhospitaloffers,likediagnostictests,x-rays,surgery,boardingandgrooming.It’sawin-winforYOUandyourpet!Inaddition,youNEVERhavetopayanofficevisitfee!Pleasefeelfreetovisitourwebsiteatwww.springbrookanimalcarecenter.comforfurtherdetailsabouttheselife-savingplans.

9. 24hoursADayEmergencyVeterinaryCare

Petstendtohaveanunfortunatehabitofchoosingatimeoutsideofnormalbusinesshourstohaveamedicalemergency!Therefore,itisvitalthattheveterinarypracticeyouchooseoffersaccesstoveterinarycare24hours/7daysaweekandisnotsendingyouelsewhereforthisvitalservice.

10. Communication/EducationAgoodveterinarypracticeunderstandsthatinformationmustbeprovidedtoclientsinawaytheyunderstandandensurethatclientsaren’tleavingtheexamroomconfusedorwithunansweredquestions.Afterall,howcanyoumakedecisionsaboutthehealthofyourpetifyoudonotunderstandtheentirescopeofwhat’sgoingon?Agoodveterinarypracticeshouldalsoprovideyouwiththeinformationyouneedtocareofyourpet.Thismeanskeepingyouup-to-datewithusefulandimportantinformationbeyondtheregularannualappointmentforyourpet.Makesureyouveterinarypracticealsooffersyouanon-linepetportal,sothatyoucanseeyourpet’smedicalrecordsrightfromtheconvenienceofyourcomputerorsmart-phone.

11. RespectforyourTimeandWallet

Goodveterinarycareisn’talwayscheapbutagoodveterinarypracticeshouldprovideestimatesforanyservicetheyprovideandhavepaymentoptionsthatwillhelpyougetthetreatmentyourpetneedswhilemaintainingarespectforyourfinances.Agoodpracticeshouldalsorespectyourtimesothatvisitstotheofficerunpromptlyandyouareneverleftwaitingfortoolong.



Howeverwealsoaskyoutorecognizethatmedicalandsurgicalcasescanbetimeconsumingtoworkupandtreat,andgreatcareandservicetaketime,soalwaysallowampletimewhenyouplantocomein!AveterinaryhospitalisMUCHdifferentthanafastfoodrestaurant!Yourveterinarianshouldalsobeabletoofferyouseveraloptionsfortreatment,astherearetypicallyseveraldifferentwaystohandleoneproblem.

4RecommendationsForChoosingTheRightVeterinaryPracticeForYourPet

1. Doyourresearch.Lookatthewebsitesofeachpracticeandseeiftheycanprovidetestimonialsandreviewsfromtheirclients(preferablyvideotestimonials)toprovetheyarewhotheysaytheyare.Iftheycan’tkeeptheirexistingclientshappy,thenwhywouldyoufareanybetter?

2. Askquestions!Unlessyoumoveoutofthearea,youshouldbelookingtofindaveterinarypracticethatwillbethelong-termhealthcareproviderforyourpet.Youdonotwanttoenterintoalong-termrelationshipwithoutbeingsurethatthepracticeyouchoosecanmeetyourneedssoaskquestions.Askthemwhattheyrecommend,performandbelievein.Theyshouldbewillingandhappytoanswerallofyourquestions.

3. Visitthepractice.Askforatourofthepracticebeforeyoumakeanappointmentforyourpet.Isthestafffriendly?Dotheymakeyouwaitlong?Isthepracticecleanandorganized?Isiteasytopark?Ifyoudon’tfeelcomfortablewhenyouvisitwithoutyourpet,howdoyouthinkyouwillfeelwhenyouvisitwithyourpet?

4. Planyourfirstvisit.Onceyouthinkyouhavefoundtherightveterinarypractice,stopbytovisitwithyourpetandseeiftheprocessisasseamlessasitshouldbe.Isthestaffasfriendlyonthetelephoneastheywereinthepractice?Getthenames,phonenumbersandemailaddressesofthepracticeownersandmanagerthatwayifyouhaveanyfutureconcernsyoucangotothemdirectlyandgetyourquestionsansweredbysomeoneincharge,notjustasalariedemployee.

Byfollowingthesefourrecommendations,you'llgainalltheinformationyouneedtomakeaninformed,intelligentdecision.Ifyouarejustlookingforthecheapestcarepossible,thenweareprobablynotagoodfitforyouandthereareotherveterinaryhospitalsthatcanhelpyou.

Butifyouwantfirst-classcareforyourpetandanexceptionalclientexperience,thenweinviteyoutocallusandarrangeatourofourpractice.

We'llbehappytoansweryourquestionswithoutobligationofanykind.Toreachus,call630-428-0500andasktospeakdirectlytoDr.Timmonsoroneofourotherfineveterinarians,orourofficemanagerLeslie.Iftheyarenotimmediatelyavailable,pleaseleaveamessageandoneofuswillcallyoubackpromptly.



Thankyouverymuchforreadingandlistening.Wehopeyoufoundthisveterinaryconsumermessagehelpful.Ifyouhavequestionsorcomments,orifyou'dliketoscheduleafreepracticetour,pleasecallusat630-428-0500

OnbehalfofeveryoneatSpringbrookAnimalCareCenter--Wethankyouforyourkindattention.

Dr.MatthewTimmonsDr.ToddPrince,DiplomateABVPDr.SandraFaehDr.TomStaudacherLeslieShibovichSpringbrookAnimalCareCenterCheckoutourwebsiteatwww.springbrookanimalcarecenter.comforournewclientoffers.SpringbrookAnimalCareCenter2759ForgueAvenueNapervilleIL60564Tel:(630)530-1900Email:[email protected]:www.springbrookanimalcarecenter.com

the conscientious pet owner’s guide to choosing the right ... · in fact, most veterinarians are...

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