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Veterinarians in Boston (or anywhere) are an indispensible resource for pet owners. After all, nothing is worse than having a sick puppy or an injured kitty. Boston, Massachusetts vets both doctor and nurse our pets back to good health. Let's face it: our animals are part of the family. We want them to be as healthy and as happy as possible. But don't wait for an injury or a sickness to strike before finding a vet. That's because finding a quality veterinarian or veterinary hospital can be a daunting task. Granted, there are times when you'll have to use an emergency vet clinic or seek emergency vet help, but for your other veterinarian needs it's best to be prepared.
Begin your search as soon as you can. Ask around for names of reputable veterinarians. Once you've found one, call them up, and schedule a visit. You'll want to tour their facilities and interview the vet about their veterinary services and philosophies. Make sure their veterinary hospital is clean, the staff is friendly, and the kennels are warm and comfortable.
Massachusetts is home to the second-oldest humane society in the United States, MSPCA-Angell. This private, non-profit organization provides animal protection and veterinary medicine for tens of thousands of animals a year. The group runs the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston and the cutting edge pet hospital at Angell-Nantucket Island. Keep the MSPCA in mind as they are a great resource for your pet care needs.
Whether you need a dog vet or a cat clinic, there are many great options in the Boston, MA area from which you can choose. Just make sure you're prepared. That way, when you actually need to use the services of veterinary clinics, you won't have to waste time scouring the internet for a name and number. Bottom line, if you do your homework you'll find one of the many quality Veterinarians Boston has to offer.
How to Choose a Veterinarian
For a lot of pet owners, their little buddies are part of the family. Such is the bond between pet and person that choosing a veterinarian is on par in importance with selecting a personal physician. Because there are so many veterinary clinics to choose from in Boston, doing research and asking for referrals are important steps in the process of elimination. As the Humane Society says, “A veterinarian is your pet's second-best friend.”
No one wants to be caught in a lurch needing a vet and not having one, so it's good to find a provider before the need actually arises. According to the Humane Society, some of the considerations for finding the right vet for you and your pet are competence, caring, location, cost, facilities, certification, and staff. They suggest asking neighbors, friends, dog walkers, groomers, and the like for recommendations.
If you and your animal prefer a particular style of care, factor that into your decision-making process. Vets specializing in holistic treatments, chiropractic, behavior issues, large animals, birds, exotics, and more are available in Boston.
The Humane Society lists these criteria for evaluation of a veterinary clinic:
- Is the facility clean, comfortable and well-organized?
- Are appointments required?
- How many veterinarians are in the practice?
- Are there technicians or other professional staff members?
- Are dog and cat cages in separate areas?
- Is the staff caring, calm, competent and courteous, and do they communicate effectively?
- Do the veterinarians have special interests such as geriatrics or behavior?
- Are X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, EKG, endoscopy and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?
- Which emergency services are available?
- Is location and parking convenient?
- Do fees fit your budget, and are discounts for senior citizens or multi-pet households available?
How to Be a Good Patient
Just like with human health, preventive care is key. Make sure to schedule regular wellness appointments for your pet to ensure optimal health. Paying close attention to your animal's normal behavior patterns will help you know when something is off.
When symptoms do arise, seek care immediately. Oftentimes, pet owners wait too long to enlist medical assistance which can cause unnecessary stress on the animal and even lead to a preventable death.
Most Boston veterinary clinics require cats to be in carriers and dogs on leashes when brought in for appointments. Being mindful of your pet's tendencies in the company of other animals can help avoid troublesome scenarios in the waiting room.
Generally, your primary care vet will not be located at an emergency facility. For this reason, it's critical to your pet's health and safety to know where the nearest emergency care clinic is located. It's even better to have their phone number programmed into your cell phone. This sort of preparation is invaluable in a true crisis.
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