One of the most crucial and important of decisions a pet-parent makes it that of choosing a vet. It is the vet who will understand your pet when he gets ill and care enough to practice what is now popular as preventive health care.

Never choose a vet because he has a nice smile or a beautiful office or is cheap. Choose a vet who thinks about your pet the same as you do and always keeps the best interest of the pet ahead of all other considerations. The vet must love the breed that your pet is and:

Be kind and gentle when handling the dog. He must not leave diagnosis or check ups to assistants.

He must always stay ahead of developments in medicine and update his skills and knowledge constantly.

The vet must be able to stand by you through thick and thin and proffer timely advice.

The clinic must be spik and spank and have space for overnight stay with clean kennels, space to run, and staff who love animals.

It is ideal if the clinic is located close to your home and if it offers health care plans for your pet.

Ask the clinic if they have emergency contact numbers so that you can call if an unforeseen problem occurs in the middle of the night or on a public holiday.

Check if the clinic has specialists consulting with them like orthopedic doctors and eye specialists.

As a concerned pet parent you must make a list of questions you need answers to. And spend a little time on finding out whether you would be more comfortable with an allopathic vet represented by the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA or a holistic vet represented by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, AHVMA.

While allopathic vets practice conventional medicine, a holistic vet will use medicinal herbs, nutritional changes or supplements, vitamins, and enzymes, chiropractic manipulations, homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, as well as massages for treatment. And, if need be they will prescribe allopathic medicines. They try and treat the cause not just the symptoms of any ailment.

It is essential for you to choose a vet who will work along your side in caring for the pet. He must be patient, love the animal, and make time to explain things to you as well as take your opinion of things. After all, no one can know your pet better than you. A vet must care for the pet for at least 10-15 years. He must be organized and maintain health records in great detail from the day the pet is born to the day it dies.

A pet will lead a complete existence only if you, the vet, and trainer work in harmony and side by side. So, choosing a suitable vet is an important decision that must be done after weighing all the pros and cons.