Animal Hospitals
Pet hospital basics for pet owners
All pet owners should be familiar with the differences between animal hospitals and veterinary clinics. While nobody wants to anticipate something unfortunate ever happening to their pets, being prepared in advance can mean the difference between life and death.
One main difference between a clinic and a hospital is the operating hours. Clinics tend to be open only during regular business hours, while veterinary hospitals usually offer extended hours or round-the-clock service for animal emergency care. Pet hospitals are also staffed by specialists with the expertise to deal with acute symptoms from illness or injury. Last, animal hospitals also provide premium-quality surgery, medicine and dentistry for cats, dogs, small mammals, reptiles and birds.
Choosing an Animal Hospital
While it is important to choose a veterinarian you trust for regular checkups, it's also a good idea to locate an animal hospital close to you that offers extended hours and emergency service, in case the worst should happen to your pet. In the event of an emergency, you won't have to worry about choosing a pet hospital and finding directions while your pet is sick.
Choosing an animal hospital requires more than arbitrarily picking the first one you find in the phone book. Call them up and ask if it's possible to tour their facilities. If they refuse to do any tours, you may wish to think twice before using their services. Most animal hospitals should have no trouble planning a tour in advance so they can show you their labs, kennels and even operating rooms. When you're on a tour of this sort, you'll want to look for a clean work environment, professional staff and technicians and well-maintained equipment.
While you're there, it's a good idea to find out what type of payment options they accept and whether they are a member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Pet hospitals that are accredited by the AAHA have to meet strict standards and are regularly inspected; these are just a few of the areas they oversee:
- Customer service
- Emergency services
- Patient care
- Medical records
- Surgery and anesthesia
- Maintenance and cleanliness
Animal Hospitals Costs
While animal hospitals provide essential and often life-saving services for your pets, they are not cheap. Having round-the-clock facilities staffed with specialists and state-of-the-art technology is expensive, so visiting a pet hospital should be a last resort. You'll only want to visit during an emergency or if you've been referred by your pet's regular animal doctor.
