Most veterinary clinics in Helvetia, WV are
bound by specific hours. However, a vet hospital isn't. They are a 24 hour
medical facility that responds to all types of pet emergencies at any time
of the day or night. Pet emergencies often times occur out of the blue and
at unexpected times. Due to this, pet owners in Helvetia view animal
hospitals with admiration and the peace of mind that good pet care is just
around the corner no matter the time and how dire the situation. Most
general practices provide some emergency care, some dedicated clinics in
null, null specialize in emergencies only, and other pet health care
facilities provide a spectrum of services, including emergency care. About
15 percent of small animal practices in the U.S. are accredited by the American
Animal Hospital Association, a voluntary program that has stringent
requirements for care, service and medical protocol.
Trained Pet Doctors in Helvetia, West Virginia
Speaking of good pet care, a Helvetia veterinary hospital is just as
good as the staff and doctors that operate it. The same goes for vet
clinics as well. However a hospital employs a larger staff and has more
experienced specialists in its fleet capable of handling all pet
emergencies. If your pet has a specific medical condition or disease, it
is always a good idea to check with the local null veterinary hospital
for all the types of pet services they provide. A pet's health and well
being is the pet owner's responsibility and in situations like these it is
always advisable to be prepared for both the expected and the unexpected. Training
among veterinarians also varies. Although specialty training is not
required to administer emergency and critical care, some vets pursue
internships or residency programs to obtain additional experience. Some
also become Diplomates of the American
College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, which
requires an additional three years of intense training in treating
life-threatening conditions after receiving a Doctorate of Veterinary
Medicine.
Full Service Emergency Vet Helvetia
Most veterinary clinics in Helvetia simply do not have the
right equipment to conduct detailed scans and x-rays on a pet. Hence they
always recommend that a pet be examined at a hospital for any serious
medical condition or symptoms. A veterinary hospital can accommodate
different types of pets. They have the capability to conduct in-depth
brain scans and X-rays of all parts of the body to identify potential
fractures, broken bones and/or diseases.Whatever type of
provider you choose for your pet, be warned that emergency services might
take a chunk out of your wallet. Veterinarians and members interviewed for
this story acknowledged that emergency care for pets can be quite costly
due to factors like round-the-clock staffing; technology that may include
ultrasound machines, oxygen cages or fluid pumps; and medicine or
supplies. The costs for care vary depending on the case, but most require
a fee for the initial exam.At the Helvetia Pet Emergency
Clinic, the base fee is $79, but $110 is not uncommon in West Virginia. The
American Veterinary Medical Association says there is no standard model
for the industry, but some emergency vets require payment before
treatment. Thirty-four percent of poll respondents reported paying between
$251 and $500 for an emergency visit. Sixteen percent spent as much as
$1,000 or more.
Areas that we cover in West Virginia
We have emergency veterinarian clinics in cities all across the nation.
Call us right now and we will simplify your selection process and get
your pet's treatment started right away.
Veterinarian Around Me Helvetia West Virginia
How to Find a Great Veterinarian For Your Cat
Whether you have recently moved, adopted a new cat or kitten, or are having some concerns about your current veterinarian—finding the very best health care available for your cat is one of the most important decisions you can make for them. While there are many excellent veterinary practices out there, there are also significant differences between practices, so you want to carefully evaluate and choose a veterinarian that meets your expectations and one you can feel comfortable with. Overall, you want to look for a practice that offers the highest level of standards, medical expertise and quality of care possible in an office that offers both modern diagnostic and state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology.
Here are 10 important qualities to look for in a good veterinary clinic:
Good business acumen to manage a successful practice
Excellent communication skills with an ability to clearly explain your cat’s medical needs, diagnosis and appropriate treatment
Compassion for both you and your cat
Dedication to the veterinary profession; takes continuing education courses and attends conferences to keep up with the latest medical recommendations, procedures and techniques
Excellent decision making skills—able to make accurate diagnosis’s and quick, effective decisions in emergency situations
Thorough knowledge of cat anatomy, ailments, diseases and behaviors
Good manual dexterity to be able to perform the intricate movements required in surgery
Passion for animals and a commitment to providing the highest level of veterinary care possible
Excellent time management skills to balance a demanding schedule
Good customer service skills that satisfy your needs
Here are some more important considerations to help you evaluate a good veterinary practice:
AAHA Accreditation
One of the first things to look for in your evaluation is whether the practice is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (). For a veterinary practice to be accredited they must meet the rigorous standards established by the AAHA, and then continue to meet them on an annual basis. Participation is voluntary, so accredited vets set themselves apart from practices that have not volunteered to be evaluated by the AAHA. This demonstrates the practice is striving to maintain the highest level of standards possible. To find a list of accredited veterinary clinics in your area go to the website or call the veterinarian’s office.
Check the Internet — BBB, Yelp, and Consumer Opinion Websites
Another way to evaluate and find a good veterinary practice is to look at what clients are saying about the veterinary clinic and whether they have any complaints. You can visit the (BBB), , , and consumer report websites for client’s feedback, complaints and personal experience.
Get a Personal Recommendation
Talk with cat professionals (groomers, cat rescue group volunteers, etc.) and friends who you think take good care of their cats–for their personal recommendation.
Conduct a Phone Interview
To find and evaluate a new practice, call the clinic and ask some preliminary questions to see if the practice meets your needs. If the phone interview goes well, then schedule an in-person visit to see the clinic and interview the veterinarian. Here are a few questions to ask before you make an in-person appointment:
How many veterinarians are in the practice? Are any board-certified specialists? If yes, in what areas?
What are the clinic / hospital hours? Do they have evening and/or weekend hours?
How many licensed or certified veterinary technicians are on staff? Do they have assistants for support? (The more licensed technicians, the better for your cat’s care.)
In case of emergencies, is there a dedicated surgeon on schedule daily?
Is major surgery performed at the clinic?
Does the practice refer to veterinary specialists for more advanced care? If so, in what situations would they refer patients? What care facilities or specialist’s offices in the area do they refer patients to?
Does the practice offer overnight hospitalization? How are patients monitored overnight? Is there a dedicated overnight employee? Or is the patient referred to an emergency hospital or another facility?
What is the cost of a routine wellness exam? What is the cost of a blood test, urine test, X-ray, ultrasound, and dental cleaning?
Does the practice do X-rays, ultrasounds, EKGs, blood panels?
What is the veterinarian’s vaccine protocol?
Schedule an Office Visit
If the clinic passes your phone interview, then the next step is to visit the clinic to meet the staff, see the facility and meet with the veterinarian. Have your checklist of questions prepared in advance and be ready to pay the cost of a routine wellness exam for your office visit. Some veterinarians may not charge you for a preliminary visit. Explain to the office staff that you’re in the process of evaluating some practices in your area. Here are some suggested questions to help you evaluate the clinic:
Is the office clean, neat, and organized?
Is the staff friendly, professional and competent?
Are all the examining rooms clean and sanitary?
Is record keeping thorough, detailed and complete? Can you get a copy after an appointment? Do they use computerized medical records?
Do they have modern, state-of-the-art equipment—essential are blood pressure equipment, PCV centrifuge (for measuring cat’s red blood cell level), pulse oximeter (to measure oxygen levels), and radiology equipment for X-rays (look for the newest is digital radiography).
Does the veterinary practice follow proper, recommended surgical techniques including wearing sterile clothing, gloves, mask, cap and scrubs to prevent infection?
Are patients evaluated prior to surgery with a complete physical exam?
Does the vet require a blood panel before anesthesia? (This reduces risk to the patient.)
Is proper pain management and pain medications dispensed to control pain following surgery while in the hospital and to take home with you? Check the type of pain medications used.
What are the practice’s anesthetic procedures? What types of modern gas anesthetics are used? The current standard prior to surgery is to use one of the modern types of gas anesthesia (either isofluran or sevoflurane, not halothane. Injectable sedation is only advised for quick procedures.)
Does the vet use an intravenous (IV) catheter under anesthesia? (This is critical for anesthetic emergencies to have it in place to deliver life-saving drugs and fluids, if needed.)
Does the vet intubate the patient under anesthesia, which increases the oxygen level and can help with breathing?
What type of monitoring equipment is used under anesthesia? Is this equipment used routinely under anesthesia?
Hopefully from all of your research you have found an excellent veterinary clinic—one that you feel comfortable entrusting your cat’s care to and feel 100% satisfied with the high level of health care provided.
Reference: Murray, Louise D.V.M., Vet Confidential, An Insider’s Guide to Protecting Your Pet’s Health, New York City, Ballantine Books, 2009. Print.