If you’re visiting Sweetgrass English Bulldogs, one of the two below scenarios probably applies to you:
1. You’ve just welcomed home your new English Bulldog puppy and you need to find a vet in your area. He or she is going to need shots, exams, and heartworm prevention and you’re not sure where to go. Should you just go to the closest vet? Should you go where your breeder recommends?
2. You have one (or two, or MORE!) English Bulldogs at home already. They may be puppies or adults, but regardless, you’re unhappy with your current veterinarian and you need to find someone else. Should I find the cheapest one? How about the one with the most experience?
If either of these sound like you, you’re in the right place!
This article will discuss how you, a new (or experienced) English Bulldog owner, should start the arduous task of searching for a new veterinarian.
Editor’s Note: Sweetgrass English Bulldogs is in the greater Charleston, SC area. Head on over to our “Contact” page for a list of local veterinarians we work with consistently and who we recommend to care for your beloved fur-babies!
Choosing a veterinarian for your English Bulldog is a serious decision. Take into consideration location, age, medical conditions, surgeries, and price – the task of finding a good vet becomes extremely difficult! Each dog has different veterinarian needs which should be taken into consideration before starting your search.
First, start with referrals
Talk to everyone you know that owns a dog and find out who they use and who they are willing to recommend. From this list, narrow down the veterinarians that have experience in, or specialize in, caring for English Bulldogs. Your breeder will be very knowledgeable in local veterinarians that are familiar with English Bulldogs and the common problems they experience. Groomers and fellow bulldog owners are also a great resource when trying to narrow down your search. Be careful of general hospitals like those located in pet stores – while they happily state they have experience with English Bulldogs, this breed requires specific care that general animal hospitals may not be experienced with.
Call and Visit Local Veterinarians
Reputable veterinarians should have no issues answering any questions you have regarding the level of care you should expect to receive. If you don’t get the answers you need from the receptionist or front desk attendant, ask to speak (or leave a message) with a licensed veterinarian. Inquire about things like the type of services they provide, their hours of operation, their prescription writing and pick-up policy, and their procedures for after-hours emergency. Also, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian questions about the amount of time they have been licensed and their applicable experience, how long they have been at this specific hospital or clinic, and how many licensed techs and assistance are at the office at any given time.
The more specific answers you can ask, the better. Some veterinarians will even offer a tour of their facility so you can better learn about the conditions and the types of procedures that are performed on-site. Do they have anything in place for specialty referrals? What happens if you aren’t satisfied with the quality of service they perform? These are all common inquiries that English Bulldog owners have, and any professional and reputable veterinary clinic will be happy to address your concerns.
Price is Important
Bulldogs are known to be an expensive breed to care for and maintain. There are many breed-specific issues that English Bulldogs are known for, and it’s easy for a bulldog owner to get overwhelmed with fees. There are also many veterinarians that see English Bulldog owners as a steady stream of income, so it’s important for bulldog parents to be aware and cautious of vets that can take advantage of their wallets. Also, watch out for vets that charge prices that are much lower than average – you may not be getting the quality of care you expect, and you could be putting your dog’s life at risk. Do not forget that you are always entitled to an explanation of the services provided before you are expected to pay. Always be sure to discuss the fees, costs of services rendered, and payment plans so you know what to expect when you walk in the door. You should also expect to receive a written quote for surgeries without pressure of signing any checks. Lots of planning and research are you best tools to prevent being swindled by a vet or getting sub-par care for your bulldog.
Location, Location, Location
If you found a great vet that lives several hours away, are you prepared for an emergency? What happens if you need to see a vet sooner than the time it takes you to travel? Along with transparency and price, the location of your veterinarian’s office is an important factor. Be sure you have the information & address for the closest emergency veterinarian in the event you need urgent care – especially if your vet does not offer care for emergencies. It’s also a good idea to find a vet close to your home that offers after-hours and emergency care in the event you need to get to an office ASAP. Having multiple vets in your contact list is a great way to prepare for issues that may arise.
The information in this post expresses the opinion and recommendations of the owner of Sweetgrass English Bulldogs. This information should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinarian advise, and Sweetgrass English Bulldogs is not responsible or liable for any loss or damages as a result of implementation or instructions of the above article. Sweetgrass English Bulldogs is not a licensed veterinarian, does not claim to be, and the information contained in this article should not be accepted as such. Please use common sense and contact your veterinarian if you are concerned with issues affecting your bulldog.
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