Pets are like any other member of your family, so it makes sense you would treat and take care of them as such. Just like people, animals need to see doctors from time to time. Whether in need of a vaccine, neutering, or emergency care, there are many reasons why you might need to visit a veterinarian clinic.
According to Anthony S. Johnson of Plainfield, Illinois, just as you would have a family doctor for your child, you should have a family veterinarian for your pet. Dr. Johnson is a veterinarian who received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1996.
Since becoming Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) in 2003, he has filled a myriad of professional roles including Critical Care Specialist, Co-Head of the Emergency Department, and Head of the Emergency Department in veterinary centers across the United States.
Dr. Johnson, whose career has taken him to both Carmel, Indiana, and Plainfield, Illinois, has several decades of experience as a family veterinarian. He has witnessed firsthand that in addition to simply having somewhere to take your beloved pet in case of emergency, there are so many benefits to having a family vet that sees you regularly and that knows your pet.
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Benefits Of Having A Family Veterinarian
Anthony S. Johnson, who has spent time as a veterinarian in both Carmel, Indiana, and Plainfield, Illinois, believes there are three main benefits to be derived from having a family veterinarian: cost, quality, and comfort.
First, having a family veterinarian that you take your pet to time and time again is considerably less expensive than having to take your pet to the emergency room every time there is something wrong. There’s no denying that ERs are expensive, for both humans and animals. In part, due to the fact that they are open 24/7, they have very high overhead costs. Thus, using the ER for your pet’s medical needs doesn’t really make much sense financially.
The second benefit is quality. The quality of care you will get from a veterinarian that you see regularly and that knows your pet well is going to be much more consistent than what you will receive at an ER or other clinic you’ve never been to before.
Vets that see certain animals regularly know their cases like the back of their hand. Therefore, if something is wrong, they will be in a much better position to figure out what that is and what could be causing it. In addition, preventative care is key and that is something that family veterinarians can provide, not emergency rooms. Preventative treatments like vaccines and dental cleanings are crucial to the health of your pet, ensuring they live a life as long and healthy as possible.
Finally, comfort is another aspect to consider when debating whether to find a family veterinarian. There is nothing more stressful than your pet getting sick and you panicking to look up the nearest pet hospital, shares Anthony S. Johnson. That is where a family veterinarian comes in.
Providing peace of mind and an automatic place to phone in case of emergencies, family vets are there for you and take some stress out of an already highly stressful situation. Plus, going back to the quality of care they provide, you can trust that they will look after your pet and do everything in their power to help them. Knowing who to call and that the people you’re calling are already familiar with your pet’s health will make the situation much easier.
Anthony S. Johnson On The Services Offered By A Family Veterinarian
There are many different services offered by a family veterinarian that will ensure your pet remains as healthy as possible throughout its life, shares Anthony S. Johnson. While these services may be offered by many if not all veterinarians, your family veterinarian will be able to assess your pet’s needs and go above and beyond to ensure they are offered the best care.
- Vaccines: According to Anthony S. Johnson, just like humans there are many diseases animals can now be inoculated against through vaccinations. Your family veterinarian will help you choose the right vaccines for your pet. Vaccines exist for diseases like rabies and Leptospirosis. Most pets should receive their first set of vaccinations between six and nine weeks old. Typically, additional vaccinations are provided every two to four weeks until the animal reaches 16 weeks old. From that point on, regular booster vaccinations are typically administered less frequently.
- Spay/Neuter: Another service that family veterinarians provide is spaying and neutering. Spaying and neutering your dog or cat might not seem like a necessity, but in most cases, it is, especially if you have a female pet and want to prevent puppies or kittens from being born. Although the possibility of a puppy might seem like a good idea, the reality is that most of the puppies and kittens born each year end up in shelters or euthanized. Thus, by spaying or neutering your pet, you can improve your animal’s overall health and prevent unwanted animals from being born.
- Dentistry: Again, just like humans, dental health is important in animals. Many family veterinarians offer dentistry services. Routine dental maintenance is critical to your animal’s overall health as it can prevent them from getting any oral diseases. Anthony S. Johnson asserts that it is all too common for a pet’s infection to start in their mouth and end up traveling through their bloodstream and spreading to other vital parts of the body. In order to ensure that minor concerns don’t become major ones, dentistry is an important service that should be taken advantage of.
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