Choosing the Right Veterinarian for Your Senior Pet

One of the most important people in your pet’s life will be their vet - second to you, of course! Whether it’s their nutrition and exercise, or their overall health and wellbeing, the right vet is essential to your pet having as happy and healthy life as possible. The right vet becomes even more important as your pal becomes older and their needs change and become more complex. 

Choosing the right vet for your senior pet can be stressful but we’re here to help. Here is a guide to the things to think about and ask when deciding on the best person to support you in caring for your pet as they approach their later years. 

Experience with Senior Pets 

This may seem obvious, but it’s very important to be clear on how much experience a vet has caring for senior pets. Is it mentioned on their website or social media? Is it called out in their reviews? You could even reach out directly and ask about their experience. Senior pets often have unique needs, such as arthritis, dental disease, kidney disease or cognitive decline. Your vet being knowledgeable in diagnosis, management and treatment of common health issues for senior pets will be essential. 

Specialisation 

You may be surprised to know just how many different types of vets there are. There may be a particular specialisation of vet that is best suited to your pet’s needs. Or there may even be a need for your pet to have a team of vet specialists, that you visit as needed for different issues. Some examples include: 

• Geriatric Specialists: If we’re talking about experience in senior pets, this is the top of the list. Vets that specialise in geriatrics will have additional training and experience in managing issues that are more commonly experienced by older pets.
• Orthopaedic Specialists: For older pets with mobility issues due to arthritis or other musculoskeletal problems, these specialists can provide tailored care and pain management. 
• Dental Specialists: If your senior pet requires advanced dental care because of the likes of periodontal disease, opt for a vet with dental expertise.   

Good reputation 

Ask around your network and neighbourhood and see who comes highly recommended. If you are new to an area or don’t have many local friends or family, you could try posting on community groups on social media, asking your local pet shop, or even striking up a conversation at your local park with a fellow dog owner. Even better if they’re also a senior pet parent. Don’t forget to keep an ear out for anyone you should steer clear of too! 

Convenient location and hours 

As your pet grows older, the trip to the vet may become more difficult, particularly if they have mobility issues or are more sensitive to the sights and sounds of the car ride. The trips may also become more frequent, so the last thing you want is to have to travel long distances regularly. Look for a vet that is nearby home, and has operating hours that work well for your lifestyle and schedule. It’s also worth checking what system is in place for after hours and emergency care, as this can become vital peace of mind with an ageing pet. 

Cost & Payment Options 

Get an understanding of a potential vet’s fee structure for routine appointments and indicative costs for more specialised treatment that is most relevant to your pet, and emergency care. Also ask about any options for payment plans or pet insurance cover, as this can also help manage pet care expenses, especially the unexpected ones. 

Continuity of care 

While you can’t always predict this, ideally choose a vet who can provide consistent care for your pet as they get older. Asking your network could help with determining if your vet is likely to be at their current practice for an extended period of time. For instance, does the vet live locally, or perhaps they’re the business owner? Having a long-term vet makes for a better and more familiar experience for your senior pet, as well as a healthcare professional who knows and understands your pet’s health history. 

Relationship with You & Your Pet 

Last but certainly not least - do you and your pet like the vet? See if you are able to do a ‘get to know you’ initial appointment as this can be a great way to see if you (and most importantly, your pet) feel comfortable around the vet. Making sure that you feel like you’re going to be listened to, and have your preferences respected is essential, particularly when you are making bigger health care decisions as your pet ages. 

Depending on the life stage and health of your senior pet, it can be important to have a clear understanding of your vet’s philosophies on things such as pain management, treatments for terminal illness or euthanasia. Particularly as your pet approaches their final days, you want to make sure that you and their vet are on the same page and they can provide high quality care that is in line with your values. 

At the end of the day, you want the very best care for your senior pet. It can feel overwhelming to choose the right vet to help you navigate the unique health needs of your ageing pal. However, the peace of mind and quality of life that can come from finding the right vet for your pet makes it all worth it.