3 Things to Consider Before Your Next Vet Visit

Working with animals

Pets can be a human’s best friend. They essentially become part of the family. And just like people, they get medical checkups too in order to make sure they are healthy and there aren’t any concerns. But what are some things you should consider before your next vet visit? 

It’s important to make the most out of your vet visit. Why? Well one reason is because you are paying for it, but also you are trying to make sure your pet is getting the best care possible. Because vet visits are helpful for your pet’s overall health, it is good to think about what you might need for your next visit. Maybe you are not sure what kind of documents you need to take to the vet. Or maybe you are worried about how to share your concerns to the doctor about a skin condition that exists on your dog. And with that, you might be wondering what is the best pet insurance that will help meet the needs of your pet and control vet care costs. Coming to the vet prepared can help you and your pet get the most out of the care you are getting. Below are some things you should consider before your next vet visit. 

What Should I Bring to the Vet?

If it’s your first time taking your animal to the vet, you might be wondering what you should take with you. Or maybe it isn’t your first time, but this time you want to come more prepared by bringing helpful things with you. It’s important to consider what you may need to bring. If you are transferring vets, it’s important to bring medical records with you so the new vet has everything they need to assess and treat your pet. Also, if your dog has any medications, bringing those with you can be helpful for the vet to gain more understanding about your pet and what it is taking. A stool sample may be necessary if you have concerns about blood in the stool or possible parasites. Vets need a stool sample to run tests and confirm if your pets have any concerns. 

If you are concerned about a specific behavior in your dog, it is helpful to bring a video recording that can show the behavior if you are uncertain that they will be able to notice something in a veterinary office. Some other things you may need to consider bring with you are:

  • Pictures of food and treats
  • Urine sample
  • List of questions to ask your veterinarian

What is the Best Pet Insurance?

It is possible that you are wondering what the best pet insurance is for your animal. You most certainly want the best care for them. And maybe in your research it is hard to find the best pet insurance. There are a few different options out there, but some things you want to consider when looking for the best pet insurance are:

  • Is there an upper age limit
  • Does the insurance work for any vet
  • What’s the reimbursement rate
  • What does it cover

Finding a pet insurance that doesn’t have an age limit is great if you have an older pet that needs care. It’s also important to consider getting pet insurance if you have younger animals too because you never know if your pet may get sick or get in an accident. Unfortunately sudden illnesses or accidents can sometimes be very costly. Having coverage when something like that happens allows your pet to have the best health care as well as get reimbursement for some of the covered expenses. Places like Pumpkin Pet Insurance offer a 90% reimbursement rate on covered vet bills. That may come in handy in a time where the medical costs are highly expensive. When finding the best pet insurance you most definitely want to know what it covers. There can be a variety of coverage plans so picking out the best one for you can benefit your pet and your wallet.

Has My Pet Traveled Before Going to the Vet? 

If you are one that likes to take your pet on adventures like hiking, swimming, or to dog parks, it’s important to tell your vet about these things so your pet can get the best care. Your vet may recommend flea and tick treatments or specific vaccines that may be good for your pet if it is around other pets or if it spends much time outside. If during your travels you were concerned your dog may have picked up parasites, telling your vet this information can help them decide what is the best course of action to take care of your pet. Considering telling your vet about most of your travel adventures with your pet could be helpful at your visit.

Consider It All Good

Knowing the things you may need to consider before your next vet visit can help you make the most of your vet appointments and your pet’s overall health. Whether it’s going in with the right questions and documents, or picking the best pet insurance, considering all of these things will help your pet and family thrive.