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What qualifications should I look for in a vet?

What qualifications should I look for in a vet?

Your love your pet and want to ensure that the vet you choose to give them care has the right qualifications to mee your pet's needs. But what qualifications should you be looking for?

Choosing the Right Vet

Choosing a new vet for your animal can be a stressful experience - there are so many things to consider! Will you like them? Are their hospital hours in line with your availability? But, beyond these day-to-day practicalities, there are also a number of certifications that an individual vet is able to hold. But what do these certifications mean? Here are a few of the most common. 

Mandatory U.S. Veterinary Qualifications

When looking for a vet, check around to make sure that the veterinarian you are considered is indeed licensed to practice both in the U.S. and in your state. You may also want to take some time to learn whether or not other people working at the clinic are licensed as well such as registered veterinary technicians. Visit your prospective vet's office and take a look around. If you don't see any certifications hanging on the wall in the reception area, just ask to see their licenses or call your state's board of veterinary medicine for more information. 

Here are the two certifications you are looking for:

DVM (VMD) - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - The first thing that you need to check is that your vet is qualified to practice in the U.S. When a person graduates from an American veterinary school they receive a DVM—Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (sometimes called a VMD degree). All vets practicing in the U.S. must have a DVM degree. A DVM degree means that the person you are considering is, in fact, a qualified veterinarian and is fully qualified to perform the duties of the profession.

State Veterinary Licensing - In order to practice veterinary medicine, some states also require a veterinarian to pass a state-specific examination. These exams typically test the vet's knowledge of the state's laws and regulations governing veterinary medicine. In order to maintain a state veterinary license, vets must obtain continuing education and may need to renew their license on a regular basis (often every 3 years).

Additional Veterinary Qualifications

If your pet has health care requirements above and beyond standard veterinary care, you may want to look for a vet with qualifications that go beyond the standard DVM degree. Two such certifications are:

Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (DABVP) - Veterinarians who are ABVP Certified (ABVP Diplomates) begin with a DVM degree then go on to accrue knowledge and expertise beyond what is required to practice standard veterinary medicine. SBVP Diplomates have to have undergone a challenging 3-year process of additional studies and examinations to become board-certified specialists that are recognized by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association). These vets have put in the hard work and training required to specialize in one or more categories of animals or veterinary medical practices. 

Fear Free Certification - If you have a pet that is high-strung or anxious you may want to take the extra time to locate a Fear-Free Certified vet in your area. Fear-Free certification can apply to an individual vet, another veterinary professional within the hospital, or even the hospital itself. Fear Free training teaches ways in which veterinary professionals can make pets more at ease in their office and during their examinations and treatment. 

Vets That May Require A Referral

Veterinary Specialists - A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area. If your pet is unwell, your regular vet may refer you to a veterinary specialist. There are 41 distinct specialties within veterinary medicine ranging from behavior to ophthalmology and surgery to dentistry. You may be referred to a veterinary specialist if diagnosing or treating your pet's health issue requires specialized equipment and/or expertise that your primary care veterinarian does not have. Veterinary specialists take pride in working with your primary care veterinarian to provide your pet with the best care possible.

The veterinary professionals at Badger Veterinary Hospital Cambridge are dedicated to offering you and your animal the finest care possible. Contact one of our 3 locations today to learn more about our veterinary team's qualifications and our range of services. 

New Patients Welcome

Badger Veterinary Hospital Cambridge is accepting new patients. Our team is passionate about the health of animals from across Cambridge. Contact us to book your first appointment today!

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