Ragdoll Cats

The best way to find a veterinarian for your new Ragdoll cat is to shop around the same way you would for your doctor; visit them in person. Call before you go and don’t bring your Ragdoll cat; let the staff know you are going drop by for a visit. Ads you find in the yellow pages are not an indication of the quality of service. Word of mouth is a good way to find a vet; ask your friends which vet they recommend. Alternatively you could contact kennels and catteries in your area and ask for recommendations. You may want to call up the vet’s office during the middle of the week and ask to introduce yourself before stopping by.
For the most part, vets tend to be compassionate, outgoing people that love animals. However, you may run across a few with weak people skills. A good veterinarian should not be hurried or seem too busy to address your concerns.

The condition of the veterinarian facilities is important to consider when choosing a vet. Are the facilities kept clean and odor free? Are the examination rooms kept tidy? Does the staff keep instruments arranged neatly or are they just lying about? When you are waiting in reception take a look around at the items displayed. Is the veterinarian active in the community? Vets tend to choose staff members similar to themselves. If the receptionist has a poor attitude there is a good chance the veterinarian will too. Is the receptionist friendly and outgoing? Take notice of the size of the staff; too many people could indicate the vet is trying to see too many clients. If this is the case you may spend little time conversing with your vet; take this as a sign to look elsewhere for your veterinarian.

If you would like to test your prospective vet or are just curious, tell them your Ragdoll cat has been shaking its head repeatedly. (Even though it has not) After an examination the veterinarian (not the assistant) should tell you that they cannot find anything wrong with your cat’s ears. They may suggest this problem is due to wax buildup. (This is the correct response) If they prescribe your Ragdoll cat a slew of creams and antibiotics you should continue shopping for a vet elsewhere.

Pet health insurance is not common in the United States. As a result of this the costs of care for your cat can be quite expensive. Ask your vet to estimate the costs you will incur for vaccinations and other procedures such as spaying or neutering. Be sure to include the cost of follow-up appointments when comparison shopping for veterinarian. When visiting a veterinarian it is best to schedule your appointments early in the morning; this is best so your Ragdoll cat will receive a thorough examination. Do not schedule your Ragdoll in the late afternoon or on Saturdays. Saturdays are chaotic times to visit a veterinarian. Monday is probably not a good day either because emergencies from the weekend are all waiting to see the veterinarian. Your veterinarian’s office may not be the best place to purchase supplies and medications as these can be found from reputable vendors on the Internet for a fraction of the cost you would pay in the office.