Selecting a Vet
Your pet is a cherished family member. Pets are almost child like in their dependence on us. In return for attending to their needs for food, shelter, and health care, they give us so much.
The pet owner and their veterinarian have a very important relationship based on communication, and trust. Often, this relationship is taken for granted until a critical illness is encountered. You want your pet attended to by a competent and compassionate veterinarian who has the most up-to-date training and state of the art equipment available.
The doctors and staff of the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic are committed to you and your pet. Our goal is to provide your pet with the best possible level of care available anywhere in a private practice. There is a difference that you can see in our commitment, technology, education, and level of service. The staff of our practice has over 100 years of veterinary health care experience.
We want to care for your pet and will do all we can to both meet and exceed your expectations. We listen and encourage you to ask questions about your pet's health care needs.
By asking more questions and being informed, we believe you will see the difference in veterinarians and their supporting hospital. Please feel free to contact us for a tour of the clinic, or to set up an interview with any of our doctors. After doing so, we feel you'll choose the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic for your pet's health care needs.
When choosing a veterinarian, most well-intentioned pet owners do not know the appropriate questions to ask. By default, many ask only about the price of a procedure or service. Doing so, without asking for further information, is analogous to calling several auto dealers and asking the price of a car. Based on price alone, an inexpensive car sounds great, however, it may not be the quality and value you are looking for.
The following are questions you should ask when selecting a veterinarian and clinic to care for your pet:
Is the hospital certified by the American Animal Hospital Association? TOP
The Broad Ripple Animal Clinic is one of only 8 certified hospitals in Marion County. A.A.H.A. approved hospitals are regularly inspected and must comply with rigid standards in the areas of medical records, pharmacy, anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, radiology, patient care, continuing education, and housekeeping. We've been awarded the highest accreditation possible. Can current and potential clients inspect the facility -- unannounced? TOP
You are welcome to inspect our hospital at any time. You should evaluate the entire facility for cleanliness and odors. Can potential clients interview the veterinarian(s)? TOP
We encourage new clients to schedule an interview to meet any of our veterinarians and staff. This allows us to explain our philosophy of care. The more you know - the better we look.
What hours is the practice open? TOP
Your time is valuable and we realize how busy your daily schedule can be. For this reason, we are open from 7:00am-8:00pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays 8:00am-6:00pm, and Saturdays 8:00am-3:00pm.
Do you utilize any veterinary specialists or have areas of specialization? TOP
Our practice has six full time veterinarians on staff plus a board certified radiologist part time. In addition to performing traditional veterinary care, our veterinarians perform special procedures in the areas of ultrasound, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and dentistry. Dr. Rick Widmer, our board certified radiologist, performs ultrasound diagnostic procedures every Friday. Area veterinary hospitals regularly refer cases to us for these procedures.
Can I request a specific veterinarian when my pet needs care? TOP
Yes! We feel the relationship between you and your veterinarian is one of trust and is based on each getting to know the other. Our veterinarians work very closely together - if your pet's doctor is not available, another highly qualified doctor will take the case, use your pet's detailed medical record to continue care, and then return the case to that doctor when he/she returns. Our doctors work extremely well together and switching between them when necessary will not be a problem. Each one cares deeply about all of our patients.
How many hours of continuing education does each veterinarian attend per year? TOP
The knowledge in the veterinary profession is expanding rapidly. To keep abreast of the changes, each of our staff veterinarians attends at least 30 hours of continuing education per year, and our licensed veterinary technicians attend at least 16 hours.
Has the practice received any honors? TOP
Hills Corporation, makers of Science Diet pet foods, commissioned Arthur Anderson Consulting to study the traits of a successful veterinary practice. Quality of medicine, facility, staff and client satisfaction, along with many other factors were evaluated. Fifty-two (52) practices were selected nationwide. Broad Ripple Animal Clinic had the honor of being among them.
We received the 2003 and 2004 Angie's List SUPER SERVICE AWARD. This recognition is based on achieving and maintaining a SUPERIOR service rating throughout 2003 and 2004. Less than 5% of companies on Angie's List were even eligible for the award and even a smaller percentage of companies were actually awarded the honor.
If my pet needs surgery or to be hospitalized, can I visit? TOP
Yes, we encourage you to stop by and visit daily. We are certain it makes our patients feel better and it reassures you they are getting the care and attention you want them to receive.
Prior to my pet receiving anesthesia, what is done to minimize the risk to my pet? TOP
Your pet's safety is our primary concern. Each patient is given a thorough physical exam. Then, each patient has a panel of blood tests performed to ensure the body is in optimum condition. The patient's age dictates which tests are indicated. Failure to perform pre-anesthetic tests substantially increases your pet's risk.
What is done to keep my pet comfortable? TOP
Prior to surgery, each patient is given a pre-anesthetic medication that contains a pain reliever. Then when they are beginning to wake up, they are given a potent pain medication. This allows the patient to recover and sleep comfortably post operatively. Many veterinary hospitals use NO post operative pain medication.
Why type of anesthesia will be used on my pet? TOP
Inhalation anesthesia has set the standard for safety over the past 20 years, yet in many practices it is still not routinely used. There are three anesthetic gases available. Isoflurane anesthesia is the best and the safest. It can be used safely on pets from 5 weeks to 20 years of age. It is the ONLY anesthetic gas used at our clinic. This is an important question that most clients never consider.
Once my pet is under anesthesia, what is monitored to ensure my pet's safety? TOP
Most practice's only monitor respirations by watching the patient breathe. That is not enough. At Broad Ripple Animal Clinic, we continuously monitor each patient during anesthesia with an EKG, a respiratory monitor, a pulse monitor and oxygen saturation of the blood. Blood pressure and body temperature are also monitored on some patients.
What precautions are taken to prevent infection and ensure a sterile procedure is performed? TOP
An an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) approved hospital, we are required to wear a sterile cap, mask, gown and gloves for each surgery. We have a room allocated only for surgical procedures. We use a sterilized surgical instrument pack for each procedure. We also have a separate preparation room where each patient's hair is clipped and the skin is cleaned to prevent infection.
Can I inspect the hospital's surgical facility? TOP
You are welcome to inspect our facility at any time. We're proud of our hospital and our advanced technology. |
