You love your pet, so the vet you choose has to be worthy of your trust — and have the right qualifications to provide the veterinary care your animal needs. Our Dallas vets list the qualifications you should look for.
Choosing the Right Vet
You may feel stressed at the prospect of choosing a new vet for your animal. After all, you've got so many things to consider. Will you get along with this person? Are the hospital hours compatible with your availability? In addition to the day-to-day practicalities of choosing a vet, there are a few certifications an individual vet may hold. In this post, our vets discuss what these certifications mean.
Mandatory U.S. Veterinary Qualifications
When looking for a vet, confirm that the veterinarian you are considering is licensed in the United States, and in your state. You may also want to find out whether other people such as registered veterinary technicians working at the hospital are licensed. Visit the vet's office and have a look around. If you don't see certifications hanging in the reception area, simply ask to see their licenses or contact your state board of veterinary medicine for more information.
These 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).