Your veterinarian is your number one person in your dog care. Finding one isn't a task to be taken lightly. Chosse a veterinarian before you need one. You should make sure he/she is affilated with a professional organization such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) The AAHA, has a set of standards that veterinarians must meet in such areas as surgery, anesthesia, dentistry and recordkeeping . The Hospitals are inspected regularly to maintain their accreditation. Listed below are a few tips in finding a good veterinarian:

• Ask people you trust for referrals
• Contact the American Animal Hospital Association for recommendations
• Choose a veterinarian who is willing to answer your questions and who is gentle with your dog. His stafrf should be friendly and attentive.
• Consider the inportance of same-dahy appointments and walk-ins
• Some emergency services should be available or ask if they are connected with a emergency clinic for use after hours
• The office should be able to handle serious medical problems requiring overnight hospitalization.
• Check on the different fees for routine checkups and shots. The fees should fit your budget.
• Ask if the clinic offers senior citizen, multi-pet, or other discounts. Also if they offer pet insurance coverage.

VACCINATIONS

• Veterinarians believe that too-frequent vaccinations can be linked to health problems. New vaccination recommendations include spacing out vaccinations and giving them less frequently.
• Dogs receive vaccines that protect against distemper, viral hepatitis or adenovirus, leptospirois, pareinfluenza, parvovirus, rabies and coronavirus. Some veterinarians are choosing to spread them out, giving only one or two at a time. Check with your veterinarian on the time schedule he recommends. Most veterinarians suggest the core vaccines--Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Rabies are essential for all dogs.
• While vaccinations are generally safe, they're not without risk. Possible adverse effects include allergic reactions and, in rare cases, seizures.
• Among the breeds that have been reported to be at increasedd risk of such reactions are: Miniature Dachshunds, West Highland While Terriers, Old English Sheepdogs, Akitas, Weimaraners and dogs with coat color dilutions such as Shetland Sheepdogs or Great Danes. With these breeds you may want to consider every three years vacination schedule after your dog is two years old.
• Veterinarians generally recommend that puppies be immunized at three to four week intervals, beginning at 8 weeks of age and ending around 18 weeks of age. The final vaccine is the most important of the immunization series.