Placing an Emphasis on Preventive Care
The 2011 Bayer-Brakke study reported that many clients view updating their pet’s vaccinations as the primary reason to visit their veterinarian. In fact, 36% of clients surveyed said that they would not take their pet to the veterinarian for a wellness visit, except for vaccinations.
Many clients don’t fully recognize the importance of performing an exam: how often, why, and what the benefits are.
— Bayer-Brakke study (2011)
However, clients have expressed a willingness to bring their pets to the veterinarian more. The top five reasons that clients would be willing to bring their dog or cat in more for preventive care are:
“If I knew I could prevent problems and expensive treatment later” |
 56% |
|---|---|
"If I was convinced it would help my pet live longer” |
 54% |
“Each visit was less expensive” |
 53% |
“I really believed my pet needed exams more often” |
 49% |
“It wasn’t so stressful for me and my pet” |
 28% |
It is important to coordinate the entire veterinary team so that a consistent message regarding preventive care is presented to pet owners. In addition to improving patient health, the financial aspect of the practice will benefit.