What is the difference between a veterinary hospital and a veterinary clinic?

Veterinary hospitals tend to be larger with room to keep pets overnight or beyond. They also have the facilities to care for animals in more extensive ways, such as radiology, pathology, etc. They tend to have more "in-house" capabilities, allowing labs to be done within the hospital, usually ending up with quicker results, and dispensaries, which offer a more extensive array of pharmocology. They also have veterinarians that specialize in particular fields (which any vet can actually do), like geriatrics or surgery. Also, like human hospitals, veterinary hospitals can offer 24hr surveillance and can be large enough to have specialized wards.

Veterinary clinics have the capability to complete examinations, diagnosis, and treatment. However, they can only perform minor surgeries, and usually do not offer hospitalization of your pet, since 24hr surveillance is not usually available. They are smaller facilities, which equal less available resources. Most lab work and specialized treatment must be referred elsewhere.

Which one to pick?? It really depends on your needs. A clinic is good for your basic and general care. They can easily do routine check-ups, minor injuries, spay/neuter, and vaccinations. Hospitals have more veterinarians on staff, allowing there to be quicker visits, and more specialized care. Hospitals also have emergency care available and can basically treat any situation. For a easy way to get an idea of what a location offers: check your local yellow pages. The ads within usually indicate key information about the veterinary. Make sure they offer the services that are important to you and the care of your pet, and if you have questions: call them!

What about prices?? Cost varies by location. Like the human healthcare system, the prices are variable. What costs $25 at one facility can cost $45 at another. Hospitals tend to charge more because of the amount of staff and the hospital facilities, however, that isn't always true. The best way to find out about cost is to call around for estimates. If your having trouble deciding, make arrangements to visit the location. Get a feel for the staff, take a tour of the facilities, and remember to ask questions about any concerns you may have. In the end, the choice is up to you and how confident you feel about the location and it's staff's abilities.