Dear Dr. Dog: I am a neophyte dog owner and haven’t dealt with veterinarians before. Can you explain how to make the most of our vet visits?
Veterinary care is a fact of life for all canines and their people. Here are ten suggestions for making every office visit exceptional for you, your dog, and the entire clinic staff.
I: Thou shalt push thy veterinarian off her pedestal
The pedestal on which a veterinarian resides is a figment of the client’s imagination. When the veterinarian is viewed as an infallible authority on every conceivable dog-related subject, two-way communication flounders. Medical advocacy requires active client participation, so don’t feel intimidated about voicing an opinion.
II: Thou shalt be present
Avoid dropping your dog off at the veterinary hospital and going about your business. You may need to view X-rays or learn how to administer medication, and it’s helpful to see how your dog interacts with the staff. Also, of course, your dog would absolutely prefer you to be by his side!
III: Thou shalt let the staff know if thy dog is aggressive
I clearly recall a nasty bite without a warning glare or growl to clue me in. As I stood by the sink washing my wound and muttering under my breath, the client had the audacity to inform me that the same thing had happened to the last veterinarian they had seen! I momentarily fantasized about biting her, but showed tremendous restraint. Tell the staff upfront if you think your pup might behave aggressively.
IV: Thou shalt provide information
An accurate patient history is of monumental importance when it comes to providing good medical care for your dog. A solid history can mean running only one test, instead of five, to pinpoint a diagnosis. Inadequate or inaccurate information can lead the veterinarian in the wrong direction. It is also important to bring along all of your dog’s medications and to tell the doctor what brand of food he is eating.
V: Thou shalt confess everything
If your dog has trained you to feed him nothing but table food; if you have been sharing your own prescription medication with your pooch; if he fell out of the back of a pickup truck because he was not properly tethered; even if he has just eaten a plate of marijuana-laden brownies – for your dog’s sake, be truthful with your veterinarian.
VI: Thou shalt pause for confusion
It is just about impossible to do a reasonable advocacy job if you don’t understand what your vet says. Most veterinarians lapse into “medical speak” because we are so used to these terms. Please stop your vet in her tracks if you are confused and ask for an explanation.
VII: Thou shalt share thy concerns
Most veterinarians do what they do because they appreciate how much dogs mean to their humans. Who better, then, to empathize with you? Let her know if:
You are feeling scared or angry;
Financial limitations are creating a roadblock;
You are terrified by the thought of anesthetizing your dog because a beloved pet once died unexpectedly while under anesthesia; or
You are receiving pressure from family members to put your dog to sleep, but you don’t think it’s time.
VIII: Thou shalt ask questions
Asking questions is the most resourceful way to be your dog’s medical advocate. In the heat of the moment, when you have just received some disconcerting news or your dog has just lifted his leg rather too near the veterinarian, it is easy to forget the important questions you were meaning to ask. Be sure to write them down in advance of your office visit.
IX: Thou shalt treat the entire staff well
I get really peeved when a client who has been quite nice with me has treated one of my staff rudely. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and the entire staff will learn of it if this has not been the case! If you are respectful and gracious, you will have the red carpet rolled out the next time you visit.
X: Thou shalt have a plan
Vets sometimes fail to provide clear follow-up recommendations and well-intentioned clients often fail to comply with them. Do your best to solidify the “plan” and have it put in writing. Consider the following examples:
- Your Chihuahua has just had his annual checkup, and, much to your delight, everything is completely normal. The “plan” is to bring him back in one year for his next “annual.”
- Your retriever puppy has a heart murmur. Ultrasound reveals a problem with the mitral valve in his heart. Future prognosis is uncertain. The “plan” is to repeat the ultrasound in six months, or sooner if coughing or decreased stamina is observed.
- Your terrier mix just had bladder stone surgery. The “plan” is to feed him a special diet to prevent stone reformation, return in two weeks for removal of the stitches, and schedule a two-month follow-up to recheck a urine sample.
Dr. Nancy Kay is a board certified specialist in small animal internal medicine at the VCA Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park and the author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life (Trafalgar Square Books). She recently received the American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Hill’s Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award Dr. Kay shares her life with two dogs, three cats, three goats, and two horses. You can contact her via www.speakingforspot.com.
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