Pet Check-Up: 10 Tips for a Better Vet Visit
A vet shares their thoughts on how to become the best advocate for your pet during check-ups
How much easier it would be if vets had Dr Dolittle’s ability to talk to animals – if your pet could speak for themselves when you take them in for a check-up, things would go a little smoother. Until humans learn to decipher animal thoughts, your pet will rely on you to act as their advocate in the consultation room. Here are ten tried-and-true secrets to making every pet check-up exceptional for you and your pet.
Find your voice
As a vet, I shun the typical white lab coat because I believe it hinders relaxed, open conversation with pet parents. I’m referring to what is known as the “white coat intimidation factor”, a phenomenon that gives the doctor an air of authority and superiority. When vets are on a “pedestal”, two-way communication flounders. Medical advocacy requires active pet parent participation, and a pet parent who is intimidated does not feel comfortable voicing an opinion. So, before you arrive at the vet’s for your pet’s check-up, find your voice. Remember, this is a simple mind-over-matter endeavour. And if your vet clings fast to their pedestal, consider choosing a different teammate.
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opens in a new tabBe present
A face-to-face conversation with your vet is invariably more valuable than connecting later via phone or email. Actually being there allows you to view X-rays and see how to administer medication. And don’t forget, given a choice, your pet would absolutely, positively want you to be by their side during a vet check-up. So, don’t ask your mother, brother, best friend or anyone else to fill in for you. Lastly, turn your phone off before entering the exam room.
Be honest about your pet’s behaviour
All pets are capable of unpredictable behaviour. A savvy vet can usually peg an aggressive pet within seconds of meeting them for their check-up. Occasionally, one surprises us and bitesopens in a new tab – either a staff member or the pet parent. Everyone feels terrible, but it’s made far worse when we learn that the pet parent knew it could happen but failed to warn us. If your pup has previously growledopens in a new tab or attempted to bite or your cat has gone haywire during a vet check-up, you must divulge this information. Trust me, withholding such important information is the quickest, most effective way to alienate yourself from an entire staff and you will not be welcomed back. The flip side of this coin is that vets have nothing but respect for the client who brings along a muzzle that’s just the right fit.
Pets act out of character in a hospital setting for a number of reasons. Painopens in a new tab, fear, a bad experience or the need to protect their human can all provoke aggression. Fortunately, there are many humane ways to work effectively with an aggressive pet: chemical sedation or muzzling is a reasonable option. Sometimes, simply separating a pet from their human subdues this aggressive tendency. Brute force is never warranted.
Provide information
The ’history’ of your pet’s health, past and present, is exceedingly important, more so than many people realise. This often provides more clues for a correct diagnosis than the actual physical examination. Your vet will want to know if you’ve seen any changes in behaviour, appetite, thirst or energy. Report any vomiting, diarrhoeaopens in a new tab, coughing, sneezing, decrease in stamina or change in bladder or bowel habits. Do some sleuthing on the home front.
Medication and diet
Bring your pet’s current medication to every vet check-up, so drugs and dosages can be confirmed. Your vet will want the name and strength of the drug, not just a description of the tablet. All too frequently, we come across a prescription that has been dispensed or is being administered incorrectly. And know the brand name of the food your pet eats. The colour of the bag and name of the store where it was purchased simply won’t give your vet adequate information.
Prior medical conditions
First-time visitors to a vet clinic should have their pet’s vaccination history and any medical records, laboratory test results and X-rays that pertain to prior problems. If your pet’s recent symptoms or medical history are somewhat complex, it helps to see a concise written summary of events. By the same token, it is possible to provide too much information. I once received an inch-thick log of many months’ worth of a patient’s bowel movements – including weights and lengths (I couldn’t possibly make this stuff up).
Confess everything
If your pet has trained you to feed them nothing but table food; if you have been sharing your own prescription medication with your pet; if they fell out of the back of a pick-up truck because they were not properly tethered; even if your pet has just eaten a plate of hash brownies – you must force yourself to rise above any embarrassment or awkwardness and be truthful with your vet.
Take a moment
It is just about impossible to do a reasonable advocacy job if you don’t understand what your vet says. As the saying goes: “What we don’t understand, we can make mean anything.” Most vets, myself included, lapse into ’medical speak’ because we are so used to these terms running around in our heads. We might say to a pet parent, “Fluffy is in renal failure and needs aggressive diuresis“ instead of “Fluffy’s kidneys aren’t functioning properly and we can help him by giving him intravenous fluids”. We need you to stop us in our tracks when we confuse you. If you’re a visual learner, ask your vet to draw a picture or show you what they’re talking about on your dog’s X-rays, lab reports or ultrasound images. Always remember to ’pause for confusion’ – when you don’t understand, stop and get clarification.
Share your concerns
Most vets do what they do because they appreciate how much pets mean to their humans. Who better, then, to empathise with you? To help you, your vet needs you to tell them your particular worries and concerns.
Are you feeling scared or angry? Anger is a normal stage of the grief process – many people experience it in response to a pet’s illness. Or are you convinced your pet has a terminal disease that your vet hasn’t checked on? Your vet will be better able to understand your reasoning if they know how you’re feeling – that way, you’ll receive a much-needed dose of empathy.
It’s never easy discussing financial worries – candour suffers because the subject is often awkward and much too personal. Pet parents feel guilty and worry about being judged when cost needs to be a factor in medical decisions. Be aware, though, you should discuss this matter upfront. Be sure to get an estimate before services are provided so as to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Ask about payment plans or prioritisation of services. Most vets are willing and able to provide reasonable financial options.
Ask questions
Asking questions is the most resourceful way to be your pet’s medical advocate. In the heat of the moment, when you’ve received some disconcerting news, it’s easy to forget the important questions you were meaning to ask. It pays to write them down beforehand. No doubt you will do some homework and research when you get home, and you will invariably think of more questions you should have asked. No problem. Vets expect clients to call with questions after they’ve had some time to process and ponder the information they’ve received.
Be respectful
I get really peeved when I learn that a pet parent, who has been sweet as can be with me, has been abrupt, condescending or rude to one of my staff after a check up. Everyone deserves to be treated with equal respect, and, without a doubt, the entire staff will know if this has not been the case. Likewise, a pet parent who has been respectful and gracious will have the ’red carpet’ rolled out the next time they visit.
Always come away with a plan
What do I mean by this? It is this simple: every time you talk with your vet during your pet’s check-up, be sure you know exactly when and how you will next communicate. Consider the following examples:
• Your six-year-old Norwegian Elkhound has just had their annual check-up, and, much to your delight, everything is completely normal. The “plan” is to bring them back in one year for their next “annual”.
• Your three-year-old Chihuahua-Jack Russell Terrier mix has just been evaluated for coughingopens in a new tab and prescribed an antibiotic and cough suppressant. The “plan” is to call the hospital in one week to report whether or not the cough has fully resolved. If not, chest X-rays and a blood test will be scheduled.
• Your Golden 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 and vet exam in six months or sooner if coughing or decreased stamina is observed.
• Your tabby cat just had surgery to remove bladder stones. At the time they’re discharged from the hospital, the “plan” is to feed them 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.
Vets often 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 put it in writing during your vet check-up. You’ll be glad you did.
