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Vet Talks: How to Make Your Pet’s Vet Visit Successful

Vet Talks 5 min read
Vet Talks: How to Make Your Pet’s Vet Visit Successful

Just like doctors, veterinarians too sometimes skip sharing complex information with the pet owners to avoid confusion. Pet owners, at the same time, get hesitant when it comes to asking for an explanation. This leads to a frustrating vet visit. One in which you come home with no clue of what procedure was done, why, and what are the steps ahead!

As a pet owner, here’s what you can do to help your vet make your vet visit successful.  Not only will this bring you peace and content, but this can also even save you repetitive vet visits and bills.

In this blog, I also share an easy-to-use printable / mobile-friendly checklist that make your pet’s trip to the vet really smooth and productive:

Tip #1. Prepare questions for your veterinarian

Veterinary with dog owner and dog

If it’s not an emergency vet visit, prepare a written list of questions that you want to ask your veterinarian during the visit. You are your veterinarian’s greatest ally and need to partner with them to ensure the best recovery of your fur baby’s health.

The more information your vet has, the easier it will be to come to a diagnosis.

In fact, it will help if you note things in your phone or in your pet’s diary as they occur. This way you will have them ready even in the case of an emergency.

Do not assume that the vet already knows everything about your pet. Vets deal with many furry patients daily and even though they love all of them alike, they might not exactly recollect the outcome of the last vet visit (even if it pops right up on their computer screen). The more information your vet has, the easier it will be to come to a diagnosis.

Here’s a printable / mobile-friendly checklist to make your vet visits more productive!

Tips #2. Diagnostic tests – Pay attention during the process

doctor white coat with stethoscope holding a cat

Depending on the problem, there may be a need to run further tests and return to the veterinarian or visit a specialist. To be able to help the specialists involved in the next step, you need to clearly know what’s going on. It is also helpful to ask the veterinarian to provide a record for the vet visit so it can be used by other professionals involved in their integrative pet care. 

It is important to get written (or emailed) instructions from your veterinarian that states the dates for your fur baby’s next check-up or recommendation to see a veterinary specialist.

Here are some common questions that you should ask at the time of diagnosis:

  • Which parameters from the blood work or tests should you watch for?
  • Is it necessary to schedule a follow-up visit once the test results are back?

Tip #3. Pet Prescriptions – Know Them Well

It is essential to know about the prescriptions as this will help you understand how your pet is responding to the treatment. Here are some common kinds of pet prescriptions:

  • Antibiotics
  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Antacids
  • Painkillers

You can ask your vet if there are any minor or major side effects to expect from the medications the vet has prescribed. You can also ask for tips to help prepare your furbaby for these side effects. For instance, antibiotics might cause mild GI upset and your vet can help you prepare by mentioning a good probiotic to include in their diet along with it.

dog taking pill nhv supplements

Keep a clear record of the medicines your fur baby takes and remember to ask the following:

  • What time to administer the medicine
  • How to administer (with food or fasting, etc.)
  • Whether or not to change dosage (as in the case of a dewormer)
  • Any minor or major side effects to expect
  • Any foods to avoid
  • Any precautions to take

Tip #4. Trust your vet

It is very important to trust and follow your veterinarian’s recommendations. Your veterinarian has likely seen many cases similar to your pet’s so she knows the best course of action.

Sad dog lying on a bed sick with vet plastic Elizabethan collar

Here are some examples of situations you need to trust your vet.

  • If your pet requires an e-collar or “cone”, it is important not to remove it until you’ve been advised by the veterinarian to do so. Removing the e-collar too early will slow down the pet’s recovery progress, as they will likely be licking the affected area.
  • Orthopedic problems may require strict rest with no running, jumping, or playing. Therefore it is crucial to monitor your fur baby, as all of these can help make the difference in the recovery of your pet.
  • Make sure you complete the course of medications as told by your vet and don’t desert it mid-way upon seeing improvement.

Tip #5. Inform your NHV Pet Experts

vino with milk thistle

Your holistic vet team at NHV is happy to work with you and your vet to help bring relief to your pet. Once you have a diagnosis from the vet, you can get in touch with NHV and seek advice on how any natural supplements can be integrated with the vet-prescribed treatment.

Your NHV Pet Experts might recommend helpful supplements that fill any gaps in the treatment plan or complement the treatment plan. For instance, a natural pain reliever like Yucca, an appetite stimulant like Multi Essentials, or support for the liver, (Milk Thistle).

A successful vet visit results in a proper diagnosis with the pet owner returning home with clarity of the steps ahead, and with a plan to help his or her pet the best. This requires active involvement of both the veterinarian and the pet owner.

If you need more information about integrated pet care and want help to completely understand the veterinarian’s recommendations for your fur baby, you can always book an online vet consult with me. If you want help deciding which NHV supplements are right for your pet, then one of our Pet Experts will be more than happy to help.

You can book a consult with Dr. Amanda here or get a customized diet plan , specially formulated for your pet.

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda Nascimento DVM, MVSc, PhD

Dr. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine in 2010 and graduate studies in veterinary pathology (MVSc. 2012 and PhD 2016) at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo. She completed her post-doctoral training at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine – University of Saskatchewan in 2018. Dr. Nascimento will be hosting her own blog series and sharing her knowledge with our extended NHV family.

Published: March 15, 2019

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