Help Me, Help You- Ways to Maximize Your Appointment

Countless pet owners schedule an appointment and become frustrated for many reasons, most of which come down to unrealistic expectations from the minute they walk through the door. So how can we get to the point where we are addressing your concerns and doing what is best for your pet so that we're both satisfied? Read on for some tips. 

 1. Don't wait on a problem for months. It never ceases to amaze me that people-the same people who express financial limitations or unwillingness to pay for a condition sit on a problem and bring their pet in when the problem is severe and requires in depth diagnostics and treatments. Many of these problems would be much cheaper, resolve quicker, and require less effort if they had been addressed at the start. 

2. Provide a good history to the staff member who "intakes your pet/starts the appointment". I know you want to talk to the doctor and don't want to repeat yourself over and over again, but truthfully and accurately answering the veterinary staff member's questions helps provide valuable information the veterinarian will use during their exam and shape a plan in the veterinarian's head of diagnostics to recommend and treatments to pursue. If you refuse to answer the staff member's questions accurately, lie or refuse to speak to them in general you are doing yourself a disservice and unnecessarily prolonging your appointment and creating more work for everyone. 

 3. Do not get frustrated when the veterinarian confirms information that you've already stated. When a veterinarian tries to confirm a detail of your presenting problem, it is because they are trying to differentiate between conditions or make the best recommendation possible. It is very important to differentiate between subtle symptoms that lead us down one path or another. We are a team and your observations are valuable to making your pet feel better. Please be patient and affirm observations and details when your veterinarian asks so that we can pursue the most accurate diagnostics and treatment plan to get your pet feeling better. 

 4. Show up for your re-check. Contrary to popular belief, veterinarians don't schedule unnecessary re-checks. By not showing up to your re-check you are potentially undoing all of your pet's progress. Often follow up therapy is recommended or other preventative steps/recommendations will be provided at these appointments. I would be rich if I could count the number of times someone has failed to show up for their re-check and shows up 2-3 months later with the same problem but twice as severe and that same condition is now resistant to several medications. 

 5. Give your medications as directed. If you are prescribed antibiotics, use them all unless directed otherwise. If you are given steroids or a pain medication, use it all unless directed to stop. If your pet develops a side effect, contact your veterinarian and let them know but do not just stop the medication or therapy. Of questions I am commonly asked "is there a shot for that?" and most of the time (with a couple of exceptions) the answer is "no". Part of pet ownership is pet care, pet care is not limited to healthy pets, it means providing for your pet in sickness and in health (honestly until death do you part) and that includes medicating your pet. A question I would prefer is: "can you give me some tips on medicating my pet?" or "I am nervous I won't be able to do this, can you show me or recommend a resource to help me?". Your veterinarian and veterinary team are there to help you succeed. Please ask for help if you need it. 

 6. Be open to trying something new. I (and most veterinarians) like fixing problems and preventing them from happening again. Requesting the same medication over and over again and declining further diagnostics or being unwilling to try new therapies or recommendations is putting a band aid on a problem but not treating it. Your pet deserves better and you do too. 

 7. Please consult your veterinarian before starting supplements. I can't tell you the number of potentially toxic supplements I have had owners discontinue. Just because a supplement is labeled pet friendly or essential does not mean that it is safe. Unfortunately the world of supplements is largely unregulated and many false claims can be made. Young animals typically do not require supplements and starting a young animal on one can have serious consequences. 

 We are a team: pet owner who knows their pet better than anyone, veterinarian who is an expert in the field-doing everything they can to address your pet's needs, and the veterinary team who also assists in answering your questions and communicating your concerns. Help us, help you. We all have the same goal: the health, happiness, and longevity of your pet.