Vet Visits Streamlined!
Short vet visits can leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, or with more questions! Prepare ahead of time to get the most out of your time at the vet.
One of the things I hear most often from dog parents is that vet visits can feel rushed, or they forget to ask certain questions, or their dog isn’t limping or showing the behavior they came in for!
Veterinary visits can sometimes feel hurried, emotional, and overwhelming especially when you’re worried about your dog. And sadly, some appointments are only scheduled for 15 or 20 min long!
Here are a few simple things you can do before your next appointment that can make a huge difference.
Take a video at home
I LOVE when clients bring in videos of their dog! It helps me so much look at their behavior, body position, and other subtle signs that they may not show us in the exam room. Dogs are masters at hiding pain, especially in a new (or scary) environment like the vet clinic. I’ve had countless patients who come in because they’re limping at home, or doing some strange behavior only to come in acting perfectly normal during the exam!
If your dog is:
Limping
Has a new behavior
Struggling with certain tasks
Hesitating to jump on the couch
Acting differently than normal
Doing something they’ve never done before
Any other concerning behaviors
Take a video!!
Those few seconds often give me more clues to what’s going on because I’m seeing your dog in their natural environment. It also gives me a better understanding of your home’s setup and any daily challenges they might be navigating.
Write down your questions
It’s easy to forget things once you’re sitting in the exam room.
Before your visit, write down:
Changes you’ve noticed
When the problem started
Lifestyle changes
Transitioning to adult or senior hood
Anything that seems to make it better or worse
Questions you don’t want to forget
Even experienced veterinarians make lists before taking their own pets to appointments!
Don’t forget about any follow up questions for your vet, such as:
Any changes to make as they get older?
How serious is this problem?
What should I watch for at home?
When do these issues become an emergency?
Are medications, supplements, or diet changes recommended?
Would my dog benefit from physical therapy, acupuncture, or another specialist?
When should we schedule a recheck?
Bring a complete list
Getting the whole picture of your dog’s health and what they eat, are exposed to, any treats etc is very helpful!
Write down:
Food and treats
Any Chews
Supplements
Medications (including doses, time of day)
Any recent changes
This helps prevent medication interactions and ensures we’re recommending treatments that are safe for your dog.
Don’t be afraid to ask why
If your veterinarian recommends bloodwork, X-rays, or a referral, ask why. We are more than happy to explain our thought process and why certain tests or diagnostic are important to run on your dog.
For example:
A physical exam helps identify pain, heart murmurs, neurological changes, and other abnormalities.
Bloodwork gives us a baseline of how your dog’s internal organs are functioning and helps determine which medications are safe.
X-rays allow us to evaluate bones, joints, organ size and can help diagnose arthritis, fractures, organ health or other conditions. Ultrasound can look at more detailed internal organs and can pick up on nodules, masses, or other issues.
Microbiome testing helps determine your dog’s gut health, which affects everything. Even if your dog has normal poops, it’s a great test for better health.
Sometimes referral to a specialist such as cardiologist, internal medicine, physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, advanced imaging (CT, MRI), or other specialist is simply the next best step for your dog’s care.
Understanding why a recommendation is being made helps you feel more confident about your decisions.
You’re part of the healthcare team
One thing I always tell my clients is this: You spend 99% of the time with your dog. I only see you for a snap shot of their time, so any information is helpful!
You notice the subtle changes, you know what’s normal for them (and this varies for each dog), and you know when something just isn’t right.
Your observations are incredibly valuable. The best veterinary care happens when vets and pet parents work together as a team.
So don’t feel like you’re bothering your veterinarian by asking questions or sharing videos! You’re giving us the information we need to help your dog thrive!
Hope this helps you navigate veterinary appointments with ease and confidence!
XOXO,
Dr. Tori
This is so helpful!