Nearly every Veterinarian I know got into the world of animal care for the same reasons - a love for all animals and the desire to help them. However, there’s one aspect of running a veterinary practice that many are not prepared for… the human element!
While we may have all the patience in the world for our 4-legged friends, our patience for their owners is not always endless. More specifically, certain types of pet owners consume a bit more of our patience - or drive us downright crazy!
Before your next vet visit, ask yourself if you’re showing signs of these patients. If so, check yourself!
1 - The Off-Leasher
“Oh no, it’s fine - my baby is so well mannered!”. We hear and see this one alllll the time. Being in a vet clinic can be an anxious situation for even the most well-behaved pets, so you should always have your pet on a short leash. While your pet may be perfectly fine with other animals, there are too many unknowns with other animals coming in/out at the same time. The last thing we need is a bonus dose of chaos in the reception area!!
Additionally if your pet is aggressive toward other animals, let the staff know that in advance. They may be able to take your pet in through a private entrance.
2 - The Assumer
Please do not assume that we have your pets’ medical records! Especially if you are a first time visitor to a new clinic, bring the records with you or have your previous veterinary team send or fax the records.
At a minimum, bring your own notes on your pet's health and medical history. Have a list of medications with strength, dosing schedule, and length of time your pet has been receiving medication. The more detailed history we have, the better we are able to treat your pet by analyzing past ailments, habits, and issues.
3 - The ALWAYS LATE
Life happens, we get it. But consistent tardiness for appointments and visits throws a huge monkey wrench in our day. We want to give your pet the utmost attention and the time they deserve, so please arrive on-time (if not early). And always call ahead if you are running behind so we can work a little magic to keep things running smoothly.
You can also request your veterinary office to call you if they are running behind - this is especially beneficial if you have an appointment later in the day (where delays can be more common) and we are happy to accommodate as best we can.
BONUS! Turn off your cell phone during the appointment. We will give you our full attention, so all we ask is that you provide the same so we can best help your furry ones :)
4 - The Poor Communicator
Treating pets can be expensive - we know this. If you have financial concerns, always be upfront about that. Knowing this in advance can help your veterinarian make recommendations that will provide the most efficient use of your financial resources, while maximizing the positive impact on your pets’ health! Communication is key.
5 - The Unprepared
If only animals could talk! Knowing specific details of your pet’s ailment allow us to better recognize and treat the source of the problem. This can be equally challenging if the pet owner does not remember, or doesn’t know, key information on their pet’s problem.
Have a list of questions ready so you will be sure to cover any concerns you may have. If your pet has been ill, bring a list of symptoms, note the length of time they have shown these symptoms, and whether the pet has had similar symptoms in the past or has been treated for similar problems in the past.
