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Pet owners
should be armed with questions for veterinarian visit
August 2, 2007
Have you ever visited the doctor's office with questions on your mind,
but when the doctor walks in the questions vanish and don't return until
you arrive home? The scenario is probably as common when you take your
four-legged friend to the veterinarian.
Whether you are going to the vet for a medical emergency or for a pet's
annual checkup and vaccinations, it's good to have an idea of overall
questions to help you understand your pet's health.
Americans spend a great deal of money on the care of pets. The American
Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) estimates that by the end
of 2007, pet expenditures in the United States will top $40.8 billion,
up from $38.5 billion in 2006 and $17 billion in 1994. That's a whopping
investment, so getting the most out each vet visit makes sense.
Even before the questions, most vets recommend that pet owners be ready
to discuss basic information about their pets, such as age, whether they
are spayed or neutered, and most importantly their lifestyle. For
instance, are they primarily indoor or outdoor pets? What kind of food
does he/she eat and what brand? How frequently is the pet fed and would
you describe him or her as a picky eater? Has your pet gained or lost
weight?
One of the first questions most pet owners are asked is if their pet's
diet as recently changed. Both cats and dogs can be extremely sensitive
to a change in pet food and that can often manifest itself in stomach
ailments of some kind.
My dog Lola, for example, is obsessed with grass. Grass-eating often
signals some type of stomach ailment, but she grazes every day and
exhibits no other symptoms such as vomiting or weight loss. There's been
no explanation as to why, but I do mention it at every vet visit.
Other lifestyle observations to share include your pet's water intake
and activity level. Has your once high-energy pet suddenly turned into a
couch potato? It's important to mention anything out of the ordinary.
Sudden behavior changes in our pets often signal an underlying medical
problem.
One of the most important times to apply the golden rule that says "no
question is a stupid question" is when you receive prescriptions from
your pet's vet. A study reported earlier this year noted that only 10
percent of cat owners and 30 percent of dog owners succeed in medicating
their pets correctly.
To understand your pet's prescription clearly it's most important to
ask: 1) why the medication is being prescribed; 2) how long should they
be given the medication; 3) how should it be administered and how often;
4) what role does food and water play in the medication; 5) what are the
side effects; and 6) is it safe with other medications?
Based on the amount of money we spend on our pets, it's evident how
important they are to us. They enhance our lives in a way that can't be
rivaled. Being mindful of their health-care needs is just one of the
many ways that we can thank them for being so wonderful.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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