January 25th, 2011
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The communication that you have with your vet forms the basis of a partnership that is centered around the well-being of your pooch. A vet could be brilliant or renowned, but if you can’t speak freely to him or her or don’t really feel comfortable with the interaction you share, then you’re not really working as a team for your dog’s welfare. Working together with a vet that you like and trust is the optimal relationship to have.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
Excellent point, I totally agree. I am a hobby breeder and have had the same vet for 10 years and the communication I have with him is the reason I wouldn’t even think of looking for somone else (other than I think he is the best!).
I agree, too. My current vet spent 45 minutes during our first visit, going over my 9 year old dog’s entire history. If I don’t want to pursue a plan of action that he suggests, we discuss it and if I decide against it, he’s fine if it’s a valid argument. My former vet wouldn’t discuss anything; he was the vet and he knew what was best. It makes all the difference in the world to have someone you can talk to honestly and openly.
Those who have really good vets who actually listen to them are so lucky. Tracie, maybe you could address on your radio show the increasing problem (just read some of the forums and blogs and you will see what I mean) of vets behaving badly – not listening, careless diagnoses, even more careless prescribing of meds, attitudes that are less than caring or downright RUDE, emphasis on money money money money before the welfare of the pet (vets: go take acting lessons if you have to but for heaven’s sake at least ACT like you care about the animal instead of coming across as a classic gold-digging money grubber!). I think a big part of the vet communication problem is lack of listening skills on the part of the vets – not surprising, it’s widespread in all levels of healthcare providers for human OR animals. Vets need to be willing to work with people on all issues: financial, owner follow-up care, expectations, realistic outcomes for health issues, what to look for, etc. and vets need to not be so threatened when people who care about their animals read up on the issues on the internet and ask questions of the vets regarding same.
One of my four dogs has a seizure problem and the vet wont do any bloodwork even if I ask about getting it done. he just barely glanced at her vet work from her former owner.When I comment about some research I have done his secretary pops off that he doesnt believe in all this internet stuff but if we want a second opinion that we can feel free to find one. Which I will be doing tomorrow as the only vets open now are e vets. I dont want to call one of them unless she is in a seizure that we cant get to stop. I know that the e vets are very busy and dont like to be bothered by questions that are not emergencies.