Give Us Your Pet Wellness "Wish List"

by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

            Too often we hear of—or even experience first-hand—the distress of patients who feel they have no voice in their own healthcare.  What will insurance pay for, and what services is one doctor prepared to provide?  These seem to be the deciding factors regarding medical care.  Knowing how frustrating this situation can be, we at Stream Valley, as veterinary care professionals, do not want this to be the case as far as your pets are concerned.

            If you are unfamiliar with the medical services or terminology associated with the veterinary field, then you may feel too uncomfortable or ill-equipped to actively participate in your pet’s care.  Yes, we do use words such as “ovariohysterectomy,” but a quality veterinary care team member would be happy to explain to you that this term simply means “spay surgery.”  In fact, whether you are unsure of the steps in a surgical procedure, the side effects of a medication, or the rationale behind a vaccination, you should be able to get clarification from a staff member for any of your concerns.  You can also request this information in writing so that you don’t have to memorize anything that you’ll need to share with your family pertaining to medical condition, future treatments, or special instructions.  Sometimes, an explanatory note may appear on your invoice printout, but you may want to ask for a copy of helpful doctor notes, and veterinary staff can usually offer supplemental brochures as well.

            Especially in cases of surgery, serious illness, or injury, your vet’s office may call your family within a few days of your visit to follow up on your pet’s condition.  This is more than just a courtesy.  We are genuinely concerned for your pet’s well-being, but we also want to maintain continuity in our medical records.  You, as the pet owner, are so important for this as you can tell us if your pet is tolerating medications, regaining appetite, walking normally, or just getting and staying better in general.  You have the power to let us know what is or isn’t working and to give us information that will keep your pet’s records current.  Then, we will know how to proceed for the present, and we may gain valuable insight to use during future care.

             So you didn’t go to veterinary school.  You don’t know how to perform a neuter surgery, and you’re not sure what all the available vaccines and blood tests are for.  But that doesn’t completely boot you out of the driver’s seat when it comes to your pet’s healthcare.  If you have questions, worries, or even sometimes suggestions, then fire away!  You have your pet’s best interests at heart, so you’ll want to make sure that your veterinary team does, too.

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