Imagine that you’re a doggo. Your owner clips on your lead (exciting!), pops you into the car (woo hoo!), and you excitedly journey to… the vet!?!
Now, imagine you’re a kitty cat. You see “the box of doom” (also known as the pet carrier), and before you can escape, your owner scoops you up, pushes you into the carrier, and drives you to the vet.
Now you’re probably feeling a little annoyed – especially if you were lying comfortably in the sun at home and were disturbed for this! But don’t worry, there are things that your hooooman owner can do to help streamline your veterinary visit so that you can be in and out of the clinic as quickly as possible.
Our VET Consultation Top Tips
1. Mention all problems at the time of booking
Our veterinarians often work on a tight schedule performing back-to-back consultations (and sometimes squeezing in emergency cases too). A typical appointment slot gives a vet time to take a recent history of your pet, examine them, briefly discuss potential diagnoses and/or treatment options for a problem, and prescribe the relevant treatment.
If your pet is very unwell or has several issues you would like addressed (e.g. vaccination plus skin problems and a behavioural issue), it’s best to mention this at the time of booking, so that we can book an extended consultation if required. Otherwise, we may have to prioritise some issues and book multiple appointments to address others.
2. Nominate the primary caregiver
When the primary caregiver accompanies the pet to appointments, it helps us to obtain the most accurate history of the pet. For example, what parasite prevention they’re on, any past health issues, diet etc. This information helps us to make the most accurate diagnosis and discuss our findings and answer any questions, as well as provide treatment recommendations. Additionally, nominating a primary caregiver is really important for times when we may require rapid decision-making. For example, consenting to a treatment plan during the consultation or if your pet is undergoing a procedure or hospital stay and their condition changes suddenly, we may require urgent permission to alter their treatment plan. If the primary caregiver cannot attend the consultation but can be available over the phone at the time, we are happy to discuss any findings and treatment plan while they are on speaker phone!
3. Bring samples if appropriate
In some cases of unwellness (e.g. diarrhoea or suspected urinary tract infection), it can assist our analysis if you are able to collect and bring along a fresh faeces or urine sample from your pet.
If required, we can then test these samples on-site to help us make a quick, accurate diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.
4. Correct handling of nervous pets
We are here to help if your pet is a nervous nelly and even if they are a little aggressive but please be sure to let our team know beforehand so we can take the appropriate measures in handling your pet extra carefully to minimise their stress levels whilst ensuring everyone’s safety.
It’s also important to make our team aware if your dog prefers some space and is not friendly with other dogs. We will do our best to minimize the situation by having you wait outside until the waiting room is clear.
Depending on your pet’s level of anxiety, we may suggest particular methods of gentle restraint or handling, positive distraction techniques, or even pre-emptive calming sedation.
With these simple measures, you can keep your pet’s vet visits as easy and efficient as possible. The end result for your pet? Happier vet visits, optimal healthcare, and more time at home with their favourite person – you!
Know The Happy Paws Difference
We understand that not everyone has had positive veterinary experiences with their previous clinics.
One of our clinic values is, Going Above & Beyond! We aim to exceed expectations in all that we do with you and your pets. We treat your pets like the valued family members they are.
Your pet deserves the highest standard of care and every single member of your Happy Paws team are committed to ensuring this is exactly what you’ll get each and every time you visit.
If you or someone you know has been putting off a vet visit for fear of the unknown, please tell them to reach out to us, we want to make sure everyone is left feeling 🐾PAWESOME🐾!
Please contact our friendly team in our Coombabah vet clinic if you have any questions about effortless vet visits for your furbaby.
