Tag: veterinary medicine

I recently started a series about things that veterinary professionals would like pet owners to know. It has been so popular (and a bit therapeutic for me), so I have continued.

So, what else should I include in my list? Here are some more things that we want you to know.

Though fat dogs and cats are extremely cute, it is not healthy for them. 

Overweight dogs and cats are more likely to have medical problems, such as diabetes and heart problems. The extra weight also makes it harder on them if they develop arthritis. They will struggle more to get around than those who are at a healthy weight.

Vomiting up hairballs is REALLY not normal. 

Though many people believe that cats coughing up hairballs is normal, especially for those who over-groom themselves or are long-haired, the truth is that it isn’t normal. If your cat vomits hairballs regularly, you should bring it in. Your cat may have allergies, which are causing him or her to groom too much, or your cat may also have a gastrointestinal problem that needs to be dealt with.

Vaccines are not just a one-and-done deal! 

You would not believe the number of people who bring their pets in to be seen and think that they are up-to-date on vaccines. One kitten dose will not protect your cat for the rest of his or her life. Your pets will need multiple doses when they are young, and then every one to three years for the rest of their lives.

That being said, preventive care is more cost-effective than treating problems that may occur. 

Vaccines are cheap compared to the treatment of some of the diseases that your pet may get. Some of these, like Rabies, may be fatal if contracted, so you are going to want to make sure that your pet is well-protected.

Many people also balk at paying money for heartworm, flea, and tick medications. However, if your dog contracts heartworms, treatment can be very expensive. Your dog may not survive treatment either! Fleas and ticks carry plenty of diseases, such as Lyme disease, so you are going to want to make sure that your pet isn’t at risk for these diseases.

As more people switch veterinarians, your new veterinarian must have as much information about your pet as possible. 

If you are switching veterinarians, ensure that the new veterinarian has all the records from your previous veterinarian. This needs to be done before your appointment, so we don’t waste your time during the appointment.

This may also save you money. If we don’t see that your dog has had a recent heartworm test, we may require you to have one before we dispense any preventatives. If your pet is sick, we may recommend blood work that you may have already completed at your old veterinarian just a few days ago. Instead of repeating it, we may be able to do something different in order to come up with a proper diagnosis.

As veterinary professionals, we want your pets to have the best life possible. This means maintaining a healthy weight and focusing on preventive medicine. Although you may think it is a waste of money, the truth is that it is significantly cheaper than the disease. Some diseases aren’t curable, making it even more important to get that Rabies vaccine and keep your pets on flea and tick preventative.

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Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

Want to read the original? Catch up on it right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.

I started a series called Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Are Tired of Hearing. Because of its popularity, I started another one, Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners to Know. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first one, you can check it right here.

However, as I went through all the things I wanted to get out there, I realized I couldn’t just write one article. It may turn into another big series that I need to write!

So, what are some more things that vet techs (and vets) want all pet owners to know? Here are a few more for you to consider.

Whenever you have a concern, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian first. 

Your veterinarian and their team are here to help. Please note that I said the veterinary team. You should feel comfortable talking to anyone on the team.

Even if you need to speak directly with the veterinarian, take the time to speak with their support staff first. 

You may be surprised by how many questions they can easily answer without having to ask the veterinarian. They may also be able to give him or her a message and get back to you with the answer, instead of taking your veterinarian’s precious time.

Look to your veterinary office first. 

In the new age of the internet and social media, Dr. Google and Facebook friends are quick to offer plenty of advice. Some of that information might not be right at all!

Although it might be helpful to hear some hopeful news from someone you know, whose pet is not yours, and your pet may or may not need the same treatment. In fact, it may do more harm than good, so before you follow someone else’s advice, make sure it is approved by your veterinarian.

Be honest with your veterinarian. 

Though you may be embarrassed by how long your dog or cat hasn’t been feeling well, we can’t help you if we don’t know the extent. Also, if you are given medicine, please let us know if you have missed any doses or if you are unable to administer it to your cat at all. Otherwise, we might wonder why the medicine isn’t working.

This even goes for illegal substances! 

It is going to be much easier for us if you tell us that your dog or cat got into your cigarettes or drugs. We will figure it out eventually, but it will go a lot smoother (and quicker) if we know what we are up against. We don’t have to tell anyone, but we can’t treat your pet if we have no idea what is going on.

You also need to ask questions. 

If you are unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask questions. That is what your veterinary team is for. If you are struggling to get the medications in, ask them for any helpful tips.

If you don’t understand what condition your pet is dealing with, ask for more information. They may also be able to provide you with a good website where you can conduct your own research when you’re at home and everything has sunk in.

You also need to clearly define your own expectations. 

Listen to what your veterinarian is saying, but then make the right decision for you. If your pet needs to receive medication multiple times a day and you don’t think you can manage it, please let them know. They might be able to give you something that may not work as well, but it only needs to be done once a day.

If you are unable to afford the diagnostics and treatment plan that your veterinarian recommends, please let them know. When we understand what we are dealing with, we can work with you to ensure that your pet receives some relief.

As a veterinary technician who works closely with a veterinarian, I want only the best for your pet. We want to help you as much as possible, so please don’t hesitate to reach out when you need us. Don’t always assume everything Dr. Google and your Facebook friends say is correct. We have years of experience and the knowledge to help.

That being said, we need you to be honest with us. Please let us know how long the problem has been ongoing. Let us know that you haven’t followed our recommendations. Although it is hard to hear, we need to know that you cannot administer the medications, and that is why your pet isn’t getting better (and it is not something that we did wrong).

Also, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions or let us know what you expect. If you can’t afford diagnostics, we may be able to try a medication to see if we can help your pet. Don’t tell us that you can’t afford blood work after it has already been run!

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

Want to read the original? Catch up on it right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

I wrote a series entitled Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Are Tired of Hearing. This sparked many blogs that you can read if you are interested.

However, the truth is that, due to their popularity, I decided to write a new series about what vet techs and veterinarians want pet owners to know. Curious about what vet techs (and vets) really want to tell you?

Here are some of those things.

Dry food doesn’t help them with dental problems. 

Most owners have long believed that feeding their cats dry food is necessary to keep their teeth clean. However, that simply isn’t the case at all. The only thing that will help keep your pets’ teeth clean is by brushing their teeth or giving them rawhide bones and other things to chew on.

Dental care is really important for our pets. 

Although many owners claim they have never had their dogs’ or cats’ teeth cleaned before, the truth is that it is necessary. Dental disease can lead to more problems in the future, such as kidney, heart, and liver disease. For this reason, you should start brushing now, and when your veterinarian advises that your pet needs to have its teeth cleaned, ensure that you follow the recommendations.

In fact, bad breath is often a sign of dental disease. 

If you are concerned that your pet has bad breath, you should consult your veterinarian. Your pet will likely need to have their teeth professionally cleaned. Your veterinarian may also need to remove some teeth to maintain their oral health as much as possible.

You should NEVER give your pet a breath mint instead! 

Breath mints for humans often contain Xylitol, which can be toxic for your pet. This may lead to an even bigger veterinary bill, with no guarantee that your pet will recover.

You should be aware of some common toxicities that affect the pets you have. 

Dogs should never be allowed to have grapes, raisins, onions, or garlic. They can’t have caffeine and chocolate. Xylitol, which is in breath mints and certain peanut butter, can be deadly.

Cats can’t be anywhere near lilies, though they also can’t have onions and garlic. Antifreeze is one thing that cats always want, but they should never have. You also should never leave any of your dog’s flea medications out. This can be deadly to cats.

Both dogs and cats need to stay away from human medications and substances used to bait mice, rats, and even snails. These contain poison that will slowly kill your beloved pet.

Because of this, you should never give your pet any of your own medication without a prescription. 

There are numerous human medications that can be fatal to our pets. Though your vet may prescribe your pet something that you take, it is just as easy to overdose them by trying to do it yourself. And dogs should NEVER be given aspirin.

Veterinarians want your pets to live as long as possible by maintaining their health. One way to do this is by making sure that you take care of their teeth. Dental disease can lead to numerous serious problems, so if we recommend a cleaning, you may want to ask us more about it.

You should also be aware of things to avoid. Dogs and cats can easily die if they eat something they shouldn’t. This also includes some of our own medications. You should never give your dog or cat aspirin or any other medication in your home without our advice.

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

Want to read the original? Catch up on it right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 
 

If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

The response to my articles, Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing, and the ones that followed, has been overwhelming. Meanwhile, the job remains chaotic, and the number of issues clients complain about is becoming unbearable.

I just can’t seem to stop writing about the things that clients need to know that drive us nuts. That being said, I think that this is going to be my last one. I may write more in the future, but I will stop with this one for now.

So, here you go. Here are some more things that veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) are tired of hearing.

Vet medicine is so much more expensive than human medicine.

This is the most infuriating thing that I have ever heard. Most people have health insurance to help cover their medical bills. They even have a card to help them make their medications more affordable.

Have you actually ever looked at your bill? The actual one, not the one that just says that you paid a co-pay in order to see your doctor. Most doctor’s visits are over one hundred dollars. My husband stayed in the hospital for two days, and it cost over fifteen thousand dollars. It costs over $10,000 to have a baby. Could you imagine what orthopedic surgery costs? Surely not the five or ten thousand that you will have to pay for your dog!

Can you trim his nails?

Though we are happy to do your pet’s nails for you, the truth is that your dog isn’t limping because his or her nails are too long. Your dog or cat can’t breathe, yet you want us to stress them out more, just to do the nail trim?

Look at the whole situation before you ask us to trim your pet’s nails. It might not be a good idea to do so. You might have to wait until he or she is feeling better, and then we would gladly do it.

Make sure to trim them as short as possible.

I don’t know about you, but unless your dog is fighting me, I will cut your dog’s or cat’s nails short. In fact, I might even make a few bleed trying to get them as short as possible. I don’t need to be reminded that you want your money’s worth out of it. I especially don’t need to hear this when this hasn’t been done in so long that your dog or cat can hardly walk around on them!

I don’t know what I feed my dog, but it has to be good because it is so expensive.

The truth is that we really do need to know what your dog is eating, down to the brand and the flavor. Organic, grain-free, and expensive do not help us in the least. This is especially true if your dog or cat is experiencing an allergic reaction to the food they are eating. We need to know what is in the food that your dog is eating.

My dog (or cat) would never bite.

This is another one that really bothers me. These are the dogs and cats that would bite me first! The truth is that you really don’t know how your dog or cat is going to react in every situation. Dogs and cats bite when they are scared or in pain. They just might get scared. You have no way of knowing what your dog or cat might do in a stressful situation.

Why do I have to bring my dog in again? This is the same issue that he or she had two years ago! Can’t you just refill the medicine?

Clients often call, seeking medications for their pets. We really do understand. You are busy, and we are busy. The truth is that we really do need to see your dog again.

It might not be the exact same issue that he or she had in the past. It may be a yeast infection, rather than a bacterial infection, which would require a different type of medication. If your dog or cat gets a urinary tract infection, there may be an underlying issue that we need to figure out.

Clients can say some things that can really get under our skin. They complain about the cost all the time. However, if you looked at your own bills, you would realize it doesn’t cost as much as your own medical bills!

Nail trims are something else altogether. No matter why you come in, we understand that you want to get your dog or cat’s nails done. It just might not be the wisest time!

***

Can’t get enough? Catch up on the other parts right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

This series was so popular, I started a second one. You can check up on them here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

As I mentioned earlier, the response to my first piece, “Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Are Tired of Hearing,” was overwhelming. It was something that I never expected. I shared it with other veterinary professionals on Facebook, and they were quick to share things that they were tired of hearing.

Due to their overwhelming response, I felt compelled to write more. So, here are even more things that veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) are tired of hearing.

I paid a significant amount of money for their dog, so they don’t have any money for preventive care.

There is no doubt that it is expensive to own a puppy. You must bring your pet in every three to four weeks for vaccines until they are sixteen weeks old. Then, you need to spay or neuter your puppy at the right time. This can cost a few hundred dollars.

They also get mad because their expensive dog has problems.

People also get upset when their purebred, expensive dogs get problems that can be costly to fix. This may include allergies, which can cause skin problems, ear infections, and much more. Some dogs struggle with breathing issues and eye issues, which are common for their breed.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Many puppies and young dogs get into things that they shouldn’t, which could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and may even require surgery due to a foreign body. All of this can really add up.

Their “free” kittens aren’t really free.

Just like puppies need vaccines regularly until they are a few months old, free kittens need the same. It is also a good idea to test any new kittens for feline leukemia and FIV. They also need to be dewormed to ensure they are as healthy as possible. Often, they may struggle with an upper respiratory infection, which can require medication for a few months to help them improve.

You don’t know what’s wrong with my pet!

This is commonly said when a client refuses to undergo diagnostics to determine what is wrong with their pet, yet we are supposed to know what is wrong. Sometimes, this is even asked over the phone!

They can’t (or won’t) spend any money on X-rays or blood work, and we are supposed to be able to determine what is wrong with a simple examination. There are times when it can be that simple, but there are also times when having more information makes it easier to treat.

My pet isn’t better yet.

Their pets may have been vomiting and having diarrhea for weeks. They won’t let you do any diagnostics, and one dose of medication doesn’t help. Because of this, we are incompetent.

We may even perform diagnostics and treat the pet, but a single dose isn’t going to be enough. Their pet may require a few treatments before it can start to show improvement.

Then, there are the clients who stop the medications as soon as their pet is better. Instead of taking the medication for the recommended two weeks (or however long it was prescribed), they stop it as soon as their pet acts normal again. Then, they are surprised when the symptoms return.

I truly love my job, but the past two years have really tested my patience. Not only do I have to deal with pets that can be challenging to care for, but the clients are also pretty hard to please.

***

Can’t get enough? Catch up on the other parts right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

This series was so popular, I started a second one. You can check up on them here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

The response to my first piece, Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing, was overwhelming. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here. I shared it on my personal Facebook page, as well as in several groups filled with other veterinary professionals.

I asked them what things they were tired of hearing. This is only a small portion of their answers. In fact, I received so many answers that I may end up with several pieces. This only serves to highlight the challenges of interacting with the public as a veterinary professional.

Here are some more things that veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) are tired of hearing.

I should have a whole wing of the hospital dedicated to me because I have spent so much money here.

This saying comes in many forms. I worked at a veterinary neurologist, which was beside his home. Many customers couldn’t help but tell me they were helping to pay for the huge mansion he lived in.

Other clients say that they should have their own parking spot. They may be saying this because they either spend too much money on their pets or frequently visit the hospital. Either way, it isn’t my fault you bring your dog to the vet for every little bump and bruise you find!

All you do is play with puppies and kittens all day.

Most people think that we have a dream job. We get to play with puppies and kittens all day. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Since most people rescue animals, we rarely see young animals. In fact, we are more likely to see patients who are truly ill and need our help to recover. Some of these can’t be helped (no matter how hard we try), and euthanasia is the best option for them.

I could never do what you do because I love animals too much!

This is usually uttered when we are dealing with really sick patients, and no matter what we do, we can’t seem to make them any better. They can’t imagine hurting a cat or dog, just to get blood drawn or take x-rays. Holding a cat or dog down to do whatever needs to be done is just too much for the normal person to deal with, along with all the blood, urine, and feces.

Clients also love to tell us this when we are euthanizing their pets. Nobody loves to do that part of the job, but aren’t there bad parts of every job? And there are times when euthanasia seems like the best option. When you see patients who are really suffering, you just want to help, even if that means ending their lives.

Then, there are those who simply seek your advice.

When you work in veterinary medicine, you get all kinds of people who want your advice. I receive text messages and Facebook messages from a wide range of people. I am close to some of them and don’t mind helping out.

However, there are just as many people I haven’t seen in years, asking me what they should do for their pet. My response is usually to call your vet, though there are times when I tell them that it really isn’t something to panic about.

Just don’t get me started on Facebook.

I see a lot of awful advice being given on popular social media sites. I used to give some advice, but I am so tired of people not listening to my advice (which is usually to take their pet to the vet)! Instead, they will try all these crazy things that may (or may not) have worked for their Facebook friends.

Or groomers and pet store employees.

Because they are certainly qualified to give medical advice! We have a lot of appointments that are made because their groomer found an ear infection or saw dental disease, which needed to be addressed. I always appreciate that they are looking out for these pets.

However, just as many groomers and pet store employees give medical advice, which they really shouldn’t. In fact, most of them don’t have any experience, other than their own personal pets, so they are certainly not the first places you should go to for advice on your pet.

Being a professional in the veterinary field can be quite challenging, and it isn’t always the pets that are the problem. In fact, it is often things that their owners say that drive us insane! Stay tuned for the next post!

***

Can’t get enough? Catch up on the other parts right here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

This series was so popular, I started a second one. You can check up on them here!

The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.