naturalpet
ten Questions
to Ask Your Veterinarian
Marjorie Lewter, DVM
Most individuals with an animal companion
never consider that they have the right
3
What do you feed your animals?
If a homemade diet for a large breed dog is recommend-
ed, ask if the vet has cooked for his/her dog and where specifi-
to interview their veterinarian. However,
cally in your town you can find the ingredients for the diet.
as caring stewards of our precious life
companions, we are not only responsible
4
What vaccines do you consider
to be “core vaccines”?
for their care but are also entitled to the
Which vaccines are strongly recommended and which are
best advice. Therefore, we should strive
optional? Consider your pet’s risk of contracting the disease
for clarity in communication so that we
and compare it with the risk of vaccinating. There is no vac-
cine without low risk of anaphylactic reaction.Vaccines do
are comfortable with the
spur the immune system into action, therefore it isn’t a good
person who is evaluating
idea in pets with autoimmune diseases. Inquire about a vac-
cine titer rather than revaccinating often. These are readily
our companion’s health.
available at all reference labs today with a blood sample.
1
What animals do you
5
Please give me all the options
for this problem
have? There are always options. For example, for a lump on the
If there is not an emergency, you
skin, there are three options: measure now and watch for any
have the time to do interviewing
changes; needle biopsy and cytology, and schedule excision
during a routine appointment with a
surgery and histopathology. Ask your vet to formulate a help-
new vet. Ask questions such as: what kind of animals do you
ful and easy to understand plan.
have, are you a cat or a dog person, and where did you at-
tend veterinary college? Everyone likes others who care about
animals so finding a common bond (even with a trusted family
6
What would you do if this were
your pet?
vet) by talking about life companions is a good place to start. If
a vet does not have any pets or expresses a dislike of animals,
This is a fair question and the better you know
move on.
your vet, the more comfortable you will be
asking it and trusting in their honest opin-
ions. Ask for your vet’s philosophy on surgery,
2
How is my pet’s weight?
which can range from looking at all cases
Look down on your pet from above and notice if there
as potential surgery to “don’t fix it if it isn’t
is a waistline between the rib cage and the hips. Loss of
broken.”
waistline usually means weight gain. Vets sometimes neglect
to cover nutrition fully and often fail to give specific informa-
tion. Paradoxically, no one can say how many cups of food to
give since sizes and metabolic rates vary among animals. Ask
7
Can you refer me to
a specialist for this
for the specific food type and where to find it. Inquire about
problem?
recipes for homemade diets, whether cooked or raw. Inquire
Another opinion is welcomed at times so
if supplements would help.
ask for a referral as well as for alternatives
14
Southwestern Virginia
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