Ehh, What’s up, Doc? Make sure of asking this thing every once in a while. Not that I am wishing you to get sick or something, all I am asking is to get a regular checkup, and on this forum, it would be a health checkup for your pet. Most of the pets are delicate beings, and they can get sick very easily, depending upon factors like adapting to a new diet to a change in weather. Every little variation in their habitat is like a huge leap for them, which they have to cross in order to survive. If they are unable to do so, they might easily fall sick. So, regular visits need to be paid to the veterinarian. In addition to that, there is a need to provide regular and mandatory vaccinations to your pet from time to time, as mentioned by your vet. A few points that you must keep in your mind to make your visit successful are mentioned here.
- Make a note
It is human nature that we forget very easy. Keep a notepad or some sticky notes with you, and write whatever comes to your mind, that you need to enquire about from your pet’s vet. Usually you have a lot of questions that come to your mind in the week’s duration, which generally wash out by the time you have to visit the vet. So it would obviously be better, if you already have a list of questions before going to the vet, which can be revised whenever required.
- Past Details
Remember that your vet will ask you about your pet. So, if you got it as a gift or something, or you don’t have enough information about what diet or feed it is getting, its play time, the way it is treated etc., then do some homework. Get some information about your pet, which would help you in the future course. Also get information about the past vets you have paid a visit to, if you are changing your vet. Most importantly, carry the previous medication prescription of your pet with you, so that the vet can get an idea as in what condition, the pet is residing in, which would help the vet in judging the problem and diagnosing the pet easily.
- Bring Samples
Remember bringing samples of urine and stool of your pet. These are included in the diagnosis, and many a times, the pet doesn’t want to relieve itself in a foreign and unknown environment. So it is advised to carry a fresh sample of your pet’s stool and urine before going to the vet.
- Manage time
Keep in mind that diagnosing can take hours, and if you are going to the vet without an appointment, add up a few more hours waiting for your turn, especially during the peak time. If you are seeing the vet after a long time, get ample time and then reach the vet. Keep on paying regular and small visits to the vet, so that even the pet can get used to the procedure, and regular checkups can be done on the pet. So, if you are getting a pet, you will have to reshuffle your schedule, and make entries in that schedule like Playtime with pet, Time for Vet visit etc.
- Talk Openly
This suggestion is given to one and all. It is told that you should talk openly and truly in front of a doctor or a vet. Just tell them, whatever problem you are facing, without hesitating or feeling weird about it. Your pet cannot speak, and the vet can take quite a time to determine what the dog is suffering from, as the symptoms cannot be seen in the limited time available. You have to tell the vet about the various numerous kinds of problems being faced by the pet in the course of time, which would be thought as symptoms to the vet, with the help of which, he/she can easily determine the problem in the pet and can easily work or prescribe medicines to cure the problem.
- Miscellaneous
A few other quick tips to be kept in mind before paying a visit to the vet include keeping a record of dog’s moods in the past days, and presenting it to the vet, bringing treats or something to divert their consciousness from the ongoing examination of your pet. Some blood tests to be performed on a pet, ask for a fast for 12-15 hours. Blood cannot be taken out of the pet if the duration is lesser than that, as the tests to be performed ask for the fast. Inform all the symptoms that you see in your pet, and feel that this wasn’t the way, the vet used to behave. Your pet might need to undergo a surgery if there is some major problem. Just be calm and patient and everything will get fine. Just follow the prescriptions and schedules given by the vet. Timely vaccinations of the pet must be done, as is the requirement. These vaccinations would help the pet to stay fit and fine, and if they try harming someone, it won’t be able to o so.