MKGeagle
]]>Because veterinarians often work with a team of professionals, including technicians and qualified support staff, you will likely want to evaluate the entire vet team’s competence and caring. If you think the veterinarian is terrific but don’t care for one of her staff, you may not be happy. On the other hand, while the location may be convenient and the fees may suit your budget, you may not feel comfortable about some other aspect of the facility. Weigh the factors that are important to you, but remember you will probably be happier if you drive a few extra miles or pay a few extra dollars to get the care you desire for your pet.
How Do I Find the Right Veterinarian?
The best way to find a good veterinarian is to ask people who have the same approach to pet care as you. Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, animal shelter worker, dog trainer, groomer, boarding kennel employee, or pet sitter. Check the Yellow Pages under “Veterinarians” and “Animal Hospitals,” where important information may also be provided about hours, services, and staff. You can also search for veterinarians in your area at http://www.pets911.com.
Some veterinary hospitals are members of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). AAHA membership signifies that a veterinary hospital has voluntarily pursued and met AAHA’s standards in the areas of facility, equipment, and quality care. Other veterinarians are board certified in a particular area of veterinary medicine such as ophthalmology, surgery, or cardiology, which means they studied an additional two to four years in the specialty area and passed a rigorous examination.
Once you’ve narrowed your search, schedule a visit to meet the staff, tour the facility, and learn about the hospital’s philosophy and policies. This is a reasonable request that any veterinarian should be glad to oblige. Write down your questions ahead of time.
What Do I Look For?
Is the facility clean, comfortable, and well-organized?
Are appointments required?
How many veterinarians are in the practice?
Are there technicians or other professional staff members?
Are dog and cat cages in separate areas?
Is the staff caring, calm, competent, and courteous, and do they communicate effectively?
Do the veterinarians have special interests such as geriatrics or behavior?
Do fees fit your budget, and are discounts for senior citizens or multi-pet households available?
Are x-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, EKG, endoscopy, and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?
Which emergency services are available?
Is location and parking convenient?
How Can I Be a Good Veterinary Client?
Learn what is normal for your pet so you recognize the first signs of illness, and see your vet regularly for preventive visits, not only when your pet becomes ill. If a pet is not well, don’t wait until she is really sick before calling your vet. It is frustrating for a vet, and heartbreaking to owners, to see an animal die of an illness that could have been treated successfully if professional care had begun sooner.
Schedule appointments, be on time, and—for your pet’s safety as well as that of other clients and pets—bring your pet to the veterinary office on a leash or in a carrier. Even if you have an emergency, call ahead to ensure that the veterinarian is available. An emergency may occur when your vet is not available, so ask for a referral to an emergency veterinary facility.
Before it becomes necessary, take a practice drive to the veterinary office, since trying to find it when you really need it can cost precious minutes. Post the office’s number near your telephone for quick access. Do not disturb your veterinarian during non-working hours for matters that can wait, and do not expect your veterinarian to diagnose a pet’s problem over the telephone.
How Can I Be a Responsible Pet Caregiver?
Prevent pet overpopulation and gain a happier, healthier pet by having your animal spayed or neutered. Keep your pet safe indoors, adopt a pet for life, and choose a caring and competent veterinarian who will provide years of quality medical care for your beloved companion animal.
As a pet owner, you are ultimately responsible for your pet’s care. If you feel your needs as a client or the needs of your pet as a patient are not being met, it may be time to find a new veterinarian. However, many situations are a result of misunderstandings, which can be resolved through talking things out and looking for solutions. If you cannot resolve a fee or treatment dispute with your vet, you may contact the ethics and grievance committee of your local or state veterinary association and/or the American Veterinary Medical Association. For serious issues of medical competence, you may file a formal complaint with the Veterinary Licensing Board in your state. And finally, you can take up the matter as a civil suit with your attorney. You can hopefully avoid such unpleasant experiences by carefully and thoughtfully choosing your veterinarian—your pet’s second-best friend.
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This is what happened-
Both my cats are two year old yellow/orange tabby brothers.
I have had Sammy since he was a kitten and he is much braver and confident than Twitch who lived with another lady for around 2 years and I just adopted him when she returned her 4 kitties to the shelter because the boyfriend had allergies (personally, the boyfriend would have had to go if it was me)
Anyway, Sammy was very jealous at first but came to love Twitch a lot. He help him clean and they play very hard.
My vet tech told me that what happened to Twitch is not uncommon and nothing to worry about.
These sores come from Cats playing and scratching each other, when the skin closes the bacteria breed and then the sore opens.
She said they usually get them on their neck or back.
Twitches sore started out as just a tender place on his back that I discovered while petting and massaging his back.
The next time I noticed it it was a pretty good size lump.
Then a day or two later it began oozing lots of nasty, really bad smelling puss
Then all the hair came off the sore and it was this huge raw opening about 1 1/2 inch in diameter.
The open sore was discovered on Sunday and I was so upset I couldn’t even eat, I cleaned it with Peroxide that night which was very painful for him (she said that was good to use or another first aid cleaner)
What a relief when Monday I called my friend and found out that this is not uncommon and the oozing and hair coming off is a good thing and part of the healing process.
The sore is healing very well now and I am very relieved.
Best Wishes to you all, and hope you never have this happen to your baby, but if you do, now you know not to worry.
And that’s all.
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