How to Prepare for a Veterinary Office Visit
Here are some tips on how to prepare for a veterinary office visit:
- Note the amount of food your pet eats on a daily basis, and his appetite level.
- Change your pet’s water daily. Is amount of water drunk each day roughly the same amount?
- Look at your pet’s ears. Is there any odor, redness, itchiness or discharge?
- Have you noticed any bad breath? How do the teeth and gums look? Does your pet have pain or difficulty eating or swallowing?
- Watch for increased frequency, pain, and blood when your pet urinates. Is your pet urinating more often or having “accidents”?
- Are bowel movements consistent? Any change in size (diameter) or consistency should be noted (as with urination).
- Has your pet experienced weight loss or gain? When did you first notice? Has there been a change in diet?
- Have any new shampoos or topical flea treatments been used?
- Is your pet on any medications? If yes, for how long? Is the medication adequately effective for your pet’s problem?
- Has your pet exhibited any new or odd behaviors? Does this coincide with any changes to the household (new baby, new pet, remodeling, etc.)?
- Have you noted any possible exposure to pesticides, rat poison, household plants, chocolate, antifreeze, etc.?
- Bring all past immunization records with you if the veterinarian doesn’t have your pet’s records. Were any problems noted after the last vaccinations(s)?
- If you (and your vet) are monitoring a lump, a good way to keep track of changes is to trace the perimeter of the lump on wax paper, date it and check it weekly or monthly.
- Noting any of the above changes on a calendar or in a notebook will be a great help in recognizing new developments with your pet’s health.
- The information presented to your doctor at Gruda Veterinary Hospital will enable your doctor to diagnose and care for your pet as compassionately & efficiently as possible.
- Call your vet when you first notice that your pet is ill or “just not himself or herself.”
- Ask your vet to show you how to care for your pet’s ears and teeth at home, for routine maintenance.
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