How to Prepare for a Veterinary Office Visit

Here are some tips on how to prepare for a veterinary office visit:
  1. Note the amount of food your pet eats on a daily basis, and his appetite level.
  2. Change your pet’s water daily. Is amount of water drunk each day roughly the same amount?
  3. Look at your pet’s ears. Is there any odor, redness, itchiness or discharge?
  4. Have you noticed any bad breath? How do the teeth and gums look? Does your pet have pain or difficulty eating or swallowing?
  5. Watch for increased frequency, pain, and blood when your pet urinates. Is your pet urinating more often or having “accidents”?
  6. Are bowel movements consistent? Any change in size (diameter) or consistency should be noted (as with urination).
  7. Has your pet experienced weight loss or gain? When did you first notice? Has there been a change in diet?
  8. Have any new shampoos or topical flea treatments been used?
  9. Is your pet on any medications? If yes, for how long? Is the medication adequately effective for your pet’s problem?
  10. Has your pet exhibited any new or odd behaviors? Does this coincide with any changes to the household (new baby, new pet, remodeling, etc.)?
  11. Have you noted any possible exposure to pesticides, rat poison, household plants, chocolate, antifreeze, etc.?
  12. 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)?
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Call your vet when you first notice that your pet is ill or “just not himself or herself.”
  17. 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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