Taking Your Pet to the Vet

When your pet is sick and you need to take him to see a veterinarian:

1. Be on time for your appointment.
2. If your pet bites or scratches, warn the veterinarian and his staff so they know how to approach him.
3. Be as specific about your pet's problem as possible. The information you provide can help greatly to reach an accurate diagnosis and on that basis the outcome of the indicated treatment will be more effective. For example:

c Did your pet's symptoms appear gradually or suddenly?
c Is he listless or in pain (acute, dull, etc.)? Has his temperament changed?
c Is he losing or gaining weight? Eating normally?
c Is he able to urinate? Is the urine clear, watery, dark yellow or bloody?
c Is he able to defecate? Diarrhea? What color? Does he strain?
c Is he vomiting?
c Is he limping?
c Does he have convulsions? How often?
c Can he see? hear? smell?
c Any discharge from eyes? nose? ears? etc.?

4. Take a pen and a note pad to clearly write down any follow-up instructions from the veterinarian and ask him/her to be clear and precise.
5. Follow the veterinarian's instructions as directed.
If in the course of the treatment at home you notice any adverse reaction or a major change other than improvement, notify your veterinarian right away.
6. If a re-check visit is necessary, follow up with it.