PET PET PEEVES

I have some of the best Vets around. I am sure other people would debate that and I am sure that there are other Veterinarians out there who are better or smarter so on and so forth. I am just saying that for my dogs, my cats (in the past) and me, I have the ones I am happiest with.

There are a bunch of them. Unfortunately, as I no longer work there, I don't know who the new ones are. And I can promise you, there are some real clunkers out there. Consequently I tend to stick close to the ones I have worked with. Doc, Ms Doc and KatDoc.

Doc is the Bossman. As a diagnostician he is excellent. As a dedicated Vet he is unsurpassed. As a businessman he is sharp and aggressive. Which means sometimes he has other things on his mind and this is my biggest pet peeve about Veterinarians is when I feel I do not have their FULL ATTENTION. I think this happens to me perhaps more than others because having worked there I am expected to understand that sometimes things are crazy. But when I come to Doc with a dog question, I expect his undivided attention.

When I don't get it, I get annoyed.
I will call a Vet on this. I will tell them that I am getting impression they are thinking about something else but could they please listen to what I am saying. I may go to one of the other Vets and explain that Vet#1 is apparently too busy to concentrate. I know the message will be passed along. Techs are less likely to pass such messages.

"I expect his undivided attention"

Techs who are scattered and frantic are another peeve. I am not awed by Techs having been one. I know there are good days and insane days when they are expected to be doing 10 things at once. And then here I come, needing a bandage on a bleeding nail. But if a Tech seems to be paying attention to something else, I will even say "Hey, can we do this, first, ok?" And if I have to intercede a second time I will simply stop them, and ask for a tech who is not as busy. Usually this brings them back to earth.
On the other hand, a good Tech is worth her weight in gold and it is nice to be nice. I have, already a reputation for being a real bitch, but I am NEVER a bitch to those who do their jobs well.

With Bassets a pet peeve is rolling them over by their legs. I always yell and holler about that. You have to know that I go in the back with my dogs for xrays and other treatments. Rarely do I allow them to be taken into the back without me.

For example: if you give my Bassets a shot in their shoulders, they develop huge lumps every time. I want to be there to remind the techs-- no no! in the hips, please!

"I want to be sure they are looking at that file"

My Belgian cannot have certain drugs. It is in his file. I want to be there to be sure they are LOOKING AT THAT FILE. I know it is terrible, but sometimes even the best Vet misses what is writ in red in the front of the file: ALLERGIC TO PENICILLIN is a prime example.

Most of all I want a Vet who is going to tell it like it is. I do not need to have my Vet pretend he knows more than he does. If he needs help with something, I expect him to tell me this is beyond his expertise and I need a referral. If I ask for a second opinion, I do not expect snotty behavior. I expect my Veterinarians to understand and agree and not sulk and be hurt. This is MY dog, and I am going to be sure he gets every possible advantage available to him.
By the same token I want to know what my dog's actual outlook is. If he is not going to make it, I expect to be told. I want to know his chances, the timeline, and what to expect. I want it right out front so I understand. I don't want a lot of equivocation. Some people do.

                                       I don't expect Attitude if I ask for a second opinion

And finally I expect a courteous and pleasant experience. I try to understand that at 6pm on Saturday when they have been working non-stop since 7 in the morning that they may be tired and worn out and at the end of their ropes, and so I try to go in at a reasonable time. I try not to wait. Nothing is as annoying as the client who calls 5 minutes before closing and announces that their dog has been vomiting blood for three days should they come in? However, once there, they deserve pleasant and alert service. I try hard to be understanding, having walked in those shoes myself. Sometimes, it is simply more than you can expect.

                      Sometimes, alertness is a little more than you can seriously expect

So when you go to the Vet, know what the symptoms are. Know whether you need to call ahead (if your dog is bloating, hit by a car, choking, collapsed-- give them a heads-up while you are on the way so they can be ready.)
Above all remember that you and your Veterinarian should ideally be a TEAM. If you are feeling constantly antagonized or as if your Vet has missed something, time to find a new Vet. Really, you owe it to your dog.                                                            

ABOVE ALL ELSE. YOU ARE YOUR DOG'S ADVOCATE. YOU AND YOUR VETERINARIAN SHOULD BE A TEAM ON YOUR DOG'S BEHALF.