Is your vet a safe bet?
NOWADAYS more and more city dwellers are opening their homes to animals of all kinds. Sadly despite that, our veterinary sector is quite poor and it seems as though it will remain like that for years to come. Even the most well known vets have their share of horror stories. Most of them charge outlandish prices and do not provide equal care in return.
Before you open your doors to a pet, be it a chicken or a dog, you must have at least two vets on your contact list. You never know when you will need them. There are some factors you should consider when you pick your vet and a few warning signs you should look out for.
First off, you should take note of his reputation. There are plenty of Facebook groups where you can ask around and get the general consensus on any vet's skills. Personally, I have yet to find a vet offering the complete package. Government doctors are your safest bets.
Though the conditions of their chambers are poor, their skills as a vet more than make up for it. But that is my personal opinion. You must form your own viewpoint regarding your chosen vet. If you have the time, you should visit a few of the chambers so you can know about the conditions and build a good rapport with them before bringing the patient in.
If your pet is about to have a major surgery, you have to know everything beforehand. Such as where and how he is operating, what the aftercare will be, the duration of the anesthetic, what medicine to give them etc. When I spayed one of my dogs, my vet bandaged her with a sock. That's right, a SOCK. She was bleeding profusely because the sock was creating pressure on one side of the stitches making the other side massively bloated. It was the worst experience I have ever had with a so called medical professional. We immediately made him change her dressing. What astounded me was the fact that he claimed to have done it to every other animal he operated on. This is just an example of what could go wrong and adds another question to ask.
A few other information you should take note of is the costs and accessibility. Is he available at all hours, does he take house calls etc. Pets are like humans; you never know when you'll need to rush them to a doctor.
You need to take note of his facilities and how clean it is. Ask to take a look at his operating chambers. And ask about the manufacturer of all injections he is administrating on your pet. If there is blood or urine on the floor and if he has no assistants to help him, turn the other way. Remember, you are not only bringing your pet to the vet but also to his supporting staff; make sure they are properly equipped.
Lastly, his personality and overall relationship with animals should be noted. How he behaves with your pet is of utmost importance. He needs to have passion. But in turn you also need to be friendly and communicative.
Once you have found the man for the job, you need to have regular visits. You should go at least thrice a year. If your pet shows any warning signs, don't wait for it to get worse. Contact or visit the vet immediately. Even the smallest problems can turn serious. Keep a notebook outlining your visits to the doctor and keep all his prescriptions in a safe place.
Home fixes
Sometimes in an emergency, you will be forced to take drastic action. Other times, they might have a less serious issue that you can fix at home. A few rules you should always abide by is, firstly, to keep your pet hydrated at all times. Do not give them medicine without permission from your vet; a lot of human medicine is toxic to animals.
It is not always easy to tell if your dog or cat has a fever, but feeling their nose is a good indicator. If your pets' nose is wet and cool then it's a good sign that they're healthy. But if it's warm and dry, there's a chance they have a fever. Wet a cloth and dab it behind their ears. Keep them in a cool room and give them some cold water to drink. If the fever persists for more than a day, you need to take them to a doctor.
Occasionally your companion may have a wheezing or sneezing attack. These usually pass on their own. But if it stays longer than usual you can help ease it off. Place your hand on their throat and rub gently in a clockwise motion.
If you can see them struggling to have their bowel movements, you need to take immediate action. Milk of magnesia is the safest human medicine you can give them. Don't stop your pet if they eat grass as it's a natural way that makes the process of elimination easier.
Seizures are scary for pet owners to deal with. There are different causes for seizures but the most common is low blood sugar. Luckily, this is the easiest one to deal with. Provide them with a source of glucose. Honey, sweetened water or a sweet syrup works. Make sure a bowl of water is nearby. Move them to a safe place and be sure to stay by their side to provide comfort.
Remember though that your first precautionary step needs to be taken even before you adopt your pet. Insist on checking the health condition of any pet you wish to adopt and ask to be provided with any relevant medical records. Too many animals are sold or given for adoption despite being ill and if the new owner is not informed then it can only spell disaster.
Well that is all you need to know. If you have any questions or need a firsthand account of things, talk to people in Facebook groups. You can even contact me at dkhann7@yahoo.com. Good luck.
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