Talking to an Equine Veterinarian
Knowing What to Say to the Vet Makes the Process Smoother
Oct 25, 2008
From once-a-year check-ups to colic surgery, most horse owners have to talk to an equine veterinarian at least a few times every year. Unfortunately, these visits are often less than productive because owners don't outline what they want to ask or take notes during the visit.
Equine veterinarians are busy folks, sometimes seeing twenty or more horses in a single day. Although many are kind enough to remember their patient's names and details of their history, expecting such personalized care isn't a good idea. Instead, horse owners need to be prepared before they visit the vet.
Make a List
Lists aren't always practical when a horse owner has an emergency situation, but for planned visits for check-ups or illnesses, a list of pertinent questions is advised. Equine veterinarians can sometimes seem like they are trying to hurry patients through visits, and a list will ensure all questions are answered.
- How often should the horse be medicated?
- Are there any potential side effects to medication?
- How long before the horse should be worked again?
- Does the illness require quarantine?
These questions and more are important whenever horse owners visit an equine veterinarian, and there might also be issues that have cropped up over the last few months, such as cribbing or a change in feeding habits. A check-up or a visit for another reason is a good time to get all the little questions answered.
Take Notes
During a visit with an equine veterinarian, horse owners should scribble down instructions and explanations with a pad and pen. Having a written record of what was said will eliminate the need for follow-up calls to ask the same questions all over again.
Furthermore, an equine veterinarian might prescribe a complex list of treatments for injuries and illnesses. If the instructions are written down, horse owners are less likely to make mistakes that could jeopardize their horse's health.
Ask for Clarification
Equine veterinarians sometimes do not realize when they slip back into industry jargon that laymen don't understand. For example, a vet might recommend hydro therapy for lamenesses or several grams of phenylbutazone for pain relief. If horse owners don't understand what those instructions mean, it's important to ask.
Hand Over the Horse
Even to a greater degree than in human medicine, an equine veterinarian diagnoses in a very hands-on way. He might want to watch the horse trot on a lunge line to diagnose a lameness or have a veterinary technician hold a horse during injections.
Horse owners should respect an equine veterinarian's need to touch the horse and handle him. Many owners are protective of their horses and reluctant to relinquish the lead rope, but veterinarians have rules and procedures for a reason. Unless holding his own horse is medically relevant, an owner should be willing to step back during examinations.
Talking to an equine veterinarian isn't scary, nor should it be cause for concern. However, having a plan in advance will make visits to the vet much easier, and horses will be healthier if their owners are proactive about this type of event.
