Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Open Access

Description

The physical examination begins before the veterinarian ever touches the animal. The traditional teachings of look smell and then are as important as ever. Excellent veterinarians avoid making diagnostic decisions driven by laboratory derived data that bypass the physical examination. When possible the animal temperature and weight should be recorded before the veterinary enters the examination room. This provides the nursing staff the chance to communicate with the animal care taker, gather pertinent information note changes in weight and identify the owner’s primary concerns or requests. The veterinarian may review these findings with owner if there are questions about the history or why the pet is being presented for examination. And also skilled technicians know how to talk to the owner and the animal and help to relax rather than frighten the pet.

This is a good time for the staff to record current medications and dosages being administered, prophylactic agents being utilized an herbal or other supplements being administered. The animal vaccination and reproductive status should be identified in the record. Knowing the current diet being fed can save valuable doctor time and should be recorded. Notation and medication should always be accompanied by the owner’s perception of their efficacy, since this information may influence future treatment and prognosis. Nursing staff may also utilize this time to provide valuable client information on subjects the veterinarian may have limited time to discuss. Examples include new vaccine programs, wellness programs, micro chipping information, behaviour and products to aid in training and health as well as office financial policies. Always attempt to provide the client with an on-time, efficient examination. Reading material should be available if there is a likelihood of the pet caretaker having to wait. Pet owners should be given an indication of the doctor’s schedule and the length of a delay, if any is anticipated. Providing the client with this information can offset frustration, anger, or anxiety.

Every veterinarian observing the pet and meeting the caretaker and approached a pet in his or her way. With time it becomes second nature. It is important to develop proper animal handling skills. Clients observe a great deal during this process and may determine before any recommendations are made just how trusting they will be. Gentle are, compassion, concern, and attention cannot be overemphasized. It is good for the veterinarian to restate the client concerns because this allows the pet caretaker to know that you have been listening and are being attentive to them. The process beings as the veterinarian enters the examination area where the owner and pet are waiting. A friendly greeting and a small but appropriate amount of banner are often appreciated. An occasional client makes it clear that the veterinarian should get down to business. People appreciate being greeted and particularly like being acknowledgement.

The importance of letting each client knows that the veterinarian acres about him to her and the pet cannot be overemphasized. This must be done in a genuine way, reflected in dialog, attention, body language and actions. Such a sense of community is far more likely to be appreciated and will be recognized a more genuine than superficial attempts like having we care poor some other logo stamped on hospital leashes or stationery. Clients value compassion as much as possession of knowledge. The smartest veterinarian may never have the opportunity to demonstrate his or her skills if concern and caring are not expressed in a way that is meaningful to the client. In fact clients are likely to be antagonistic toward veterinarian who fails to express compassion. Complaints are likely to be made much more frequently about an arrogant veterinarian than about own who is poorly trained or medically inadequate bur friendly and compassionate. Ultimately an excellent veterinarian approaches the case with both medical skill and personal empathy. Professionals with a disproportionately higher number of malpractice claims may be readily separated from those with fewer claims by evaluation of their examinations room attitude.