Going to your vet is a very important part of your pets well being. Choosing your vet is also key to your pets health. It is important that you are comfortable and really trust your vet as you are your dogs caregiver. If you are going in for a physical make sure you note anything that seems different or has changed and bring that up. Especially if it is a new vet who you have not seen before and does not know your pet. Eastern and Western medicine have very different approaches when it comes to exams so whatever resonates with you is the best choice. There are some great DVMs who have added holistic care to their practice, this is a great combination and really gives your pet the best of both worlds as it pertains to their physical and mental well being.
If it is an emergency situation or your pet is sick it helps to bring a friend with you, who can really absorb what is being said. A lot of times the pet parent is so worried that they are really not hearing what the vet is saying or remembering the conversation. I know when mine have been really sick I am in panic mode and not always absorbing what is said ie blah blah blah… death and usually it is never that bad. If you really trust your vet it definitely takes a lot of the angst out of a scary situation.
If you are seeing a new vet for the first time make sure they see your dog as a whole being and not in parts or pieces. I recently had a client take their twelve year old dog in to a specialist for a cataract check not a huge deal, but the vet decided that the eye needed to be removed immediately. This was unexpected and shocking to them. They were also not getting a great explanation as to why the eye needed to be removed. Their dog still had great vision and in addition he also had some lung issues so putting him under was risky. This vet was looking at one part of the dog and not the whole being. They were then handed a price list and told not to wait. Luckily through their tears and panic they walked out of the office calmed down and got a second opinion. There dog is fine and thriving with both eyes in tact. There are definitely emergency situations that require immediate action, but remember you are your dogs guardian and if something does not ring true to you it is worth taking a moment and a big breath and thinking it through. In human medicine it is common to get a second or third opinion for medical issues, and the same is true for our pets. Below is a great link for a check list to bring with you on vet visit day.
wishing you and your pets a happy healthy 2015
http://www.petwellbeing.com/blog/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-vet-visit-2