Getting The Most Out Of Your Pet’s Vet Appointment

We truly enjoy seeing all of our pet patients, and always want the best possible outcome for them – whether it is regarding general wellness or critical care. At Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we strive to deliver excellent customer service to our clients and superb care to their pets, and hope we meet (if not exceed) those expectations.

However, sometimes we need help from pet owners during appointments to make sure that all the needs of the animal are addressed. We love to answer pet owner’s questions and, in preparation for your pet’s next visit to see us, we suggest bringing some notes and questions to help us serve your pet in the best possible way.

First, The Basics

Committing to your pet’s health and longevity and planning for the future contribute tremendously to his or her overall wellness. We consider preventive care an excellent investment, and we are here to help you develop a long-term health care strategy. Studies show that regularly scheduled preventive care yields better results regarding early detection and treatment.

When your pet visits us for a wellness exam we will perform the following comprehensive health profile:

• A hands-on nose-to-tail exam
• Complete blood count
• Complete chemistry and electrolytes
• Thyroid analysis, if needed
• Urinalysis, if needed
• Feline AIDS and leukemia test (indoor/outdoor felines only)
• Chest X-ray, if needed

Once these baselines are determined, we have insight if future abnormal results are found. Some pets may need dental exams, and questions may arise regarding behavior, skincare, and grooming needs. Bi-annual exams will allow your vet to monitor certain afflictions associated with older pets.

Bring Questions, Take Notes

We love when pet owners are prepared to jump into a wellness appointment with lots of questions and observations and jot down notes throughout the entire discussion. This method ensures that all of the musings you’ve had recently about certain behaviors, patterns, or reactions your pet displays are addressed by your veterinarian.

We consider ourselves partners in your pet’s health care and want to help you feel successful as a pet parent by validating concerns and answering your questions. Other ways to prepare might include:

• Bringing in stool samples – Perhaps you have suspicions about a potential illness or allergy. Bringing in a sample will save time and allow for certain testing and diagnostics.

• Asking about weight or diet – This is common at the top of pet owner’s questions and concerns and we are happy to discuss nutrition, exercise, and possible changes.

• Requesting help with dental hygiene – We strongly encourage pet owners to brush their pet’s teeth and offer lots of tips when dealing with irate, confused, or sensitive pets.

• Inquiring About the VPI PAWS Wellness System – We are thrilled to offer this portal into your pet’s records and allows you to track services, history, and billing.

Taking An Active Role

You love your pet and so do we. We hope you will come prepared to your pet’s vet appointment and remain engaged in your pet’s wellness between visits. We want you to get the most our of your pet’s next appointment. Please call us today and let us know how we can help!