Ensuring the best care for our pet does not only depend on the skill or knowledge of our vet; we, as owners, also need to be informed in order to understand the information we are given and know what to expect. Here are a few things that maybe important to know when taking your pet to the vet.
What Can I Do To Ensure My Pet Is Safe For The Future?
Talk to your vet about your concerns, especially if your pet is to undergo surgery. Avoid your pet spending any time longer than necessary in a veterinary hospital (this may be a more likely cause of colonisation), and don’t allow your pet to be exposed to known carriers of MRSA. Ask if your vet is aware of the guidelines issued by the BSAVA and whether the practice adheres to them. Also, ask whether their premises comply with the BSAVA guidelines and how has that compliance been validated.
What Should I Do If My Vet Keeps Suggesting That My Pet Be Given Antibiotics?
Long courses of antibiotics are one cause of a suppressed immune system. There are conditions that may require a longer course of antibiotics than we may usually expect, but we need to ask our vet to clearly justify it. If antibiotics need to be repeated, we can ask our vet to explain why they haven’t worked. If antibiotics are needed to treat an infected dermatitis, we need to ask our vet what effect both will have on our pet’s immune system. We also need him to take steps to help boost our pet’s immune system.
What Questions Should I ask If My Pet Has To Undergo Surgery?
Ask what antibiotic cover your pet is likely to need prior to any surgery, and what bacteria these antibiotics will kill. Ask what steps they take to minimise the possibility of an infection getting into the surgical wound (such as cleaning the area with iodine and surgical alcohol). Ask whether your vet will be fully gowned and masked and whether another vet will be in charge of anaesthesia. Ask how much your pet will be monitored after the operation, whether the wound will be dressed or not and whether your pet will be in an area with other animals. Ask what signs will tell the vet that an infection is present in the operation wound and what action will be taken if one should occur. Ask if they are aware of any facility that is more expert or familiar with the operation your pet has to undergo, and ask what the policy on referring to specialist centres is. Ask what the normal recover period is and what signs might indicate a post-operative infection.
How Will I Know If My Vet Is Serious About Infection Control?
Ask what procedures your vet has to minimise the possibility of your pet contracting a post-operative infection. Does he (or she) regularly monitor the infection status of their premises? Do they ever swab the practice staff or animals on the site for treatment? Are practice staff trained in infection control and barrier nursing, and who has validated the training?
What Should I Do If I Think My Pet May Have An Infection?
Don’t wait! If your pet has had an operation but is not recovering as expected, TELL YOUR VET. Ask for a clear indication of what they think might be the problem and how they will deal with it. Ask for swabs to be taken for culture immediately, and don’t be fobbed off with any explanation that doesn’t clearly explain what is going on. Ask your vet to be honest about what he or she does and does not know, and don’t encourage them to tell you what you want to hear.
These are just some of the things you can ask; many more may occur to you. The important thing is BE INFORMED and don’t be afraid to let your vet know that you are not ignorant. If he or she doesn’t like that, then they are not worth staying with.