Understanding Vets and Questions to Ask

Course Complete

Understanding who vets are and how they have been trained prepares you.

Understanding Vets

Vets are often approached by people wanting them to DO something. Sometimes, perhaps often, the vet doesn’t know what the problem is. That’s when the vitamins, the antibiotics come out. Or the expensive tests. Or worse, the investigative surgery. And fearful theories fly around, intensifying your anxiety.

They don't understand about asking for causes.

Instead of looking to vets to solve all your animal’s problem, as the medical/veterinary profession has been leading people to do, stop, consider, think. Be objective. Is this just a blip that will pass? Is this the start of something? Does it really need immediate attention?

Of corse you care, but panic doesn’t help anyone.

Most people are doing the best they can, vets included. However, as your animal’s carer, it is your responsibility to care for them as best you can. And that means only using the services of those who are aligned with your philosophy or who can take you further down that path.

It’s up to you to show vets that you’re a thinking, responsible person. Ask a lot of questions. Never take their word for anything. Treat them as the equals they are. Be polite even if they’re not. Be ready to thank them and say you’ll think about what they said. They dislike that, but are powerless to do anything about it.

When one person refused their suggestions and took her cat home, the vets called the local SPCA, who contacted her. It seems some are unable to appreciate free choice. A stock in hand comment could be that you’re seeking a second opinion. Or feel that the home environment is more conducive to healing (which it is).

The medical, and veterinary industry tend to exaggerate and use emotional blackmail. Often they say ‘if you don’t do XYZ, then they may go blind/get ABC/die.

The big vet companies are orientated around money, not compassion. And, sadly, they’re taking over some of the better, smaller, independent ones.

Vets don’t have crystal balls. The research they quote is frequently very flawed as most is financed by the drug companies (it is estimated that 85% of all medical/veterinary research is flawed in one way or another). No consideration is given to a healthy immune system, a quality raw diet, a vax-free animal, a loving home, all of which go a long way in maintaining good health.

When I use vets, as I need them for sterilisation, I demand that they are respectful of me and my needs. If they aren’t, I move on to the next one. I have found that rural vets and those who have experience (the older ones) tend to be much more helpful and HUMAN. They don’t put on airs or indulge in fear tactics as much as the urban or younger ones do.

I only call them by their first name. No title. A title automatically puts them on a higher level than you, in your unconscious mind, making you more likely to defer.

If there is only one vet in your area, it can be hard to pick and choose. But you can still be very clear in what you want and refuse anything you don’t want. The thing is not to be intimidated by them. They are just people, like you. So stand tall, look them in the eye and ask lots of questions.

Questions to Ask Vets

Chris Wark of chrisbeatcancer.com has some fabulous stock-in-trade questions to ask oncologists. I have adapted some here.

Questions to ask when a vet suggests a drug/vaccine/surgery:

What are the short term side effects?
What are the long term side effects?
Are any of the effects life threatening?
Can they be safely used with other drugs my animal is on?
How long has this drug been around?
If new, is it in the experimental stage?
Is this treatment curative or palliative?
How long is it likely my animal will need to be on it?
What success rate have you seen personally with this?

If the vet insists on a vaccine before they treat your animal, use the above questions, but add on these:

Doesn’t the insert suggest that it’s inappropriate to vaccinate an already ailing animal?
Can I see it please? (you’ll need a powerful magnifying glass, if they still have one)
What is the object of a vaccine?
If the answer is to prevent a disease, ask how
Then if they say it will boost the immune system, ask them that this is already compromised with the illness, so how can a vaccine help that?
Is it true that the drug company reps tell you to maximise the visit by adding on and that’s why you’re suggesting a vaccine?
Will you lose your licence if you don't insist on vaccinating every animal you see?

Be prepared to take your animal elsewhere. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Have a plan B.

Vets are not the same as they used to be. I think it was the books and films about James Herriot that romanticised vets and made them appealing. And the drug companies wasted no time in dominating the veterinary schools, which were always short of money.

Comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Module 7 - Vets Can Do More Harm