A veterinary appointment consists of three main parts:

1) the history: the owner’s presentation of the chief complaint – their time to explain in detail the problem they have noticed and what has been going on

2) the doctor’s physical examination and/or diagnostic tests

3) the doctor’s discussion of medical recommendations based on the symptoms and test results

The veterinary field is unique (well not to pediatrics, but generally) in that they have someone else presenting information on behalf of an individual who cannot do so for themselves. And unless Bunny the Talking Dog’s button-pushing becomes more mainstream, we will continue to rely on pet parents to fill us in on what is going on.

History taking is my favourite part. There is a definite art to it — a way to know which questions to ask — and it is a skill that is honed over years.

Essentially, I get to play detective: to tease out which parts of the story presented are most relevant to getting to my medical diagnosis. The history is also my favourite part because it’s when I get to hear about the pet’s lives with their owners — each unique and incredibly varied.

I am still constantly amazed by the deep connection owners have with their pets. I wish I could share how detailed and insightful some of the medical histories I get are (but you know … confidentiality).

Of course we know pets are in tune with their owners.

Changed jobs? new morning make-up routine? expecting? … your pet knows something is different. This is not surprising … but what often continues to surprise me is how well owners know their pet, how in tune THEY are to their “particular particularities,” routines, preferences and habits.

I had a Siamese cat owner explain that their cat demanded (actually used the word demanded) the shrimp from Costco and would not even look at the “PC stuff.”

As entertaining as these anecdotes might be, they help me immensely! (OK, well maybe not what brand of shrimp Sassy prefers) but vets are trained to pick up on the pertinent parts — the subtle changes that might flag a potential medical issue.

Noticed Sassy started drinking from the tap and now asks to have it turned on seven times a day instead of 3 times a day? Relevant.

Noticed Lucy jumps differently and has been laying on her dog bed instead of the couch? Relevant.

Noticed Sparky won’t go down the stairs unless the light is on? Relevant.

Noticed Zeus will only eat the canned food and leaves the kibble behind? Relevant.

All of these little tidbits are clues. They may prompt me to pay particular attention to a given area on the physical examination … or order some diagnostic tests.

Sassy might need bloodwork to rule out kidney disease or diabetes. Lucy will need a work-up to rule out a source of pain, and potentially some hip X-rays. Sparky should have an ophthalmic exam to differentiate between lenticular sclerosis (normal aging) or early cataract formation. Zeus needs his teeth checked.

Of course not all clues lead to a diagnosis. And sometimes clues can send you off in the wrong direction, and you may need to circle back and re-assess if you don’t find your answer.

But, all of this highlights the utmost importance of the owner in all of this!

Veterinary medicine is a team approach: including the owner. It’s called the VPCR (the veterinary-patient-client-relationship) for a reason. They need to have input and help with decisions. They know their pet best (and boy, do they know them well).

It is so important to find a veterinary team you trust and that you connect with. This will only benefit your pet in the end. They cannot speak so we have to be their advocates. The combination of our medical expertise — scientific ways of measuring and understanding when an animal is in pain or uncomfortable — has to be coupled with their owner’s deep understanding of them as individuals.