Every vet works with an intention to provide best cure to his patient. For treatment success, a vets expertise should always be complimented by owners cooperation, understanding and patience,

Treating a pet is unlike treating a human being since they cannot tell their plight; hence it becomes completely important to know the history. And, I come across people who just present the case without telling anything about the ailment. At these times, it really becomes difficult to correctly and treat the case. In vet practice, history of the case is the key to diagnose the problem. So, if a proper, detailed and correct history is not available, the vet is placed in a very uncomfortable situation. I would briefly like to discuss a case that the pulled one of my friend a practicing vet in Kolkata to a serious state to dilemma- what to do and what not?

A GSD pup, four months of age, was presented with the problem of diarrhea and vomiting. Nothing could be pinpointed from the vague history provided by the owner. The pup was symptomatically treated and was all right in two days. But the problem recurred after a day. The laboratory examination done this time hinted towards toxemia (poisoning) but the cause could not be pinpointed since the owner was non-cooperative. With symptomatic treatment, the problem again subsided in two days but recurred again after a day. To find a clue, I made a visit to their house and inspected the place. Fortunately, that was the time when their mind was cleaning the floor with phenyl water and the pup was happily drinking the water and this was the problem.

Many such incidents happen wherein a vet cannot do anything without the help of the pets owner.

Basic questions for proper diagnosis and good treatment response

When it happened?

How it happened?

How it progressed?

Was it treated If yes, how?

Common poisonous cases in pets, which only owner can tell

Pet getting exposed to manure put in the garden.

pet eating cement and licking paint during construction in the house

pet picking toxic substances form the park

Pet given bath with an insecticidal shampoo

Pet getting exposed to certain poisonous compounds present in house.

Steps for effective treatment out come

Pets cannot voice their ailments. Being a responsible owner also means to help the pet to speak out though our voice. Only then, the vet can help your best friends to live a healthy life.

1. Bringing the pet immediately to the vet- Avoidance in timely turn up to the vet may have serious consequences since the damages to various systems of the body may get aggravated. Since the pet cannot tell this plight, it is your prime responsibility to take him to a vet for timely diagnosis and treatment.

2. Avoiding self- medication Some pet owners do not take the ailments seriously and indulge in self- medication. This not only kills time but also any wrong treatment done may turn a smile case to complicated one, making it difficult for a vet to handle.

3. Following the prescribed treatment schedule Treatment is not magic. Every disease has a course of therapy, which if not followed properly, may lead to treatment failure and disease relapse.

4. Carrying the vaccination and other treatment records- Certain viral diseases are very dangerous and difficult to treat. Present the record f the vaccination against these diseases to enable your vet to determine the course of treatment. Absence of the previous treatment records also poses difficulty in deciding the further course of treatment.

Caring for the sick animals Love, care and affection is the key successful treatment. If ignored, even most effective treatment could also go down the drain.