Establishing a Relationship with a Vet BEFORE

Establishing a Relationship with a Vet Before You Need One

Susan Tarczewski Claremont, NH

One of the most stressful times in the life of a pet owner is when a medical emergency happens. For those who don’t have a regular veterinarian, that stress is multiplied. They are forced to call around searching for a vet to see them, or traveling to an emergency vet at great expense. The delay can be painful and scary for the animal, distressing for the owner, and may even have life-threatening consequences. At Sullivan County Humane Society, we recommend establishing a relationship with a veterinarian when you get a new pet. This simple step can save so much time and difficulty in the event of a sudden illness or injury.

All cats adopted out at Sullivan County Humane Society are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on shots, and have been treated for any health problems. Despite that, when I recently adopted Birdie, one of the first things I did was schedule an appointment with our vet’s office. When Birdie arrived at SCHS she had mammary cysts, a condition arising most frequently in unspayed female cats. These cysts frequently become cancerous especially in cats who are not “fixed.” After her spay surgery, Birdie’s cysts were expected to gradually disappear, but needed careful observation. I brought the medical records provided by SCHS, and she had a quick and simple examination by the vet, who carefully recorded her observations so that we’ll be able to monitor the cysts

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for changes. Equally important, should Birdie become ill or get hurt, help is just a call and a short drive away!

Much like humans may (and should) go for yearly checkups, pets should, too! Animals are notorious for “masking,” or hiding, their pain and discomfort. A veterinarian knows how to check for signs of illness that an owner might not have any idea about. For example, “dog breath” might be simply be from a buildup of tartar, but can also be an indication of gastric problems, kidney disease, an infection, or even diabetes. Also important is allowing your vet to get to know your pet while he or she is feeling well, to provide a baseline from which any changes can be measured.

You, however, know your pets better than anyone. Pay attention to their behavior, so that you can talk with your vet about any unusual observations. Some more obvious concerns might be vomiting or diarrhea,

Birdie & Jezebel lumps and bumps, crying or whining, or discharge from eyes and nose. More subtle concerns could include a change in appetite or activity level, increased shedding of hair, or hiding in a normally social animal. If an animal is unable to stand or to urinate, is having seizures or significant vomiting or diarrhea, call a vet without delay. A dog with bloat, a painful and life-threatening emergency, may pant, pace or act restless, retch or cough, or have a swollen belly. When in doubt, a call to a vet who knows you and your pet can go a long way toward easing your mind or leading to further action.

If you have any questions about this or other issues to do with your pets, please call the Sullivan County Human Society. Our mission is to preserve, protect, and provide for stray, neglected, and abused animals in Sullivan County, NH. Donations to the shelter are always needed, always welcome, and can be mailed to PO Box 111, Claremont NH 03743. SCHS is a no-kill shelter, and provides many services to the public, including regular low-cost spay and neuter clinics, and a pet food bank.

For more information about SCHS, please visit our website at https://sullivancountyhumanesociety.org/, or our Facebook page, Sullivan County Humane Society of NH.