Communicating with Your Veterinarian

by Mark R. Baus, DVM

Some horses have few medical problems, but those are certainly not the majority. To make matters worse, the more you expect from your horse, the more likely that he is going to have a problem. And it’s often a complex problem. Fortunately, our community is blessed with many excellent veterinarians.

not as vital for the small animal veterinarian. This relationship with the equine veterinarian takes time to develop and involves mutual trust between the vet and the horse owner.

Historically, equine veterinarians were known for a life centered only on working on horses. In today’s culture, it’s

Chances are good that you already use one of these talented veterinarians to help you with your horse’s health issues. I want to offer some advice to make sure that the relationship with your veterinarian remains as healthy as your horse!

One of the many differences between an equine veterinarian and a small animal veterinarian is that the horse owner and their veterinarian will often develop a relationship that is deeper and more personal than the relationship between a small animal veterinarian and a small animal owner. The equine veterinarian needs to understand the unique characteristics of the horse and the owner’s relationship with the horse in a way that is widely recognized that developing healthy habits, including exercise, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing hobbies and passions, leads to longer and more fulfilling lives. This, in turn, creates happier and more dedicated veterinarians. Still, it is well known that equine veterinarians already work more hours than other veterinarians and in many cases, more than other professionals.

Despite this, your veterinarian does want to hear from you and cares deeply about you and your horse. The first thing to learn from your veterinarian is how they prefer to communicate with you. There are many choices here. Do they want you to call the practice’s main num- ber and leave a message? Do they want you to send a text message? How about the other texting options like Facebook Messenger, What’s App, and email? Notice I did not mention calling them directly on their mobile phone.

And when do they want to hear from you? After your horse has been limping for a week? After your horse has stopped eating for a few days? Probably not! Even if you don’t think your vet needs to make a visit, it’s essential to let them know that an appointment might be necessary and discuss what you should be doing in the meanwhile. Your veterinarian’s schedule is likely jam-packed, so an early heads-up helps them plan accordingly.

Photographs and videos can be beneficial in making decisions regarding scheduling an appointment or tracking response to therapy. How you send this content to your veterinarian will determine how clear your photo or video clip is. Some veterinarians use telemedicine apps to handle this content, but your veterinarian can tell you the best way to send that important photograph or video.

Let’s talk about after-hours emergencies. It’s well known that this is the single most crucial issue facing the retention of young equine veterinarians. Every other profession has figured out how to deal with emergencies, but equine veterinarians are still expected to work 50 to 60 hours a week while on call for emergencies.

If you are the least bit concerned about how your horse is doing and you are worried that he might not be okay in the morning, call your primary care veterinarian. All equine veterinarians appreciate the ability to decide if early intervention is necessary or if a monitoring plan can be put in place. Do not sit on a problem and elect to call prior to going to bed; this will likely ensure a more negative outcome for your horse and a stressed veterinarian. You need to call at the first sign that your horse might have a serious problem.

Here is another thing to consider when you place that after-hours emergency call: If your veterinarian tells you that your horse will be okay until the morning, believe them. I would challenge any equine veterinarian to go on more hand-holding emergencies than I have, but it’s essential to understand how disruptive these after-hours visits genuinely are to your veterinarian.

In summary, do not hesitate to talk to your veterinarian anytime, day or night, when you are truly worried about your horse. Follow your veterinarian’s directions carefully and see how your horse is in the morning. If he takes a turn for the worse, call your veterinarian back.

During your relationship with your veterinarian, chances are good that your horse will present with a problem that your vet cannot figure out. I have many of these cases, and I do not hesitate to recommend a second opinion when necessary. If you’re in a position where you think your vet needs help with a case, do not hesitate to ask for a second opinion.

It’s perfectly fine to ask for a specific doctor for a second opinion, but I suggest asking your vet for their recommendation. As difficult as this may be, it’s better to ask your vet for a second opinion versus finding another veterinarian without their knowledge.

Let’s go over these suggestions in summary:

• Ask your veterinarian the best way to communicate with them.

• How should you send photographs and videos?

• Contact your veterinarian at the first sign of a serious problem.

• Contact your vet after hours if you are worried about your horse’s health, but do not insist that they make a visit to ease your mind.

• If you are unsure about how your vet is handling a case, ask for a second opinion. You will be surprised at how well your veterinarian will respond to these suggestions. They will likely try even harder to keep your horse in top form.

Mark R. Baus, DVM founded Grand Prix Equine in 2009. He’s provided care to horses in the same region and for many of the same clients for more than 30 years. Mark began the Connecticut Equine Podiatry Group to foster relationships between farriers and veterinarians.