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  Discussion on Vetiquette
Author Message
Member:
anya

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 7:03 am:

Hello,
I have a question about the right vet-etiquette when it comes to sedating your horse.
My horse had to have her teeth floated yesterday, so when the vet gave her an injection, I naturally thought this was already the sedation. After 5 min, my horse was still not showing signs of sleepiness, so I asked the vet "What did you give her? I don't think it's working" and he said "Ace, this is just to relax her, I will sedate her in a little bit".
I was very upset, he had not asked me about it, and I try to limit the amount of medicine my horse gets to only what is necessary. I feel the ace was unnecessary and at the very least, he should have asked me if it's ok for him to give her that. How should I handle this without alienating him as my vet?
Member:
imogen

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 11:34 am:

Possibly the vet was seeing if they could get away with using a less expensive/risky drug (ACE) and only using further sedation if required?

Imogen
Member:
canter

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 11:57 am:

Hi Anya,

Perhaps the easiest way to avoid a "confrontation" is to simply request that the vet discusses all meds with you so that "you can learn as much as possible" and be a more "knowledgable horse owner" (I don't mean to imply that you are not knowledgeable, just want to make sure that comes across in my post!) Rather than demanding that the vet do nothing without your consent (which, I believe, IS your right, as the owner and person paying the bills), softening the request should not result in alienating the vet.

That said, is the vet a bit thin skinned? To have a good working relationship, you should be able to discuss all of your concerns openly and honestly. If you can't, it may be time to find another vet.
Member:
anya

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 12:49 pm:

Hi, thanks for your replies!

Imogen - No, it was clear that that was not why he used it. That's what angered me about it. I still don't understand why he used it.

Fran C - Thanks! I think it's not the vet that is thin skinned, but me. I always seem to have trouble confronting people in a "normal" manner - I am either way too friendly or rude. When I see him next, I will tell him that I was perturbed that he used a medication without asking me whether it was fine, and ask him to not do that in the future.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 3:43 pm:

It's been my experience that Fran's method works. Also, it's good to know what the common meds are for and how they work incase your vet isn't around and you have to administer drugs, or even if a vet unfamiliar with your animals has to doctor them. If you aren't familiar them already, I think all the more common drugs, doses, possible interactions and side effects, etc. are listed here on HA.

Your vet may be in the habit of just doing what he feels needs to be done because most owners don't ask many questions, just stand there while the vet does whatever he feels he should do. The vets I know are happy to discuss things with you and appreciate the fact you care enough to learn.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 3:55 pm:

When needles come out I always ask my vet what he is giving, how much, and why? I like to know for future reference. That's how I know Sam takes a double dose of tranq, Hank half a dose, and the mare..normal dose.

If you tell him you keep it for your records he won't be offended I wouldn't think
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 4:56 pm:

It is a bit of a confusing post Anya and first I want to address a point other than your question. Acepromazine is a sedative and the only reason to give it. Whether you want to use the term relaxation or sedation, they are synonymous here. It's prior use to the next stage of sedation will decrease the amount of the second sedative and often such combinations are safer and can achieve a certain "status of sedation" that cannot be done with one alone.

But to get back to your question, I do believe it is the veterinarian's obligation to explain exactly what he is doing prior to doing it and here there appears to be a failure of the veterinarians part. I think the prior posts give effective ways to avoid such confusion in the future.
DrO
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - 5:21 pm:

I agree with Sara; vets are many times just used to doing what they feel is needed, not even thinking that an owner may be interested in the details. Or they are just really busy people who forget to mention what shot they just gave.

What I find helpful is I ask questions and write down the answers when I call the vet so that I have a general idea of what is going to take place, meds used, and cost. My main vet don't have an office, so I always talk directly to her. A 2nd vet I use does have an office,(70 miles away!) and in most cases they have a general idea what their vets do for general farm calls anyhow.

I make sure we discuss it again when the vet arrives and s/he starts doing whatever, and before I write out the check, I clarify everything for my notes, especially if a horse is going to be getting meds for a period of time, and any follow up care.

I think the vets appreciate the questions and I would think they'd rather leave and put that visit behind them rather than being bothered with 2 - 3 more phone calls because the client didn't ask questions/write things down.

BTW, my local vet is thin skinned, and I just plain don't call her for certain things. She's been in business the 21 years we've lived here, and still doesn't own any diagnostic equipment. (X-ray, ultrasound, etc)

BUT, I can count on her to show up on weekends or holidays if an emergency arises, and there is a lot she can do in those situations.

It pays to never alienate any vet!
Member:
anya

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 - 4:51 am:

Thanks so much everybody for helping! I will get all my horse's medical records so I know how much sedation and what exactly she was given and when. As Fran said,I will just ask him politely to explain everything he is doing. I feel I ask so many questions already, but, that's the only way to learn.

Thank you Dr O! I did not know that. I will ask him if that's why he did it.
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