The Extended Pet Consult: What a Veterinarian Will Do If We Had All the Time in the World

A lot of material has been written about pet care and the human-animal bond. We have been taking care of our pets better and better every year. The author, Dr. Hector Carbonell, wanted to write something that celebrates the unique bond he has with his clients, as they mutually take care of the star of the office visit: the pet. This book is about things that you and your veterinarian might discuss if time was not a factor. He wishes that optimum care can be delivered, and a friendly relationship cultivated in the exam room and beyond, without economics imposing its limits. It tackles concerns such as how to find a hospital that meets your expectations, how to save money on prescriptions, DIY skills, and other common ideas. A chapter called "It is Darkest Before Dawn" also delves deep into questions you might have but were afraid to ask; such as cranky employees, animal abuse, internet pharmacies, high prices, hospital staff drug problems, compassion fatigue, and others. You owe it to your pet to protect his health and welfare. All proceeds from this book will benefit humane societies, animal shelters, and other charitable causes.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction
• The Extended Office Visit
• The Storyteller
• Disclaimer

Part One: THE DOCTOR IS IN
Welcome to the consultation that has no time limit.

1. Choosing a Veterinarian
• The hospital tour
• What is important to you?

2. Your Pet and You
• Choosing a pet
• Dog and cat breeds
• The normal pet
• Age comparison to humans

3. At the Vet’s: The Office Visit

4. Client Communications

Part Two: PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
The more a client is involved in their pet’s health care, the better. If you are ready to learn more about anything from the simplest to the most complex ideas and procedures, then read this chapter and work with your veterinary staff. Get down on the ground or lift your pets on top of the table and get totally “hands-on.”

5. DIY: Do It Yourself
• How To Do A Physical Examination On Your Pet At Home
• Rinse Well and Repeat
• Brushing and Bathing Basics
• Home Made Remedies

6. Services and Products
• Areas of the hospital
• Dentistry - Wellness - Vaccinations
• Boarding and Grooming
• The Emergency Clinic
• Specialists
• Pet food
• Pharmaceuticals / prescriptions
• OTC

7. Nutrition
• Food Facts
• The Obesity Epidemic and the 50% Threshold
• Commercial Pet Food

Part Three: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Got questions that you were always afraid to ask? It is time to remove the veil of secrecy and get shed light into some intriguing issues. We need to try to solve some vexing problems for everyone’s benefit before they get even worse.

8. Economics: Dog Dollars and Cat Cents
• Insurance and payment systems
• Veterinary student debt
• Veterinary business
• Retail

9. It Is Darkest Before Dawn
• Animal abuse or just plain neglect
• Hoarding
• Benign neglect and hospice
• Quacks and charlatans

10. Legalese
• Malpractice
• Miscommunication
• Reporting abuse
• Love thy neighbor

11. Pharmacy: The Current Controversy
• Online and retails pharmacies
• Time for a major overhaul

Part Four: TRANSCENDENCE
Taking care of pets goes beyond healthcare. We were able to make a difference in the community just by carrying on with our daily business. Our staff and clients make this world safer for pets and their people. Even human lives were saved.

12. The Sunset Paradigm
• Hospice
• Euthanasia
• Accidents

13. The Lighter Side
• High Tech Future for our Pets
• Stewardship and the Ripple Effect
• Why I keep coming back to work
• Memorable pets, clients, and friends
• So, you want to be a vet?


Acknowledgements

Glossary