Correcting you: What do you expect from your vet?

I think both are good and both are called for in different situations. Somethings I think can be let go with your examples, they're pretty harmless mis wordings, so I wouldn't really nit pick at those. But for things more serious, it wouldn't hurt to correct, lightly.

Its kind of a tough question, it probably also depends on the client, how willing one is to have a quick educational chat or not. The ones who openly ask questions constantly are probably more willing to learn and wouldn't mind being corrected, where as those that come in and tell your flat out whats wrong with their animal, probably wouldn't be to open to it and thats where the translating what the client says.

To me, a breeder of over 20 years and a trainer, the differentiation between a veterinarian who makes corrections (and takes the time to explain) and the veterinarian who allows "lay man's terminology" is simple - I use the veterinarian who makes corrections and explains.

Specifically speaking, I have all too often spoken with a veterinarian who allows technical errors and inevitably, they handle matters as a "practicing veterinarian". The veterinarians I speak with who make the corrections and take the time to educate are DVM's. There seems to be a working theory among many vets that they are "practicing" and the reality is that IF I wanted to use a veterinarian who practices, I would take my animals to a veterinary college. I choose to use a DVM because he has already obtained his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and as such, I expect him to handle things in a professional manner. I would never hire any professional who could not and/or would not explain where information is skewed because of a technicality.

Prime example, when a puppy becomes ill the first thing the vet needs to know are the symptoms (ie: runny nose, cough, diarrhea, bloody stools, etc), however they also need to know the temperature of the pup, how the pup is "acting". A veterinarian who has educated his clientele, willingly takes "after hours" emergency calls from his clients because he knows they will call him when there are signs of lethargy, symptoms of illness AND an elevated temperature - making it "worth" his time to take the telephone call @ 2am vs. the practicing veterinarian who refers everyone to an emergency clinic after hours so his patients can spend $150.00 to walk in the door, receive mediocre care and terrible customer service, only to have the pup go to the "regular veterinarian" the next morning.

Having a veterinarian who takes the time to educate AND builds his rapport with his clients makes those of us who spend over $500.00 a month (every month) at the veterinarian's office loyal clients who will refer quality clients his way vs. simply saying, "Oh, ya... there is a vet office on **** Street, they have a really nice vet".

Nice only goes so far when dealing with animals - and lack of education is one of the major concerns to every one of my puppy parents AND training clients. When either ask me for a recommendation, they can rest assured that the vet we recommend does not "practice", he is a DVM and he is willing to do what is necessary to doctor the animal.

Additionally, the Veterinarian who educates his clientele empowers his clients to become actively involved in the dogs well being, which gives him the "early signs" of problems - it is well known that although emergency care in animals is costly, it is not the money maker. Preventative medicine is the way the veterinarians make money, and the owner of the dog IS the daily eyes and ears for the veterinarian - when the eyes are trained to see and the ears are trained to hear, the client will quickly alert a vet, often alleviating an emergency visit.

First: Congratulations on being in vet school. I have heard it is often harder to get in vet school than med school.

I think a good vet can tell the difference between someone who can handle the technicalities and someone who cannot. My vet is very good and is always very thorough with me. We have a trust and respect relationship between us. There are times when I need a quick answer and he will give me that, but he also will take the time to make an appointment so we can sit down and talk. And if my dog or cat is sick, he listens to what I say and we exchange ideas. he beliefs that I know my animals best and we have managed to have happy pets as a result. But I also know there are people who cannot understand the facts or do not want to hear the facts. I think a good vet can spot the type and react accordingly. And a really good vet is going to have the pet's care uppermost in his mind, while still considering the feelings of the human counterpart. I also believe a good vet will be patient most times. However, I have also seen days where I knew something had upset my vet (who I thoroughly believe is a gift from God for our animal friends) and I know that he has witnessed a case of total ignorance and is fighting with himself for a way to deal with it. I think I respect him so much because he is human and does not mind showing it, but will also take the time to share his knowledge, get answers from the pet's person, and as a result, show that he is, after all, human.

As for examples of the technicalities: I think my favorite, and this one is on the part of the human patient... Male dog spayed or female dog neutered. (do we grin and bear that or educate?) Or..."My dog had a hysterectomy" rather than... "I had her spayed." And while there are no words to describe the next: and I have seen my vet try and try to get the point across on this one: "Heart worms" Whereas the patient promptly insists that ""But I wormed him." For a good example of this thought process on this board, follow the following link and read the last response. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak6a0...

So rather than terminology, I think it is ignorance and not wanting to learn that bothers me most and I admire a vet who has to decipher what a person can handle and react so that the dog gets the care needed... or cat. One example I almost forgot: Side effects vs allergies (HUGE DIFFERENCE) I am a nurse by the way so I see this same thing a lot. And while this has little to do with technicalities, I think one of my favorite things is when someone calls the ER on a Saturday night at 12 midnight, full moon and says... "Are you busy right now? Would it be a good time to come in? If You're busy, can you tell me what's wrong with my foot and what I should do about it?" or "Can you give me a call when you slow down there cause my little girl needs stitches and I don't want to have to sit there and wait." (We have actually received calls like this.) So, I admire and respect a vet who really has it tough not only dealing with technicalities, but dealing with technicalities in another species.

Good question by the way.

I have a wonderful holistic vet & she takes a lot of extra time with each client. I really appreciate that, when it is my turn and she even gives me articles to read on the condition (if my dog is unwell).

I have a degree in Animal Science and am better read, than most other dog people she sees. In fact, most of my saved computer links are articles on dog training & health. (I have reached the maximum allowed on my computer @ 2500.) I also am on a number of dog discussion boards & the info I keep handy, is frequently needed. I would be a person who would prefer to use the correct terminology.

One of the reasons NOT to do it, with each client (besides coming across as condescending) is the extra TIME it takes. I think you should save the "finer" or technical points for more important conversations, such as on cancer, or in a case where the person is more knowledgeable; a vet student, or has done a lot of reading & research (or is about to, due to a diagnosis).

For instance, I can see where gently giving the correct term would also help them do more online reading/research and I might mention it that way. The difference in vomiting vs regurgitation is actually vitally important IMO (as to diagnosis) so that's worth explaining, esp if the dog may actually have, or be developing mega-esophagus.

I think the examples you have listed here are really just technicalities and I personally would not want or expect a vet to correct me or my friends on any of them.

The biggest reason I feel this way is because a friend of mine's dog was hit by a car a few years back. When I got to the clinic, she was obviously upset so I went to talk to the vet with her. He came in, gave her loads of information she didn't really understand, and expected her to make a decision. I kicked him out, explained everything completely to her, and helped her think things through. Later she thanked me for being there because she was so terrified she couldn't even come up with the right questions to ask the vet much less understand what he was trying to tell her in 'doctor speak'. She felt extremely intimidated by him.

I experienced another case myself where I was extremely sick and had called my doctors office to speak with a nurse. She felt the need to get into a lengthy explanation of the proper terms for diarrhea to correct me. I promise you, if I could have reached through the phone and choked her, I probably would have. The fact is, I don't always care what the proper term for things are - I am not a doctor, it is not my job to use the correct terminology (like they need to do in the chart, etc).

I think it is extremely important for vets to learn to speak both languages. It does absolutely no good to make clients feel stupid or inferior when they are often there asking for help. I think this is often the case for the AVERAGE pet owner - when vets or techs correct them on minor things like those you listed, it often results in nothing but the client feeling talked down to.

The people who are interested in learning the 'proper' terms for these things will learn them on their own - the vet doesn't need to be the one to do that unless the client asks.

I think it depends on the situation...if the client is in with their pet for a minor problem or routine check up I think its not as big of a deal if there are minor discrepancies in their terminology. If you feel, however, that clarifying the terms is going to give them a greater advantage of caring for their pet well then by all means...fill them in.

With serious illnesses I think vets need to be a thorough as possible. Sometimes really understanding the physiology behind what your pet is going through helps a lot.

It depends on the severity of the situation. If it was cancer, a detailed explanation would be nice, but if it's no big deal, just go with it.

I had to rush my friend to the vet one night because her rabbit was having trouble walking and she stopped eating. The vet basically explained to us that the rabbit had E. cuniculi. She brought us an article explaining the parasite to help us understand. For us, the symptoms were extremely sudden (i'm talking within 2 hours her rabbit couldn't walk) so having the in depth explanation was helpful in dealing with the situation.

When your talking to the pet owners you will be able to tell. Some people don't care what you're saying, and some don't have enough intelligence to understand, some are just set in their ways and won't listen, and some will feel your word is the next book in the gospel. You just have to make that decision on a case by case basis when the time comes.

I think that the general public doesn't care, especially on things like terminology like necropsy vs autopsy. Signs vs symptoms too. If the owners seem involved, then offer to explain to them. You should have good enough people skills to be able to gauge that.

BUT, my little vet student, I beg of you to please not get full of yourself. I will try to find where on youtube I stuck this video, but my shih tzu has something wrong with his leg. Now, I am a pretty informed person, and I did a TON of research on what possibly could be wrong. I concluded that it was either nerve damage or a neurological disorder. So I went to the vet, armed with video footage of the problem, and a whole slew of things to ask him. Of course, the REAL vet was at a conference, so I got his recently-graduated-from-vet-school son. Who, I might add, was an idiot, and for some reason he really enjoyed talking down to me. I was grinding my teeth by the end of my visit.

To make a painfully long story short, the guy wraps the leg in a worthless soft cast, which gets a crease in the fabric and actually starts exacerbating the issue. So I go home and tape tongue depressors to the sides of the cast to make it stiff and actually supportive.

AND we still never got a diagnosis. X rays were clear.

Add: found the video, you are welcome to diagnose away. Right rear leg, absolutely no signs of pain. Warning, it is gross:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg1x8i3O5MY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0o4QxkOnu8

ADD: BethJ, is that a standard in your avatar?

I love a vet who can show me that s/he knows what s/he is talking about by correcting what I have to say.

However, I met a vet earlier this year that took things a little too far. Rather than taking my opinion into account (and though I do not have years of experience, I do have some experience), he completely disregarded what I had to say, judging me by my age. He assured me that the puppies I was fostering "had nothing wrong with them". Four weeks and five thousand dollars later, they were finally over their pneumonia.