Making the Most of a Visit to the Veterinarian

A visit to the veterinarian is a reality of pet ownership and should be an important part of your experience as a caring pet owner. Whether your pet is coming in for a routine wellness exam, an ongoing health issue, or because you have specific concerns, knowing what steps to take in preparing for your pet’s visit can have a huge impact on the quality of your pet’s visit. It will also help you establish good communication with your veterinarian and the other staff members who will be interacting with your pet.

Prepping for a Visit to the Veterinarian

Fecal & Urine Samples – We can learn a lot about your pet’s health from fecal and urine samples. Collect the freshest fecal sample possible (preferably, right before your visit) and bring it with you in a sealed container labeled with your pet’s name. Remember that fecal samples do not have to be large, as we only use a small amount. Collect fresh urine by holding a clean, low profile container underneath your dog as he or she urinates. Make sure the container is tightly sealed with a lid. Refrigerate the sample if taken more than two hours prior to your pet’s appointment.
Medications – Bring any medications that your pet is on, so our veterinarian can confirm the medications and their dosages.
Medical History – If we haven’t seen your pet before, please bring a copy of your pet’s medical records. Be sure to fill your veterinarian in on all the aspects of your pet’s history, even things that you may be embarrassed or ashamed about. We are not here to judge you, we are here to help your pet, and for that we need all of the information you can possibly provide.
Nutrition Information – Be prepared to discuss your pet’s eating habits, including, the brand and type of food, how much and how often your pet eats, as well as how many and what type of treats your pet is given each day.
Paperwork – If we have asked you for specific paperwork or if you are new to our facility, you will find any needed forms on our website under “Client Resources & Forms”. Printing out your forms and bringing them in already completed will save you time and energy upon check-in with our receptionist.
Your Concerns – Have your questions or concerns written down before you arrive, so you can be as specific as possible when discussing them. If your pet is exhibiting symptoms, write down how often they occur and under what circumstances. The more information we have, the better we can help your pet.

Courtesy Counts

A little bit of courtesy will go a long way in making your visit with us a success:

Be on time for your appointment – Veterinary hospitals are busy places, and Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center is no exception. We work hard to keep things running smoothly and in order to stay on schedule, prefer that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. This allows time for you to check in and complete any last minute details without encroaching on your pet’s time with our veterinarian. Call us if you know you are going to be late and we will work with you to ensure that your pet is seen as soon as possible. Usually, if you’re more than 10 minutes late, we’ll give you the option of waiting for the next available appointment that day or rescheduling to another day.
Let us know about your pet’s temperament – Whether he or she is friendly to all, prone to aggression, or has had issues with snapping or lunging while in a public setting, we need to know so that we can take precautions to keep you, your pet and others safe.
Be engaged and focused while you’re with us – This means putting the phone away and concentrating fully on the task at hand, which is the health and well-being of your furry companion.
Be realistic about your appointment time – We allot 30 minutes for appointments with our veterinarians and we like to be as thorough as possible during that time. Arriving prepared and with time to spare will help to ensure that you and your pet have a great visit with us!

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, or need to make an appointment for your pet. We look forward to seeing you soon!