10 questions veterinarians wish you’d ask

We know going to your pet’s veterinary hospital can sometimes be stressful for you, especially about what questions to ask your veterinarian. We love being asked questions, and we want owners to feel seen and heard regarding their pet’s health.

Below are 10 questions we encourage owners to ask us.  

1. What will happen if I don’t do the recommended tests? This is a great question! While it’s not mandatory for you to schedule the tests your veterinarian recommends, there’s a reason why they suggest them — to stay on top of your pet’s health! At Banfield, we believe in preventive care, which is how we track your pet’s health over their lifetime. Recommended tests might be fecal testing for parasites, urinalysis to check kidney health, or a complete blood count to look for things like an infection or anemia. In other words, recommended tests are a good idea, especially if there are concerns about your pet’s health.  
2. What will happen if I don’t give all the medication prescribed? We strongly encourage all pet owners to follow medication directions. This is for your pet's safety and the best chance for the medication to be effective.
3. What do you specifically look for during an exam and why? We love this question! During a comprehensive exam at Banfield, we check coat and skin; eyes and ears; mouth and nose; cardiovascular system (heart and lungs); palpate the abdomen; perform an overall review of the muscle, bones and joints; and perform a urogenital/rectal exam. All of this helps us screen for disease and track conditions over your pet’s lifetime.
4. What do I need to do to prepare for my next visit? We will usually give you instructions on what to do before your pet’s next appointment, especially if your pet is going under anesthesia for surgery or a dental cleaning. We have a helpful page on what to know before you go to your pet’s appointment here.  
5. How will I know if my pet is not getting better? If your pet has ongoing health issues, or a recent ailment or surgery, your veterinarian will go over what to look out for once your pet goes home from their visit. This is also why regular preventive care is important — to help you, the owner, and us, the medical team, stay on top of your pet’s health as they age.  
6. Is this normal? If you have any concerns about your pet — a weird bump, random vomiting, chronic lethargy, you name it! — we encourage you to always ask your veterinarian about it. No question is too silly.  
7. Why is that so expensive? We believe in transparency at Banfield, which is why we offer a price estimator on our website to help you see what the costs of care will be for your pet. In addition, our Optimum Wellness Plans® can help pet owners save up to 30% on preventive petcare. Learn more about all the awesome services our Optimum Wellness Plans include, like vaccinations, comprehensive exams, 24/7 Pet Chat™, and so much more.  
8. What should I expect next? After your pet’s appointment, your veterinary team will go over next steps, including what to look out for in case your pet doesn’t heal or isn’t feeling better, how to administer medication, or when to schedule their next appointment.  
9. Who should I call if I have questions about little things? Feel free to call your veterinary team during regular business hours. If you are an Optimum Wellness Plan member, you have access to Virtual Visits and 24/7 Pet Chat™, which are both great virtual options to ask a veterinary professional about “the little things.” 
10. Should I come back and ask to see you or does it matter if I see a different veterinarian? The great news is your pet’s medical records are available to all veterinarians at your pet’s hospital, meaning you don’t need to see the same veterinarian. Of course, we always love to see our clients, so if you feel strongly about seeing the same veterinarian, call the front desk and ask if your pet can be scheduled on a day when your favorite veterinarian is working.