Catastrophic complications such as complete failure of a surgery.Īnesthesia has its own set of possible complications.Serious complications, including opening up of the incision, infection or severe bleeding.Those are natural consequences of many surgeries. Minor complications, which include swelling, bruising, and oozing.We may not like talking about complications, but we owe it to you and your pet to discuss risks openly. If your doctor claims to have no complications, I’m sorry to say… you should run away! An honest, humble vet or surgeon should be willing to explain the risks, both in theory and from personal experience.
I always ask to talk to my pets when im away from home skin#
As you can imagine, removing a fatty tumor under the skin doesn’t quite involve the same risks as removing a brain tumor. Every single procedure has potential risks. Your vet’s or your surgeon’s job is to discuss each option with you, along with the pros and the cons, so you can make an informed decision.Īnd if your pet has cancer, you need to understand the risks and benefits of surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.Īlways ask your vet about possible risks and complications of a particular surgery. There are many ways to treat this common condition, medically or surgically. Most of the time, there are fairly clear reasons to choose one versus the other, and you need to understand them.Īnother example is a dog with hip dysplasia and arthritis. With a fracture, this could mean repairing the broken bone with a metal plate and some screws. The opposite is called “surgical” treatment. Some treatments are called “medical” or “conservative.” In the case of a fractured bone, this would mean placing a splint or cast.
What are those options? Why aren’t they as good? However, there may be a plan B or C or D. Most of the time, that’s what you should consider doing. Vets, whether generalists or specialists, will tend to recommend the best solution in their mind. It is important that you understand all of your options when it comes to your pet’s treatment. When thereareseveral possibilities, ask your vet to write them down (legibly). That’s OK as long as you understand the possibilities - good or bad. Now, in some cases, we have to be humble and acknowledge that we are simply not sure about the diagnosis. Seriously, who can remember (and spell) “Legg-Perthes disease” (a condition of the hip) or “hepatic microvascular dysplasia” (a liver condition)? If a biopsy has been performed, ask for a copy of the pathologist’s report. It is not always easy to understand or remember, so get it in writing. What is my pet’s specific diagnosis?Īlways ask your family vet or your surgeon for the exact name and spelling of the diagnosis. Here are 10 questions to guide your discussion with your family vet or surgeon. This is critical, and you should make sure you understand your pet’s condition so you can be better informed and prepared. It is always surprising to me that some clients are not sure of their pet’s diagnosis, or what risks are involved. Find him online at He is the co-author of “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” ( Chris Longenecker, a Certified Veterinary Technician in Reading, PA, contributed to this article. Phil Zeltzman is a mobile, board-certified surgeon in Allentown, PA.
0 kommentar(er)
