F.A.Q.
What is a Veterinarian?
A veterinarian is a doctor of animal health who has trained at a university for at least six years to earn a doctoral degree (the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree) and is licensed to provide medical and surgical care for animals.
Veterinarians are educated to protect the health of both animals and humans. Not only do they address the health needs of a wide variety of animal species, but they also play a critical role in environmental protection, food safety, animal welfare and public health.
In order to maintain a license to practice veterinary medicine, veterinarians are required to expand and improve their professional activities on a regular basis through continuing education.
What is an Animal Health Technologist?
An Animal Health Technologist/Technician is a person who is professionally trained in a college program for two or three years to earn an Animal Health Technologist (AHT/RVT) diploma.
AHT/RVT are vital members of the veterinary healthcare team who work in a variety of areas within the field of veterinary medicine. These animal health professionals must satisfy continuing education requirements throughout their careers in order to maintain their certification.
What is “Fear Free®” and how is it different?
A veterinary team member who is Fear Free Certified® wants your pet to be happy when they come through the door of the clinic.
Fear Free doesn’t mean that your pet will never experience anything uncomfortable at the veterinarian— they may be injured or ill, after all—but it does mean that we make every effort to reduce any fear, anxiety, and stress related to examinations and procedures.
What is a Bond – Centered Veterinary Practice?
Bond - Centered practices build lifelong relationships with families and their animals.
When a family gets a new pet, for example, a bond-centred veterinarian takes the opportunity to discuss the pet’s life cycle with the family.
The veterinarian might discuss building a positive relationship with the pet and explain how to minimize stressful, expensive behaviour problems, such as destructive chewing.
Veterinarians who practice in this way care for not only the medical needs and welfare of the animal but also the social health of its family.
Does a standard protocol for the Physical Examination exist?
Veterinarians are trained to carry out a standard appointment for the annual examination of pets. The emphasis of the physical examination may vary somewhat if the animal Is experiencing ongoing medical problems, but the scope of the examination is standard.
In addition, history taking is done by the technician or veterinarian to report on how the pet has been doing at home since the last assessment.
The physical examination covers the following:
- General Aspects
- Weight and body condition
- TPR (temperature, pulse, respiration) – Temperature may not be taken in all patients
- Attitude
- Gait (way of moving)
- Brightness of eyes
- Activity level, reflexes
- Haircoat, nails, skin and anal glands – including external parasite check
- hydration
- Ears and eyes- including ophthalmoscope exam of eyes, scope visualization of ear canals
System Aspects
- Circulatory system – pulse, gum color, stethoscope check of heart sounds
- Respiratory system – breathing sounds via stethoscope exam, respiratory pattern, discharges
- Digestive system – from the oral cavity to the exit point, including dental, guts and rectum
- Urinary and reproductive system – check exit points for the systems, palpate the uterus area (if present), testes (if present), bladder, kidneys, and the prostate gland of mature male dogs
- Bones, joints, muscles – check joint mobility/position, swelling, pain, and muscle loss
- Glands – check lymph nodes, thyroid lobes, spleen.
You may request a summary of the examination findings for your home medical records, and if you have any questions about any part of the examination, the time at the end of the appointment is ideal for this process. Otherwise, if you find yourself left with questions when you get home, contact your veterinary practice. Your veterinarian or a licensed technician should be able to address those hanging questions.
Understanding the Cost of Veterinary Health Care
How are fees determined?
Fees for veterinary healthcare are a reflection of many factors including the complexity of the case and treatment options, the operational cost of maintaining hospital-like facilities with high-tech medical equipment and support personnel to provide the elevated level of service and care that pet owners expect and deserve.
Why do the fees appear to be high?
Veterinarians are using the same technology that is being used in human healthcare because pet owners are demanding sophisticated service and care for their pets. Pet owners have access to emergency healthcare services, veterinary specialists, diagnostic imaging, x-ray, MRI, laboratory services, surgery, pain management and boarding services.
The cost of providing these same services in human healthcare may not be as obvious, as they are covered by our universal healthcare program where the patient simply provides a plastic health card to pay for medical services.
You have options
Your veterinarian can work with you to ensure your pet stays healthy, while also making it easier for you to afford your pet’s healthcare services. Talk with your veterinarian to find out what payment options are available for you.
See: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/understanding-the-cost-of-veterinary-healthcare
Does my Pet really need to be Vaccinated?
Routine vaccinations are recommended for all cats and dogs, including even those that rarely go out of the home, or are indoors-only.
There are online sources for vaccine information but these should not be relied upon. Your veterinarian knows YOUR pet, and vaccination decisions are individual. Modern vaccines are carefully formulated to reduce the chance of side effects.
There are a number of good reasons to vaccinate:
An outdoor cat that receives vaccines develops antibody protection against serious or lethal infections. This is important since outdoor cats will contact other cats or contaminated surfaces.
The level of protection your cat has against the most serious diseases will gradually decline if the vaccines are not given regularly. As a result, your cat will be unprotected should he or she encounter serious infectious diseases.Few indoor cats really stay indoors 100 per cent of the time. Some cats may escape outdoors or be locked out accidentally.
Still others may go visiting when their owners do, or they may be introduced to new animals when visitors to their homes bring their pets with them.Dogs that attend dog parks, boarding facilities or shows, and service dogs will need to be fully protected due to the increased contact with other animals.
Parvovirus is exceptionally resistant to breakdown on surfaces, both indoors or outdoors. Vaccination against this deadly disease is essential since the virus is everywhere. (Even in PEI). It is a very painful, and deadly, vomiting and diarrhea disease in unvaccinated dogs.
Reduced vaccination rates have recently exposed pets to diseases that have been uncommon for many years, but are now re-emerging. Distemper is an example. (Was seen in Nova Scotia in recent years).
If your pet has not received its vaccines, a visit to a veterinary clinic could prove some risk. Should your pet ever require hospitalization, there would be an added risk if he or she was unvaccinated, as they could be inadvertently exposed to an infected animal.
Certain infections can be passed from mother to baby, causing death in young patients, which is devastating. Feline leukemia is an example. Leukemia testing and vaccination can help to stop this type of disease transmission, saving many young cats’ lives.
Some infections never really clear up and animals can have symptoms and need treatment to relieve suffering, for the rest of their lives. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is an example.
Lyme disease is carried into the host by tick bites. Though only 5% of dogs develop signs leading to a diagnosis of the disease, in people it is hard to diagnose and the incidence of active infection is higher-so more serious overall in people. Vaccination of dogs prevents most of them from being infected, thus avoiding an enlarging dog-based reservoir of infection for local environmental/tick spread. (There have been increasing numbers of positive ticks noted in PEI and the rest of Atlantic Canada)
Leptospirosis is another disease that can affect people. It is also difficult to diagnose. It is best to keep those dogs exposed to potentially contaminated water protected. (This disease is prevalent in the Atlantic Region)
In some areas of Canada, rabies vaccination of pets is mandatory. Rabies has essentially, a 100% death rate so vaccines are very important to reduce risk to all. Wildlife continues to be a reservoir for the virus so the threat will always exist. Some pet grooming facilities will require your pet to be vaccinated for rabies.
Without an annual wellness check-up, minor medical problems could turn into serious illnesses.
To determine which vaccines your pet should receive, talk to your veterinarian.
Some vaccines may not be given annually, but the “check-up” examination should be provided to the pet regardless of whether vaccines are due or not.
Routine vaccinations are recommended because of the increased level of protection they provide to pets, but note they are not 100% protective in all cases; efficacy varies by product.
Why can’t I just get my pet medication refilled? Why do I need to book an appointment?
A prescription is a direction issued by a registered veterinarian that an animal be treated with a specified drug at a specified dose for a specified period of time for treatment of a specified condition.
Medications are classified by Health Canada, whether they are prescription or over the counter medications. This is not decided by your Veterinarian.
In order to issue a prescription, a veterinarian must, by law, document that a valid veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) exists.
What is a VCPR?
“VETERINARIAN/CLIENT/PATIENT/RELATIONSHIP”
25.1.7.1 An appropriate veterinarian/client/patient/relationship exists when:
(a) the veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or caretaker) has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian; and when
(b) there is sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) by the veterinarian to initiate a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s) by virtue of examination of the animal(s) and/or by medically appropriate and timely visit(s) to the premises within the previous 12-month period; and when
(c) the practising veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.
25.1.7.2 Prior to the dispensing of prescription drugs a veterinarian/client/ patient relationship must be recognized, (as defined through points 25.1.7.1.(a)-(c).”
The increased incidence of Drug-Resistant Infections has led to further regulations of the prescription of antibiotics by the Federal Government.
“Antimicrobial resistance and animals”
Antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, are used to slow the growth of or kill bacteria that cause infections and illnesses in humans and animals. Antimicrobial resistance can happen naturally, but the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in people, animals and plants is escalating the problem.
In animals, antimicrobial use can contribute to the development and spread of resistant bacteria that can be transferred to humans through the food we eat (animal products) and through direct contact.
When antimicrobial resistance develops, the antibiotics normally used may not work as well, or fail completely. This can make antimicrobials less effective at treating bacterial diseases in humans and animals.
Antimicrobial resistance threatens the continuous availability of effective antimicrobials to combat bacterial infections in human and veterinary medicine.
Taking action to improve oversight and responsible use.
Antimicrobial resistance is a complex problem that requires coordinated action among stakeholders. A One Health approach acknowledges the interconnection between the health of humans, animals and their shared environment, and the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to improve health for all.
We have made significant progress in building an evidence-based approach to assessing the antimicrobial resistance risk from antimicrobials licensed for use in animals. Our ongoing actions include:
implementing microbiological safety requirements for assessment of new veterinary antimicrobial drug submissions for use in food-producing animals
categorizing antimicrobials into 4 categories based on their importance in human medicine to help prioritize risk management options
AMR specific warnings on certain medically important antimicrobials (MIAs) belonging to the Categories I, II, and III
supporting the microbiological safety evaluation of veterinary antimicrobial drugs by using CIPARS data
encouraging prudent use of antimicrobials in animals in collaboration with:
- provincial and territorial authorities
- international counterparts
- veterinarians
- industry
- food animal producers
- associations
- other animal health stakeholders
- other federal departments and agencies”
Why Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance helps ensure decisions are not made out of a necessity to put cost considerations first. It allows veterinary staff and pet parents to focus on the health of the animal in question.
There are two ways to effectively prepare for potential unforeseen pet care costs:
a) A “rainy day savings account” or self-insurance: Each month of the pet’s life, you diligently place the cost of a monthly health insurance payment into a separate savings account (or accessible safe investment) that can only be used for pet care, hoping no emergency strikes before your cash has built up. This plan works well if you are able and willing to save, and make this a part of your monthly budget.
b) Engage a pet insurance company to provide a safety net of coverage. The cost varies widely, so it is important to do your homework before signing up. Features differ between companies.
Most pets in Canada are still not insured, with current estimates of coverage at about two to three percent of pets.
Is it worth the monthly expense?
Balance your own value decision based on how well you or your family might be able to cope with an unexpected expense.
Monthly premium costs range from $20 to $100+ dollars depending on many factors.
Starting pet insurance later is more costly than starting with a young, healthy puppy or kitten, so early start plans are often less costly (though payments last more years).
For most insurers, a range of products with different price points are offered. Choosing fewer “bells and whistles” can help keep costs down for one of those plans; you can enhance coverage as per your own needs.
Read the fine print closely and ensure you ask any questions ahead of signing as per any contract.
See: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/why-a-pet-insurance-health-plan-may-be-right-for-you
How do I know when it is time to Euthanize my pet?
When trying to decide on whether or not to euthanize your pet, you need to ask some important questions:
Is your pet free from pain, distress, or serious discomfort which cannot be effectively controlled?
Is your pet able to walk and balance reasonably well?
Can it eat and drink enough for normal maintenance without difficulty and without vomiting and/or diarrhea?
Is it free from inoperable tumours that cause pain or serious discomfort?
Is your pet able to breathe without difficulty?
Can it urinate and defecate reasonably without serious difficulty or incontinence?
Can you as an owner cope physically and emotionally with any nursing care which may be required?
If the answer to any of the preceding questions is negative, and treatment is likely to be unrewarding, you might want to consider euthanasia.
Some other questions that must be given serious consideration are:
What is my pet’s quality of life?
Is my pet’s sense of dignity still intact, or is there a loss of dignity?
In the final analysis, euthanasia is performed to save the pet from unnecessary pain, as well as from the indignity and distress of a prolonged terminal illness.
A pet’s life should not be prolonged simply because an owner cannot bear to part with their pet.
When confronted with the decision of whether or not to euthanize your pet, your veterinarian is best qualified to help you with this most important of decisions.