• Hero Banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Buying or Selling a Practice
Hospital Design
Leadership & Personal Growth
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Technology
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Live Conferences
Conference News
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Discussing diagnostics: Your veterinary super power

September 1, 2014
Marty Becker, DVM

Many clients come into the veterinary appointment expecting the veterinarian to be a mystical seer-divining a diagnosis, prognosis and reasonable, successful treatment plan in one office visit. They've heard the slogan, “15 minutes can save you 15 percent or more on car insurance” too many times and now expect the same from veterinary medicine. Too few clients realize how hard it can be to make an accurate diagnosis and come up with the best treatment plan for an animal that can't tell you what's wrong. To find or confirm a diagnosis we often need additional tests.

Over the years I've developed a few phrases to explain the need for tests to clients. They may sound rehearsed, but they're absolutely true and they really seem to help pet owners see the need for diagnostics. Here are some of my go-to phrases:

> “Even the most talented veterinarian at one of the top veterinary schools or practices in the country can miss a diagnosis without these additional tests.”

> “Getting an accurate diagnosis and coming up with the right treatment plan can be like putting together all the pieces of a very complicated puzzle. I have some of the pieces but I need a few more to try to solve this.”

> “With my physical exam, we have the right ZIP code for your pet's problem. But to narrow it down and have the outcome we both desire, I'm going to need some additional tests to find the reason for the problem.”

Advertisement

> “These tests are like installing large picture windows on your pet's body. They allow us to see how the internal organs are functioning, the integrity of the skeletal system, the interior of the stomach or microscopic parasites that may be causing big problems.”

Once you say you need the tests, stop talking. Wait for the pet owner to respond. The wait can be tortuous, but just pet the patient and have patience.

If the pet owner says “yes,” it's treatment plan time. If the client says “maybe” or “no,” don't immediately fold your diagnostic hand. Wearing my pet advocate hat, I'll typically tell the pet owner, “I might not have explained this to you clearly enough. I need this information if we're going to know exactly what's wrong with (pet's name) and the best way to treat her.”

You can be accused of being late for an appointment, missing a diagnosis or charging too much, but you'll never be accused of not looking after pets' best interests.

Veterinary Economics Practice Leadership Editor and CVC speaker Dr. Marty Becker is a media personality, lecturer, educator and author of dozens of books, including The Healing Power of Pets. He practices at North Idaho Animal Hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Related Content:

Client Relations & Marketing
Overcoming language barriers with diverse veterinary staff
Overcoming language barriers with diverse veterinary staff
Industry leaders launch Positive Pet Care Guide
Industry leaders launch Positive Pet Care Guide
Navigating emotionally charged conversations
Navigating emotionally charged conversations

Advertisement

Latest News

Advice on dog and cat seasonal allergies with air quality threats

News wrap-up: Keeping pets safe from wildfire smoke, and other veterinary news

Morris Animal Foundation celebrates 75th anniversary

Why ingredients for pet food supplements should be studied

View More Latest News
Advertisement