Posted By: sugarlope
Vetiquette - 07/15/09 04:07 AM
After my visit with my vet today, I realized that we talk a lot about what we should expect from our vets, but we don't talk very much about what our vets should be able to expect from us.
I took Kira in for an exam today and my vet commented on how nice my kids were and how much easier her job was because I could help hold them and keep them under control.
While vets are there to help us with our animals through crisis or through routine wellness exams, there are several things that I think we can strive to do to make office visits go smoothly;
Make sure nails are trimmed before the examination. If it is not an emergency situation, I always trim nails the morning before I go to see the vet. We are (more) used to glider's nails and most of us can probably tolerate them longer than non-glider owners. If nails are trimmed, handling and manipulating them is easier during the examination because neither myself nor the vet are having to constantly pull tiny pins out of our fingers (arms, shirts, pouches, face, etc.) I think it is important to trim the nails the day before or day of a visit.
Learn how to handle your gliders so you (and other's) don't get bit. Ok, while vets are more used to being scratched and bit, it is not actually their job, and in fact these things make their job more difficult to carry out.
I don't care how well trained a vet tech is, most vet techs that have not dealt with small animals (and even some who have) do not know how to hold a sugar glider without someone getting bit. We are the people that know our own gliders the best. We know their mannerisms, we know their sounds, their attitudes and we should all try to learn how to handle them for a vet if the need arises. I know that friendlier gliders are generally easier to handle, but several of mine will bite if they feel they are being messed with and one of them will bite very hard because he can. (Ok not really, of course there are reasons such as fear and protective instincts behind the behavior, but I think you know what I mean).
I have seen several posts about vets putting gliders under to do a simple exam and how upset some people get about this procedure. The reason this often occurs is because they don't want to feel like a pin cushion, nor should they have to. If we can all learn how to handle our own gliders, then hopefully that won't be a risk we have to take as often.
Ways to handle an upset glider, you ask? These are a few ideas;
-Keep fingers and other skin away from their mouth. This seems obvious, but try to keep it in mind.
-Always remember fleece is your friend (but remember too that an angry glider can bite through 1-2 pieces of fleece).
-Trimmed nails make it easier to hold onto a glider in fleece.
-If you immobilize the head, they can't get their mouth to your skin, or the vet's.
-Give them something to hold onto with their hands/feet when you can, especially when you are holding their head, this keeps them from getting quite as panicky.
-Keep your eyes on your glider. If you look away and start talking instead of paying attention to their movements, you are more likely to lose control of them. You will often find that they are looking at you too. I find it is more comforting to them to have your attention on them than looking elsewhere.
-If you are losing control of them, let the vet know BEFORE you release your glider. All hands off, take a break, let them walk around for a second or two and then pick them up and try again.
-Always give treats, scratches/rubs, or some kind of reward when you are finished holding them.
Make sure to have all pertinent information with you. When you make an appointment (non-emergency) sit down the day before and go over any changes in their behavior, activity level, appetite, weight, appearance or symptomology that has recently occurred for each glider that will be seen. Write things down to help you remember (especially dates and number of days for symptoms, etc.) It can be as easy as writing significant changes down on a calendar as they happen, with the gliders name to help you remember along the way.
Remember to be nice. I know not all vets are as knowledgeable as others, and it can get frustrating, but try to remember that most of them are there to help if they can. There may be a limit to their knowledge, but getting angry with them is not going to help the situation and may just result in them no longer listening to you. If they are not comfortable with sugar gliders, take consult vet #'s with you, just in case. Most veterinarians are willing to learn. If you find one that you cannot work with or are uncomfortable with, however, it is always your right to search for another vet.
I think having a good relationship with your vet is important, regardless of what kind of animal you have.
Ok, that's it, I'm off my soapbox.
If anyone has anything to add, though, please do!
I took Kira in for an exam today and my vet commented on how nice my kids were and how much easier her job was because I could help hold them and keep them under control.
While vets are there to help us with our animals through crisis or through routine wellness exams, there are several things that I think we can strive to do to make office visits go smoothly;
Make sure nails are trimmed before the examination. If it is not an emergency situation, I always trim nails the morning before I go to see the vet. We are (more) used to glider's nails and most of us can probably tolerate them longer than non-glider owners. If nails are trimmed, handling and manipulating them is easier during the examination because neither myself nor the vet are having to constantly pull tiny pins out of our fingers (arms, shirts, pouches, face, etc.) I think it is important to trim the nails the day before or day of a visit.
Learn how to handle your gliders so you (and other's) don't get bit. Ok, while vets are more used to being scratched and bit, it is not actually their job, and in fact these things make their job more difficult to carry out.
I don't care how well trained a vet tech is, most vet techs that have not dealt with small animals (and even some who have) do not know how to hold a sugar glider without someone getting bit. We are the people that know our own gliders the best. We know their mannerisms, we know their sounds, their attitudes and we should all try to learn how to handle them for a vet if the need arises. I know that friendlier gliders are generally easier to handle, but several of mine will bite if they feel they are being messed with and one of them will bite very hard because he can. (Ok not really, of course there are reasons such as fear and protective instincts behind the behavior, but I think you know what I mean).
I have seen several posts about vets putting gliders under to do a simple exam and how upset some people get about this procedure. The reason this often occurs is because they don't want to feel like a pin cushion, nor should they have to. If we can all learn how to handle our own gliders, then hopefully that won't be a risk we have to take as often.
Ways to handle an upset glider, you ask? These are a few ideas;
-Keep fingers and other skin away from their mouth. This seems obvious, but try to keep it in mind.
-Always remember fleece is your friend (but remember too that an angry glider can bite through 1-2 pieces of fleece).
-Trimmed nails make it easier to hold onto a glider in fleece.
-If you immobilize the head, they can't get their mouth to your skin, or the vet's.
-Give them something to hold onto with their hands/feet when you can, especially when you are holding their head, this keeps them from getting quite as panicky.
-Keep your eyes on your glider. If you look away and start talking instead of paying attention to their movements, you are more likely to lose control of them. You will often find that they are looking at you too. I find it is more comforting to them to have your attention on them than looking elsewhere.
-If you are losing control of them, let the vet know BEFORE you release your glider. All hands off, take a break, let them walk around for a second or two and then pick them up and try again.
-Always give treats, scratches/rubs, or some kind of reward when you are finished holding them.
Make sure to have all pertinent information with you. When you make an appointment (non-emergency) sit down the day before and go over any changes in their behavior, activity level, appetite, weight, appearance or symptomology that has recently occurred for each glider that will be seen. Write things down to help you remember (especially dates and number of days for symptoms, etc.) It can be as easy as writing significant changes down on a calendar as they happen, with the gliders name to help you remember along the way.
Remember to be nice. I know not all vets are as knowledgeable as others, and it can get frustrating, but try to remember that most of them are there to help if they can. There may be a limit to their knowledge, but getting angry with them is not going to help the situation and may just result in them no longer listening to you. If they are not comfortable with sugar gliders, take consult vet #'s with you, just in case. Most veterinarians are willing to learn. If you find one that you cannot work with or are uncomfortable with, however, it is always your right to search for another vet.
I think having a good relationship with your vet is important, regardless of what kind of animal you have.
Ok, that's it, I'm off my soapbox.
If anyone has anything to add, though, please do!