When a pet becomes sick and needs veterinary care, pet parents naturally expect results. They want their veterinarian to make their pet well. In addition, they often expect the best care, the newest treatments, and the most advanced diagnostic tools available. However, in many cases, pet parents unintentionally sabotage their pet’s medical outcome.
Too often, pet parents withhold information or even lie to their veterinarian. This behavior does not usually stem from bad intentions. Instead, it commonly arises from fear or anxiety, including:
- Fear of being judged
- An aversion to being lectured
- A desire to present their pet in a more positive light
- Wanting a specific medication or diagnosis
- Anxiety about disappointing the veterinarian
Unfortunately, even small omissions can have serious consequences. When veterinarians lack accurate information, they may order unnecessary or invasive diagnostic tests. Worse still, they could prescribe a medication that interacts dangerously with a drug the pet already receives.
As a board-certified emergency, critical care, and internal medicine specialist, I care for a unique population of patients. These pets are often critically ill and medically fragile. In many cases, I see the sickest of the sick. Because of this, the stakes are exceptionally high. Deceit or non-compliance can quickly become life-threatening.
An All-Too-Common Example
Consider a scenario that occurs far more often than most pet parents realize.
Imagine you have an older American Cocker Spaniel who struggles to rise on his hind legs and jump onto the couch. Since people develop aches and pains with age, you assume the same applies to dogs. As a result, you decide to give your dog a few aspirin, the same medication you take yourself. After all, it helps you feel better, so it should help him too, right?
Now, imagine that this same dog later receives a diagnosis of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). Your family veterinarian appropriately refers your dog to a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist for advanced care. During the consultation, the specialist asks whether your dog is receiving any medications. However, you choose not to mention the aspirin because you fear being lectured for giving a human medication without veterinary guidance.
Because your family veterinarian was also unaware of the aspirin use, no record exists in the medical chart. After a thorough diagnostic workup, the specialist prescribes prednisone, a cornerstone medication for treating IMHA.
At first glance, this sounds ideal. In reality, it is dangerous.
Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Veterinarians should never administer steroids, such as prednisone, at the same time as NSAIDs. This combination significantly increases the risk of life-threatening complications, including gastrointestinal ulceration or perforation and acute kidney injury.
The Take-Home Message
In an ideal world, pets would never need a board-certified veterinary specialist. However, we do not live in an ideal world. Pets get sick, and sometimes they become critically ill. When families seek specialty care, we recognize how frightened and overwhelmed they may feel.
Veterinary specialists pride themselves on building trust with pet parents. We do not judge. In fact, we intentionally schedule long consultations, often 60 minutes or more, so we can talk with you, thoroughly examine your pet, and answer your questions. Most importantly, we strive to create an environment where honesty feels safe and supported.
