From:
kath0524
Date: 2002-05-08 05:18:00 UTC
Subject: Is My Vet Running Too Many Tests?
I have had this same dilemma. I'm sure most of us have. We are
trying to diagnose a problem and the tests (and costs) pile up. We
start wondering just what our vet is doing. All I can say is ASK!!!
Vets are scientists. They want to know WHAT is occuring and WHY it's
occuring. In some cases, as laypeople, we just want to know how to
fix it.
My Cedes has non-regenerative anemia. We don't know exacly what is
going on but the weekly Epogen injections have brought his red cell
count back up into normal range (53%) That's good enough for me. He
actually is off the Epogen injections for a while but we will
continue to monitor is PCV every few weeks. To get to the exact
cause, a bone marrow biopsy could be performed. There are probably
other tests that could be run also. I don't think it's necessary as
long as the symptoms are being treated. Sometimes, as much as I hate
to admit it, cost does become a factor.
A couple of years ago, we were trying to find out what was going on
with Blaze. Several tests were run and my vet finally wanted to do
an ultrasound (around $100). I asked what he would do if he saw
something. He said he would need to go in and take a look. I asked
what he would do if he didn't see anything. He said he would still
need to go in and take a look (ecause we still had no clue what was
going on. So.....I said "Let's put the $100 towards surgery since
you're going in either way". Made perfect sense. She was eaten up
with cancer so I let her go on the table.
My point is that good vets are willing to talk to you about the tests
they want to run and why they are necessary. My vet has told me
several times that certain tests are "nice to have" (the scientist in
him) but not absolutely necessary to the diagnosis and treatment. If
they have no concrete effect on treatment, I sometimes opt to skip
them.
I don't skip tests that could have an impact on my aniaml's overall
well-being. I believe in bloodwork being run prior to surgeries. I
routinely have CBCs done on my older animals.
This List is helpful for ideas, others experiences, referrals, and
making suggestions for what questions to ask. But, the people here
have not seen your ferret, they are not the ferret's vet, and they
don't know its history. Your vet is the best person to ask.
Katharine