Real-Life Communication
Communications skills are vital for veterinarians. Not only do you
have to relate to animals, but you must also be able to talk
to their owners so you can treat the pet effectively.
"The biggest
myth about veterinarians is that we deal only with animals, not people," says
vet Susan Quigly. "But the animals don't admit themselves to the hospital,
and they certainly can't tell us they've been having trouble keeping
down food. It's the owners we interact with."
A woman has brought
her old dog, Jake, to your veterinary clinic. She says Jake doesn't eat
and seems to have trouble seeing. By looking at the dog's eyes, you can
tell the problem is cataracts -- a white filmy layer over the eyes which,
if left untreated, causes blindness. The dog is probably not eating because
he's depressed by his difficulty in seeing.
In this situation,
Jake's owner has three options:
- Have the dog's cataracts operated on. Chances for success are pretty
good, but the operation may cost up to $1,000. Many people can't afford
that kind of expense.
- Let the dog continue to go blind and tell the owner to keep him at home.
In your mind this is the least humane decision, since many animals go crazy
when they lose their vision.
- Put the dog down to prevent any further suffering.
Using this information, explain Jake's illness and the options
to his owner. Remember, this is a beloved companion to this woman, so be as
sensitive as possible.