Videotaping for your VET

madeinamerica — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:52:13 GMT

I apologize for the error in the title, makes all the difference in the world ....so I am reposting this. I think it's a great idea as sometimes, symptoms are very hard to describe and you know the old adage..."a picture is worth a thousand words".....when it comes to medical conditions and symptoms, I think that's very true. Hope this helps someone.

Now, I'm off to meet my campaign manager

madeinamerica179 PostsJoined 4/24/2007

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Videotaping for Your Vet- by Nancy Kay, DVM ©

Rarely am I bothered by client misbehavior, but when a client answers their cell phone while we are in the midst of discussion, I admit to feeling a bit peeved. So why in the world would I invite my clients to whip out their cell phones during the course of an office visit? Because I want to see video of my patients' symptoms! Unless you are like me- still using a cell phone that my daughter considers prehistoric- your cell phone allows you to have instant access to shooting video. And if I can watch videotape of your pet's confusing symptom or odd behavior, I'm more likely to figure out the underlying issue, more so than with just your verbal description (no offense intended). And when I have a better sense of the underlying issue, I can more expediently, and often less expensively, guide you towards rational diagnostics and/or therapy.

Unless the odd behavior or new symptom is occurring round the clock, the likelihood of it happening in my exam room is slim to none. You'd be surprised what symptoms fully resolve when animals are under the influence of adrenaline. So, if your dog or cat is doing something bizarre that you think will be difficult to accurately describe to your vet, I encourage you to grab your cell phone and shoot a video (feel free to include some Jacques Cousteau narration if you like). By all means, nix the video if you sense you are observing something that is life threatening, and get to the nearest veterinary hospital ASAP.

Here's a classic example of how videotaping a medical problem can be wonderfully helpful. A common symptom in dogs is referred to as "reverse sneezing." It occurs when a dog feels a tickling sensation in the back of their throat. It is somewhat equivalent to a person clearing their throat. However, when dogs reverse sneeze, the symptoms appear ridiculously overly dramatic. They assume a stiff posture with head and neck rigidly extended forward. This is accompanied by forceful, noisy inhalation and exhalation that can last for several seconds, even minutes. (Check out an example of reverse sneezing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UyBrb0Hhpk.)

For the uninitiated, reverse sneezing is a scary thing to watch- clients commonly report that they think their dog is having an "asthma attack." Show your vet a video of reverse sneezing and he or she will be able to recommend what to do about it as well as provide plenty of reassurance that, no matter how dramatic the symptoms appear, they are not causing any oxygen deprivation. As much as video is helpful in this situation, I must admit I will miss watching my clients trying to imitate reverse sneezing (oops- I just revealed one of this veterinarian's dirty little secrets)!

Here are some examples of other behaviors/symptoms that should prompt you to grab your cell phone and shoot some video (if you can think of others, please let me know):

Weakness
Trembling
Incoordination
Falling down/collapse
Episodes of pain
Symptoms associated with passing urine or stool
Making odd noises (in this situation audio taping is a must along with video)
Coughing (again, adding audio is great)
Labored breathing
Limping/lameness
Odd behavior

Have you ever shared video with your vet? If so, did it prove to be beneficial in making decisions about how to proceed?

If you would like to respond publicly, please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=2076.

Best wishes,

Dr. Nancy Kay
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association 2009 Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, 2009 Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, 2009 Eukanuba Canine Health Award

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Videotaping for your VET

Videotaping for Your Vet- by Nancy Kay, DVM ©