What is a history, and how can I best prepare for the visit?

A history is information that we gather by asking you specific questions that will guide diagnosis and treatment. In “sick patient” visits to the veterinarian, the questions you are asked are often only limited to symptoms and recent events. During a pain consultation we will ask about your pet’s daily activities, what they can and cannot do, type of exercise, play, food, treats, car rides, whether you can give medications, and financial limitations. This conversation takes longer then the usual veterinary visit, and so you should allow time for this and the examination. We estimate that the average visit time is 1.5 – 2 hours for the initial pain consultation. In some cases we may ask you to fill out a “comfort diary” or to discuss your pet’s daily activities with other family members prior to the visit. It is very useful for you to bring any medications, including natural ones, with you to show us, and to measure exactly how much food you are feeding your pet.