We have the best job in the world, at least I think so.  And you probably think so too, since you are a Vet Student happily giving up years of your life for vet school to become a veterinarian.

You are likely envisioning a life of puppies and kittens, foals and calves, kids and lambs, chicks, piglets, and crias.  You get the idea.  But, as you know, not all days will be happy ones in the world of veterinary medicine.

Communicating effectively with veterinary clients is a skill all of its own.

When working to obtain an accurate patient history, avoiding certain questions will not only provide you with more accurate information, but also create an opportunity for discussion.

Here are five questions for the veterinarian or vet tech to avoid when speaking with pet owners.

There probably isn’t a topic more controversial in veterinary medicine than euthanasia.  A veterinary license provides us with the legal authority to humanely end the lives of our animal patients.   And although this is allowed, and most often medically necessary, it does not come without cost.

Good bedside manner is one of the most important skills that a veterinary professional can possess. Your ability to convey confidence and compassion to your clients is key to building a solid client base.  It’s true that you can be a successful clinician, save lives, perform technical services and diagnose rare diseases without good bedside manner, but your job will likely be a lot easier if you have a sparkling personality, especially in companion animal medicine. What can you do to help your patients feel comfortable?