The Art of Veterinary Medicine: Remember the Pet Owner

Erica Mattox, CVT, VTS (ECC), patient care director and surgery manager of WestVet in Garden City, Idaho, says it's important for veterinarians to remember the pet owner's side of the art form of taking care of patients.

As veterinarians, we sometimes forget that pet owners are part of the team that makes sure the pet does well after treatment. Pet owners need to know how to take care of their pets when they go home from the hospital, see subtle triggers in their pets, understand the importance of medication and be able to recognize normal behavior and abnormal behavior.