Have you ever stood in a vet’s office and felt the sheer intensity of that moment? On one side, there is the medical expertise, sometimes in the form of a top specialist in a white coat. On the other side, there you are with your pet, who trusts you completely. In those exact moments, our animals are fully at our mercy and at the mercy of the practice team. They cannot tell us where it hurts, and they cannot negotiate. They need us as their safe haven and as their voice.
Lately, I’ve been noticing a trend in my work that really makes me pause and reflect. Clients keep telling me about situations where a surgery date is scheduled right off the bat. And only on the day of the planned surgery, moments before, the actual diagnostic work like a CT scan or an X-ray is performed just to decide what actually needs to be done.
Of course, there are emergencies where every minute counts and fast action is lifesaving. But in the vast majority of cases, that simply isn’t the case. In normal situations, it is extremely difficult to make a good decision on the fly and under time pressure. When your pet is already being prepared for anesthesia and the appointment is booked on the calendar, we slip into a mode where we just function. It leaves hardly any room to take a deep breath, to ask questions, or to tune into our intuition.
Yet it is so vital to first take a peaceful look at what the actual problem is. What are the options? What truly makes sense for your pet right now, and what might not?
I want to remind you today of how much power and intuition you carry within you. You don’t need a degree in veterinary medicine to be a wonderful advocate for your companion. You are the one who has your pet by your side every single day. You know their eyes, their subtle signs of fatigue and the quiet nuances of their language. You carry the daily observation within you, and that observation is at least as valuable as any diagnostic equipment.
Empower yourself to think along with the vet and not to trust blindly.
When a doctor gives you a diagnosis or suggests a test, ask them to explain it to you clearly. Ask how that diagnosis was reached and why this step is necessary right now. Does what you’re being told match what you observe at home with your pet? If you feel uncertain, keep asking. A good vet won’t feel challenged by your questions; they will appreciate having an attentive partner in the room.
Also tune into what your pet needs in that situation. How can you make the visit easier for them? Where are their boundaries? And most importantly: Pay attention to how the practice team interacts with your pet. Is it mindful, loving, and respectful? If you notice that your pet is overwhelmed or being rushed through, you have every right to stand up for them. You can ask everyone to pause for a moment, give your pet a short break, or adjust their tone.
Our animals gift us their complete trust. And we can honor that trust by remaining attentive and vigilant. We are allowed to look closely, to question, and to have the courage to claim space for our gut feeling.
If you are facing a medical decision, feeling unsure, or wanting to tune into what your pet wishes for in this process, I am truly happy to be by your side. Sometimes a look at the subtle, intuitive level helps to regain absolute clarity on the outside and to show up fully for your pet.
From my heart,
Tanja