How To Have A Successful On-Farm Vet Visit

Farm life is full of ups and downs.  

One day you are living the peaceful, serene life of a farmer. 

The next day...

Everything that can go wrong...

Does!

When it is time for everything to go wrong...

You can pretty well bet you can add a sick animal to the list of things gone awry. 

Now don't get me wrong...there are plenty of times to call the vet for good things.

Pregnancy checks, vaccinations, health papers for a show (have you scheduled your Ohio Beef Expo health papers yet?)...

All good reasons to see your vet.  

Unfortunately, that is usually not the reason we get to chat with our vet.  

Since we have built a good relationship with our vet and have had our fair share of experience with the vet, we have learned a few things about how to make each on-farm visit go as smoothly as possible.  

• Make a list - Make a list of all the issues with the animal, all the questions you may have and everything you have been meaning to "ask the vet."  Now is your chance.  In the heat of the moment, you will inevitably forget something, so just write it down!

• Tell the office what you need the vet for - If you have a list of things that you need done, be sure to tell the office all those items when scheduling the appointment.  We don't have the vet out very often, so sometimes our list can be long.  One time, we wanted an older cow dehorned.  The message did not get relayed properly, so when the vet came out, he didn't have bands big enough for the large horns.  A vet truck is only so big and they cannot carry everything with them.  By telling the office everything you need done, the vet can be prepared with all the needed supplies.  

• Have the animals penned up - Time is money.  Our vet charges by the hour.  There is no point in paying the vet to help you get your cows from the back 40.  Have the animals penned up in the barn so that the vet can spend their time treating your animals...not chasing them.

• Have help available if needed - If you have ever watched Dr. Pol, you have seen some of the amazing ways they need to roll and move animals.  Each situation is going to be different, but if there is a chance that the vet may need more man power, be sure to have someone already there or on-call to come help.  

• Be on time - This especially applies to scheduled farm visits.  Again...time is money and the vet has other clients to see.  Don't make the vet wait for you!

• Have pen and paper ready - The vet may give you a laundry list of instructions for treating a sick animal.  You probably assume your memory is better than it actually is....so just write it down!  

• Get follow-up instructions - Do you need to do anything additional after the vet leaves?  How much medication do you administer, how often and for how many days?  If you don't see improvement when should you call the vet back?  When will the test results be in?

• Have registrations papers and records available - Your vet may want to know information about your animals.  When was the last time your wormed them?  Have that info ready for them.  Our vet is coming out this week to do health checks for the Ohio Beef Expo.  Birth dates and registration numbers are needed for those health papers.  Have that info at your fingertips so that they can quickly and easily complete the needed paper work.  

Calling the vet out to care for a sick animal can be a stressful time.  Being prepared can help ease the tension and stress and allow you and the vet to concentrate on giving the best care to your animals.  

An on-farm visit from your vet can be a great learning opportunity as well as a time to care for your animals.  While you have the undivided attention of your vet, be sure to glean all of the information that you can.  

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