Email and the diagnosis and delivery of medical information don't
exactly go hand-in-hand.

Usually, the vet needs to see the animal and make a determination on the
basis of first hand observance rather than email information.

Agreed, email can be a huge time waster.

Rhonda <san-toki@attremovethis.net> wrote in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav:

I think Dr. Tina uses it because it definitely saves her time.  
Given the size of the practice, returning fewer non-urgent calls
frees up her face time in the clinic and she can respond with more
detail.  And certainly I can give a more thorough explanationof the
issue than taking up face/phone time.  Here is my email exchange
with her regarding this incident.  She's always very thoughtful.
________________________

Dr. Tina:

I spoke to Dr. Greg today about Kami showing interest in food, but
not eating it. He suggested that I bring her in for a dental and I
wanted to know if that's something you agree with. She eats my food
without a problem, so I would think if she needed dental attention
should wouldn't want anything. She really just seems to be against
her food, no matter what it is. I tried a trick, and made a small
portion of scrambled eggs and sat in my spot and she wanted
them. When I got up and put the plate down in her spot for her to
eat, she walked away.

I asked Dr. Greg about an appetite stimulant first, but he seemed
to want dental first. I'm just suspicious about trying the most
expensive thing first. I've always be willing to do what is
necessary for her, but I want to make sure it's necessary.

Thanks!

________________________

Good morning,
I'm not sure a dental is what's needed. The best way to tell that is
just to look at her teeth and see if there is any sign of infection
and irritation such as red gums or heavy tartar. Often with my
kidney patients they want to eat but are nauseated from the actual
disease. I would increase the fluid frequency for a few days and try
a pepcid ac to see if that helps. Before we try an appetite
stimulant I would recommend a recheck exam to make sure that she is
doing well. Also, try a different food for awhile to see if a change
will help her appetite.
Keep me posted.
Dr.T
___________________________

Replying again, you seem to be right on the money, as usual.  The
few days of straight SQ, plus three days of pepcid seem to be doing
the trick.  She did vomit what looked like the days' dining this
evening a few hours after giving the Baytril, but she's been going
back and eating a few bites every once in a while.  She hasn't been
"put off" by the episode.  If ever your clients ask, I HIGHLY
recommend the Bissell SpotBot carpet cleaner between the barfing and
scooting.  

She finally focused in on a Fancy Feast variety that isn't the best
for her, but given the alternative... I used to have low blood
pressure, but now it's high.  I wonder how that happened...  

I love Kami dearly, but I feel more like a hospice than a home with
a cuddly pet sometimes.  I really don't know what to do from here.  
I promised her I would be here for her the rest of her natural life.  
But when is it not natural anymore?
___________________________

Good morning,
Glad to read she is eating some. I agree with you, who cares what it
is as long as she's eating something right now.
I think you have been giving her the best care and it's a shame that
renal failure is 100% fatal. All we can do is manage it to slow the
process down and buy some time. It's my true belief that to go on
when they have more bad days than good is only for us. Allowing them
to rest without fighting to the end is the biggest and hardest act
of love we ever do for our babies. I will help you to know when it's
time.
Take care and thanks for the updates,
Dr.T

I guess so.  Sometimes I think it's easier to shoot out an email than
return a call, however.

Charlie