Friday, June 01, 2012

The gloves are off: doctors vs veterinarians

I was at the doctor's the other day and I asked the him to take a look at something on my neck. He has no problem with my request and puts on some gloves to take a look - now it was just my neck and I do take daily showers so I was a little surprised that he needed gloves but mentally moved on anyway until the next day when I took Eco to the vet for her annual check-up and shots. A nurse and the vet touched her all over the place, lifted up her big flappy Labrador lips and checked out her teeth, lifted up her big flappy Labrador ears to check inside her ears and check some other places and they did it all without gloves! Hmm, my dog gets washed once a month and is low to the ground and runs through all sorts of grasses and plants and my vet doesn't need gloves? But my doctor does?

Interesting isn't it?

I just read an article (I wish I could remember where so I could provide the source for you), which was about how doctors don't touch people anymore. Vet's don't have much choice with their patients since they have to rely on the observation skills of the animal guardian to provide important detail and from what I've seen so far, most people don't have necessarily have good observation skills when it comes to their pets - don't you agree?

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And I know.
To my brother, I acknowledge " it's not as simple as that and the answer is complex."
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To him I say "SNICKERDOODLE!" (he knows what that means)





PHOTO CREDIT: http://www.glovesmd.com/sc_images/content/iStock_000016633257XSmall.jpg

4 comments:

Teena in Toronto said...

My doctor is very thorough ... she just wears gloves when she gets invasive.

Way Out Wear said...

Ah! See that makes sense!

Anonymous said...

humans carry wayayayay more contaminous germs than dogs. So the chance of transferring most sicknesses is far less than when a doctor examines a human patient. Since they can't (or won't) ask if the patient took a shower before he/she comes to see him they wear gloves. Although I must admit my doctor doesn't don gloves for just checking my neck with his fingers. So it must be a combination of your doctor being overly squeamish or particular about transferring germs, or he loves wasting gloves, or hates using soap and water.

Mac said...

When it comes to pets, many owners often neglect a critical aspect of pet ownership, which is emergency preparedness. Animals are very spontaneous and curious creatures that are quick to get themselves in trouble by consuming something hazards or by engaging in something dangerous. Knowing how to respond in a situation where an animal's life is in danger is important. Also, many animals are victims to illness and accidents just like humans are, so being financially prepared can lessen any burden associated with emergency care.


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