[Opening Slide: A pet owner speaking with a vet while their pet rests nearby, with the text: “Aligning Questions with Your Goals.”]
Voiceover:
"Every vet visit is an opportunity to ensure your pet gets the care they need, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the information you’re given. The key to staying in control is asking the right questions—questions that align with your unique goals as a pet owner, which we identified earlier in this course.
Whether your focus is fixing a symptom, keeping your pet comfortable, finding a cure, or understanding the underlying cause, your questions should guide the conversation toward achieving those goals."

[Slide 1: A diagram with four quadrants, each labeled with one of the pet owner goals: “Fix the Symptom,” “Keep Comfortable,” “Find a Cure,” “Understand the Cause.”]
Voiceover:
"Each type of pet owner will naturally have different priorities during a vet visit. For example:
If you’re focused on fixing a symptom, you’ll want to ask about immediate solutions.
If keeping your pet comfortable is your priority, you might ask about pain management or improving quality of life.
If your goal is to find a cure, your questions may focus on comprehensive testing or advanced treatments.
And if you want to understand the cause, you’ll ask about diagnostics and how they inform future care decisions."

Slide 2: A pet owner talking to a vet, with the text: “Question 1: How does this test or treatment align with my pet’s goals?”]
Voiceover:
"The first question to ask is: 'How does this test or treatment align with my goals for my pet’s care?'
This question ensures that every step—whether it’s a diagnostic test, a medication, or a lifestyle change—has a clear purpose that matches what you’re aiming to achieve. For example, if your dog is limping and your goal is to understand the cause, the vet might recommend imaging like X-rays to investigate further. On the other hand, if your goal is immediate relief, they might suggest rest or anti-inflammatory medication first."

Voiceover:
"Asking this question also helps you evaluate whether a suggested treatment meets your expectations. You’ll feel confident that the plan is tailored to your pet’s needs—and your priorities as their advocate."

Slide 4: A pet owner writing notes while listening to the vet, with the text: “Question 2: What results should I expect, and how soon?”]
Voiceover:
"The second question is: 'What results should I expect, and how soon?'
This question sets clear expectations for outcomes and timelines. For example, if your cat is coughing and you start a new medication, you’ll want to know how quickly it should work and what changes to look for. If your goal is to keep your pet comfortable, this might mean monitoring for signs of improved mobility or reduced discomfort."


This does not mean that results of any test or treatment are predictable in advance. Because in healthcare that is not the case at all.
But there is a strong idea of what we may achieve (what the test is seeking to understand and what the treatment means for the next steps)

There is an important concept that you - as a pet owner - must be aware of.

Because of the complex nature of living creatures, there are many possible causes for any particular symptom and also a number of important underlying issues that could be present in addition to the one you are looking for.

So as part of testing, vets are often seeking to understand this.


For any test we may be actively looking for the real culprit, such as a pancreatitis or liver issue or kidney issue. GIving you as the pet owner the correct expectations and the animal the correct treatment often depends on this. This is called Ruling In. It is often assumed that all tests and treatments are aimed at this.

On the other hand, it can be just as critical to know that some particular health issues are not present. This can in particular include liver, kidney or pancreatic issues, because of how they impact health, immune system, healing and how the body handles medications. This is called Ruling Out

Understanding these concepts allows a more collaborative ground to be found between the vet team and pet owner, as both have the pets best interests at heart and without both having knowledge of ruling in and ruling out, it can and very much does lead to misunderstanding, frustration and confusion.

[Slide 6: An image of a vet and owner discussing next steps, with the text: “Question 4: What are the next steps?”]
Voiceover:
"Finally, ask: 'What are the next steps?'
This question brings everything together. Whether it’s scheduling a follow-up, trying a new treatment, or monitoring at home, you’ll leave the visit with a clear action plan. Knowing what’s next ensures you’re always moving toward your pet’s health goals."

[Slide 7: A smiling owner leaving the clinic with their pet, holding a care plan, with the text: “Keep the Focus on Your Goals.”]
Voiceover:
"By asking questions that align with your goals, you take control of the conversation and ensure every decision is meaningful for your pet’s care. When the vet’s recommendations match your priorities, the value becomes clear—whether it’s a test, treatment, or long-term plan.
In the next video, we’ll explore how to decode veterinary jargon so you can fully understand every aspect of your pet’s care. I’ll see you there!"