Questioning the Owner

We will now study a history taking session.

There is a series of video sequences illustrating different aspects of this process but all relating to the same clinical case.  Why not make your own clinical notes as the sequences play, as you might do in the clinic.  We will be analysing the progress of the interview as we go along.

Click PLAY to watch the first video (882kb).

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In this first section we see that it is important to determine what were the first signs of the disease - these are likely to be primary lesions - and how it progressed.

Of course, we should also have obtained any previous history from the veterinary surgeon who saw this animal initially.  This is most important as it tells about the disease, its progression and what treatments have been used.

You should carefully assess any discrepancy you find between the history given by the owner and that given by the initial veterinary surgeon.  This may indicate lack of memory or may show that the owner has not carried out correctly the prescribed procedures.  Many clients fail to comply correctly with their vets instructions.

Click PLAY to watch the second video (603kb).