Videotaping for Your Veterinarian

An Often Overlooked Diagnostic Tool

The one good reason to use your cellphone when you are in the exam room with your veterinarian is to share a video recording of your pet’s symptoms.

Video has the potential to help your vet hone in on a diagnosis more expediently, and potentially, less expensively. Unless your pet’s new symptom or odd behavior is occurring round the clock, the likelihood of it happening in the exam room is slim to none. Limps, lethargy, squinty eyes, coughing, and the list goes on and on, have a funny way of disappearing under the influence of adrenaline.

So, when you notice your pet doing something abnormal, grab your cell phone and shoot a video. You may even get a laugh from your vet if you include some Jacque Cousteau narration.

Here’s a classic example of how helpful videotaping can be. “Reverse sneezing” is a symptom that occurs when a dog feels a tickling sensation in the back of the throat. The dog assumes a stiff posture, with head and neck rigidly extended forward. This is accompanied by forceful, noisy inhalation and exhalation that can last for several seconds, even minutes.

People often think this is an asthma attack or something is stuck in their dog’s throat. As dramatic as it sounds, reverse sneezing is a dog’s way of clearing their throat. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be checked out by your vet, but it’s not an emergency situation. Your dog is unlikely to reverse sneeze in the exam room, and you’ll feel silly trying to imitate it. Take a video instead.

Here are examples of behaviors/symptoms that warrant videotaping.

• Weakness

• Trembling

• Incoordination

• Falling down/collapse.

• Episodes of pain

• Symptoms with passing urine or stool

• Making odd noises

• Coughing

• Labored breathing

• Limping/lameness/not moving right

• Odd behavior

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

Have you ever shared a video with your vet? If so, was it helpful?