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Emergency Vet Visit

A pet owner brings their pet to the veterinary clinic for an emergency, explaining symptoms and discussing potential treatments or diagnoses with the vet.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Pet Owner (Female)
Excuse me, Dr. Ava! I think Honey needs help. She's been lethargic and refusing to eat all day, and she just threw up.
2
Veterinarian (Female)
Oh dear, that sounds concerning. Bring her right over to the exam room. Let's get her checked out immediately.
3
Pet Owner (Female)
Thank you, Dr. Ava. She's usually so active. This is really unlike her. I'm so worried.
4
Veterinarian (Female)
I understand. Let's see... can you tell me more about the vomit? Was it clear, or did it have food in it?
5
Pet Owner (Female)
It was mostly clear, a bit foamy, but no undigested food. She also seems a bit wobbly when she tries to walk.
6
Veterinarian (Female)
Okay, that helps. I'm going to take her temperature and then feel her abdomen carefully. We might need to do some blood work to rule out anything serious.
7
Pet Owner (Female)
Whatever it takes, Dr. Ava. Just please let me know what's going on. She means the world to me.
8
Veterinarian (Female)
We'll do our best. I'll keep you updated every step of the way. Let's get her comfortable first.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

lethargic

This adjective means lacking energy or feeling very tired and inactive. Use it to describe a pet or person who seems unusually sleepy or slow, like 'The dog is lethargic today.'

concerning

This adjective describes something that causes worry or concern. It's useful in medical or emergency situations, such as 'That symptom is concerning; we should see a doctor.'

vomit

This noun or verb refers to the act of throwing up food from the stomach or the substance thrown up. In pet care, say 'The cat vomited on the floor' to report symptoms.

wobbly

This adjective means unsteady or shaking when moving. It's practical for describing balance issues, like 'The puppy is walking wobbly after the injury.'

abdomen

This noun is the part of the body between the chest and hips, containing the stomach and intestines. In vet contexts, use it as 'The vet will check the dog's abdomen for pain.'

blood work

This phrase means medical tests done on a sample of blood to check for health issues. It's common in doctor or vet visits, like 'We need blood work to diagnose the problem.'

rule out

This phrasal verb means to exclude or eliminate a possibility. Use it in diagnostics, such as 'The tests will rule out any infection.'

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

She's been lethargic and refusing to eat all day, and she just threw up.

This sentence describes symptoms using 'been + adjective/verb-ing' for ongoing actions and 'and' to connect ideas. It's useful for explaining health problems to a doctor or vet clearly and urgently.

Oh dear, that sounds concerning. Bring her right over to the exam room.

Here, 'Oh dear' expresses sympathy, and 'sounds concerning' shows worry. The imperative 'Bring her right over' gives quick instructions. Use this pattern to respond empathetically in emergencies.

This is really unlike her. I'm so worried.

'Unlike' compares to normal behavior, and 'so worried' intensifies emotion with 'so + adjective.' This is practical for expressing concern about changes in a pet or person's health.

Can you tell me more about the vomit? Was it clear, or did it have food in it?

This uses a polite question with 'can you' for requests and 'or' for alternatives. It's a key pattern for asking detailed questions in medical consultations to gather more information.

I'm going to take her temperature and then feel her abdomen carefully.

The future 'going to' plans actions, connected with 'and then' for sequence. This sentence shows how to describe examination steps professionally, useful in vet or doctor role-plays.

We might need to do some blood work to rule out anything serious.

'Might need to' expresses possibility, and 'to + verb' shows purpose. This is helpful for suggesting tests and explaining reasons in health discussions.

Whatever it takes, Dr. Ava. Just please let me know what's going on.

'Whatever it takes' means doing anything necessary, and 'just please' politely requests information. Use this to show determination and seek updates in urgent situations.