I have a good reason for writing this article right at this moment. I should be getting gussed and laquered up for an impending date with the Cleveland orchestra. Instead, I’m sitting in my house in front of my laptop wearing a mu-mu (yes, even the chicest of vets has been known to don a fashionable, Target-designer special mu-mu).
Why do I offer up this [potentially embarrassing] confession? And what, pray tell, does it have to do with vet medicine and client procrastination?
It’s all because my vet boyfriend is currently cutting up pets instead of taking me to the symphony. It’s all because said pets’ owners felt it was OK to wait six days before seeking medical attention—on a Friday afternoon. I guess they thought it might be more expensive on a Saturday. (Not on your life after ruining our night out!).
Now, I’m not talking about real crises that spring unforeseen from thin air—like the bloat or the urinary obstruction. These happen and they’re perfectly permissible late-Friday entries.
No, I’m talking about… “My pet has been vomiting since Tuesday and I think the ‘superball’ he ate at a birthday party on Sunday might have something to do with it.” (Really? Care to sign this estimate?)
Or, how about the real winner: “I’m not sure what’s wrong with him but he hasn’t been able to move his hind limbs all week, Doc, what should we do?” (Ummm…sign here please.)
You remember the article I wrote yesterday? Well, this is its corollary. If you make life really hard for us, especially if it’s related to inflicting inexcusable cruelty on your pet, then we will charge you more and—guess what!—you may even be treated coldly by the staff.
Any person cold-blooded enough to let their dog languish in its own urine for days, then insult the veterinary team by forcing the issue at the last minute, deserves the special “idiot tax” (and I euphemize) that comes with our anger, frustration and disgust.
Did I forget to mention the expensive symphony tickets? Oops, add another $150 to the bill…somewhere. And my girlfriend’s wrath? Yep, it’s worth another $?…somewhere…anywhere.
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Stupid people shouldn't own pets.
Nuff said....
Stacy March 17th, 2007 09:58:00 AM
*sigh* It's the bane of the caring professions that we *can't* ignore issues like this and tell the owner that they'll have to come back tomorrow. At least your boyfriend *can* charge a stupidity tax. For me if the state cuts my pay and gives me more classes to teach, I do it because it's what has to be done, but there's no way I can compensate my lost time.
zandperl March 17th, 2007 11:06:00 AM
Add to that...why does the story change between the time they call regarding their emergency and when they arrive?
Thursday, a man calls needing to bring his dog in because it has a broken leg, apparently (per the owner) sustained while struggling to get under the fence.
The man arrives and the dog (4 year old Labrador retriever) is down in the back end, she had bit the owner in the face when he was trying to get her in his truck. The poor girl was in obvious pain as we got her out of the truck and on to the stretcher. I'd bite, too.
Now the whole story: the dog was fine Monday morning when he went to work. When he came home she was struggling to get under the fence *back into* the yard. When she popped out of the fence she was dragging her back end. MONDAY! But he let her drag herself around until Thursday??
After the vet finished her initial exam determined that it was quite likely she had been hit by a car during her excursion outside of the fence and ordered up a full work-up. The owner declined everything and elected to euthanize. No x-rays, nothing. It was heartbreaking.
Friday a lady brings in a chicken. At the time of the initial phone call she said she thought it was blind in one eye and was now circling. When she brought it in the tech that went in to triage came out complete aghast. The owner had told her that over the weekend the eye looked bad to her so she put in some Lotrimin. You read that right, the topical fungal medication for athlete's foot. The tech calmly said, "You really should only put medication meant for the eyes into the eye." The owner was perturbed and replied, "What kind of bedside manner is that? I already feel bad enough!"
So many happy endings that happen often get overshadowed by the cases that break you heart...many that could have been avoided if the owner hadn't been so far into denial that they procrastinated before getting help for their pet.
Nancy Campbell RVT March 17th, 2007 12:00:00 PM
Denial is one thing...and I sometimes respect that. Being a self-centered a------ is quite another. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. Sad.
Dr. Patty Khuly March 17th, 2007 12:57:00 PM
They're jerks, obviously.
But. You've been living in Miami during most of your life....you know people. Next time smile sympathetically at the boyfriend, seize the tickets, and take someone, even the offspring or your best friend's great aunt if everyone else is busy that night and go.
Life's too short to stay home in a Tar-jay mu-mu when you could be listening to great music.
Thing One March 18th, 2007 08:54:00 AM
I don't understand why some people insist on owning an animal if they are not going to take care of it. I've met a few folks at the dog park who like to stand around and discuss their dog's health issues. I always ask, "what did the vet say?". And guess what?? They don't think its quite bad enough yet for a vet visit!!! WHAT??? Honestly, I feel like slapping these people!!
There was one Sunday when Toby had the runs. He seemed to be panting for no reason as well. I quickly brought him in to see one of the emergency vets that are open 24/7. Yes, there's a initial emergency fee of $100 but so what??? Can you put a dollar value on health?? They took Toby's temperature and he had a bit of a fever. They said they would like to monitor him for 24 hours plus give him some fluids. The estimate for all this?? Anywhere between $1000-$1500. All I know is that if it was me that was feeling so crappy, I would only pray that someone would take care of me!! Yes, it was expensive, but pet owners should be aware and prepared for such situations "before" they become a dog/cat owner! No excuses.
Joyce March 21st, 2007 02:13:00 AM
Well, it's almost as bad as getting:
My child has been running a fever since such-n-such time. What should I do?
My BP is 180/120, what should I do?
Blah, blah, blah.
My response to a lot of those types of questions (like the one responder who wrote about asking 'What did the vet say?') is: And your appointment with your doctor is when?
Most people don't like that response. So they repeat the same question. And get the same answer, with a corollary of what might help them overnight and such, but with the statement again that they need to see their doctor ASAP.
Della, RPh
Della April 3rd, 2007 09:27:00 PM
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