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Anyone else tired of the questions that are being asked?? I have come across many that say they can't afford x, y or z (why didn't you think of finances before you took in a cat or dog?). Their cat is severely injured but they don't know what to do (hmm...take it to the vet). Letting intact animals roam free and wonder if the cat is pregnant...probably...oh and I can't afford an exam...What the???
What is going on with people?? Why can't they understand that animals are like children..we need food, love, attention, and yes...medical care when we are sick or injured. Get a clue people. Just because you find a "stray" on the street doesn't mean you can keep it or should keep it. Most likely it needs medical care and if you can't afford the basic necessities of life then what makes you think you can afford an emergency situation?
Mom has to deal with these types of people on a daily basis at work. Their animal is injured and they can't afford emergency treatment. Then they get angry at the hospital staff because they can't treat the patient. Well sorry, but her company would go out of business if they treated every animal for free. And before any of you start saying that her practice must be filled with heartless humans, think again...many of the animals that can't be treated because of finances are relinquished to her practice (if they have a "fixable" problem). This costs money to feed and house these animals, as well as treat their presenting problems, while taking away precious nursing care to the critically ill patients that are there (and their paying parents). Along with that, they have to start searching for a suitable home for this patient. This takes time and energy as many of you know.
Her doctors also "give away" their services for free or at a discounted rate to special cases. On Friday, the Critical Care Specialist decided to perform exploratory surgery on a 4 year old cat...for free...because the owner had no money and the cat belonged to his 8 year old son. Sure he tugged at her heart strings (she has 2 girls under 5 years of age) but never expected her to do that. In fact, he came in to euthanize the cat due to finances. She couldn't let him do that to such a young cat with a completely fixable problem (intestinal foreign body). The cat went to surgery and has since recovered. Likely went home today instead of crossing the bridge. Just think if they had to do this for every patient. They couldn't afford to stay in business (there are bills to pay...electricity, water, wages, equipment, supplies, pharmacy items, etc.).
So, the next time you are going to ask a question think first. The next time you want to have kittens, just because, think first. The next time you want to get a new puppy or kitten, think first. Can I afford it if it gets sick. If the answer is no...don't get that new animal. Don't let your cat get pregnant if you have no money to take it to the vet. Kittens are expensive. Don't ask a question that requires a vet to examine your animal and don't wait for answers if your animal is in an emergency situation (breathing difficulties, bleeding, etc.).
My rant is over and I feel A BIT better!
Mom has had a bad couple of weeks. I feel bad for her. This week she has been extremely sick and only managed to come out of bed yesterday...she had to go to work because there was no one to cover her shift. I could tell she felt awful but she made it through the day (as usual) and came home and took care of her family. I really do love her even if I act bratty towards her on most days.
Last week she had one extremely bad day. On Thursday, her first patient of the day, was at the hospital for a routine recheck exam. A healthy 8 year old male kitty who had lost some weight while the owner was on vacation. Mom went in to the exam room and took vitals on him...all the while he was purring away. The doctor went in afterward and did her physical exam. It was completely normal except for a slight murmur that she had never heard before. They decided that they should take his blood pressure, get a blood panel with urine and take some chest films. They brought him back and mom got the Doppler ready for blood pressure reading. The kitty was purring and getting petted by another nurse while mom gathered all of the supplies. When they went to shave his fur for the blood pressure reading, he got distressed and collapsed. Immediately his heart stopped and they performed CPR for 20 minutes. He was defibrillated 3 times, unsuccessfully. After the 20 minutes, they pronounced him dead. It was devastating to the owner, who was merely there with a healthy cat, so she thought. It was also devastating for the entire staff of the hospital (mom and doctor mostly because it was their patient) because they couldn't understand what had happened. It was later determined that he most likely died of a blood clot or a heart attack (the later is more likely due to the new murmur that was found on exam).
Mom's day was not god after that. It's hard enough to be cheerful when you are dealing with sick animals on a daily basis but after something so shocking, it really is hard to put on a smiling face for the next client. But the day went on and mom made it through (as usual). Then she came home and took care of her family. I do love mom and wish she didn't have such stressful days. Maybe I'll be extra nice to her this week.
Mom brought home a grumpy old man. He won't really let me get too close but I have been able to sneak up behind him to give him a few sniffs (I don't think he can hear very well). What I don't understand is why he's allowed to have this good smelling canned food and I'm not. Mom says it something about me being too fat and the canned food packed on the pounds rather than taking them off...I don't know what fat means but I want the canned food darn it!
I hope he stops growling at me soon because I just want to chase him around the house without getting him mad at me. He may be a little grumpy because he recently had to give some blood to help heal an old diabetic kitties eye (yes I said blood). He's supposed to be retired like me but someone at mom's work didn't get the memo....
Anyway, if you can, stop by and say hi to my new fur brother, Harold...maybe even give him a few treats!
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