Wise Sayings from A Vet

                         VETERINARY TRUISMS

1.  An estimate, in the mind of the client is an exactimate.

2. The person who feeds tablescraps or overfeeds the pet will not be the person currently in the exam room with you.

3. If a client has to ask their spouse, the pet's treatment will not happen.

4. You will be held accountable for what you say, what you don't say, how you say it, and what the client thinks you said.

5. The client who is late to their appointment will be in a hurry.

6. The additional pet brought to an exam who is "just along for the ride", isn't.

7. An owner who tells you they will be "waiting by the phone for your call", are "easily reached" at the given number, or "always have my cell phone with me", will not.

8. If you tell a client when test results will be ready, you will be wrong.

9. Always double how long someone tells you their pet has been ill.

10. Anyone who is late to their appointment or know you're near to closing will always be "only five minutes away". Corollary: When they say this, assume, at a minimum, they mean football minutes.

11. Clients can relate a problem to anything that was previously done at your clinic regardless of how much time has passed. Example: "(problem: ie tumor, coughing, limping, etc.) has been present ever since (spay, nail trim, boarding, etc.) back last (week, month, year, decade, etc.)."

12. People will always double what they say they spent at the vet's compared to what they actually did.

13. If you are told a pet "doesn't like men", you'll find the truth is it doesn't like anyone.

14. If you have to carry a pet to and/or from a person's car, they will have parked as far from the front door as possible.

15. If the owner is asking if it is ok to give "Substance A" to their pet, they've actually already given it.

16. If you have the most accessible, easy-to-hit, Alaskan pipeline-sized vein, the pet will be the most uncooperative and fractious patient. Conversely, the sweetest, most easily-handled, cooperative pet will have the tiniest, movable, hard-to-find vein to hit.

17. The client will tell you the most valuable piece of information in diagnosing their pet while you are using your stethescope.

18. You will always be told that the poor dog with the smelly, matted, oily, tangled mess of a coat is scheduled for grooming "tomorrow". This will be stated no matter when in the year or how often you see this dog. Also, all of the problems with the dog's coat is not what it will be in for.

19. The word "not" is the most widely client-misheard word in a veterinary setting. Consider the following examples:
What is said: "This problem will come back."
Client hears: "This problem will not come back."
What is said: "Do not allow Bongo to run after surgery."
Client hears: "Do allow Bongo to run after surgery."

20. Client definition of "expensive": It costs something.

21. Scheduling Paradox: It is not important for clients to be on time, only for you to be on time.

22.  There is an inverse relationship between how loudly a client proclaims how well they take care of their pet and how well they actually do.

Acknowledgement

This hilarious post is attributed to Dr Scott. He runs his popular and extremely funny site that is named that is aptly titled  www.funnyvet.com. Quite obviously! This post can be found published at the following link http://funnyvet.com/index.php/just-for-fun/veterinary-truisms hosted at his site.

Well, just in case the good doctor stumbles at my blog....Dr Scott..you rock!  

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  Author unknown...

The doggie knows who is driving

It seems that this dog knows pretty well about the driving skills of his master and the lady. :)

Just kidding !

Is My Dog Overweight ?

The battle of the bulge does not only affect us. It also affects our pets. Just like us, our pets also put on weight due to the following reasons –

·         when they eat more than what is actually required

·         when they lead a sedentary life style - no exercise, no walking, eating and sleeping

Arrgh! this sounds so familiar. Actually, we contribute to their being overweight by feeding them the left overs, by giving in to their silent begging with those soulful eyes even as we chomp away at a  biscuit while having tea!. The fact that the hustle and bustle of our life often does not allow us to take it for walks as much we would have liked also contributes to this weighty problem!

An overweight pet is predisposed to a number of ailments -

·         Digestive Diseases

·         Respiratory Diseases

·         Ailments of the heart

·         Diabetes

·         Musculoskeletal injuries

·         Cancer

The photograph shows silhouette of the pets in various body conditions. Identify, the one that is applicable for your pet and take the remedial action. 

Congratulations to all the owners whose dogs are in top shape. Well, chances are so would you be!  However, those who have dogs that are overweight – there is no reason to despair. The problem can be reversed by instituting a few measures –

·         Take it easy. Slow down. Take your dog for a walk. A long walk with your dog in the morning is  cathartic. It is good for your health as well as of your pooch. Besides it also develops a bonding.

·         Gradually, reduce the diet till it comes back to shape. Please note that an average sedentary dog weighing about 20 kg needs about 500 cal per day. 

·          Do not offer snacks, tid bits in between meals. No, I mean absolutely no snacking.

·         Play some games with it. How about – “fetch me the ball” or “can you catch the flying disc game”?

 Here is wishing you all the best! 

An interesting case - Ingrown nail of the Dewclaw

I was presented with an interesting case yesterday. A smart looking, 03 year old, male Beagle had ingrown nails in dewclaws. In the right hind the nail had become semi circular and had embedded itself in the pad. The pad had become infected due to repeated trauma over a period of time. The left hind had not deteriorated to that extent but in a few days the nail was going to penetrate the pad.  The condition was detected when the dog was observed to be continuously licking the area.

Some deft manouevering of the nail -clipper after identifying the "quick" ensured that there was no bleeding. Luckily, the embedded nail also came out easily though it left behind an open, infected wound. A course of antibiotics and the Beagle would back to normal.

Left Hind (Note the curve of the nail)

Right Hind (Note the curve of the nail) 

A little trimming and the wound becomes visible

After trimming the nail 

Nice to Know

A dewclaw is the un - necessary toe higher up in the leg. It is actually of no use to the dog and is a nuisance as its nail often gets caught in things and clothes thereby damaging the nail. A reputed breeder will normally get it removed when the pup is about 03 days old. It is easy and nearly painless to remove it at this age. Its removal is a complicated procedure (usually done under anaesthesia) when the dog becomes adult. 

However, if not removed, it will grow like the other nails and obviously will require trimming like the other nails. However, unlike the other nails which get worn out normally as the dog runs around chasing adventures, the nail of the dewclaw does not wear out as it does not come in contact with the floor. Hence, it is important to regularly trim it.