My Clients …

I have written on numerous occasions on ailments and different conditions that I have seen in my patients over the years. This week, however, I thought that it might be good idea to write about some of my strangest experiences with their owners.{{more}}

There is never a dull moment in my everyday practice, especially since pet owners are generally from all walks of life and of varying ages and backgrounds.

Quite a few years ago, when I was working as a veterinarian in the government service, I went on a farm visit to see some farm animals. I treated the sick animal and the farmer took me on a tour of the farm. I gave what advice I could on good animal husbandry practices etc. and then as I was about to leave, the farmer left me for a moment to close one of the pens that was left open. Next to where I was standing, I noticed a small barn-like building with the door open. Thinking that it was his storeroom for feed, I decided to look at the condition in which the feed was stored. What I saw caught me quite unawares. Stacked neatly, on orderly rows of sticks, was what I first thought to be tobacco; but then reality hit me – they were marijuana leaves in the process of being dried! Quite a bit of it! I made an about turn with the intention of getting out as quickly as possible, and came face to face with the farmer. He was looking at me and I could see the concern in his face. I quickly blurted out, “Didn’t know that you were a tobacco farmer.” I noticed his facial expression softening and he shrugged his shoulder and said in a soft voice, “A man’s got to live you know.”

I got into my vehicle, trying to maintain a professional look. I looked in my rear view mirror as I was driving off, and saw him just standing there, looking at me driving off in the distance.

A few months ago, a client brought a sick puppy into the clinic; on examination of the pup, I realized that it was suffering from a parvovirus virus infection. The puppy had never been vaccinated. I explained that the vaccines were normally given firstly when the pup is six weeks of age, followed by monthly shots – a total of three initial vaccines, then a yearly booster. He told me he didn’t believe in vaccinations.

Anyway, I explained to him that parvovirus virus is a deadly virus, and that in order to increase the chances of survival, I would recommend that the puppy be hospitalized and kept on I.V. fluids, among other treatments. He bluntly told me that he could not afford to pay for the treatment and would prefer if I could treat the pup and send it home. I explained to him that if he insisted, I would comply and give it some injections and send it home with some oral rehydration salts for him to administer in the drinking water. I further went on to explain to him that the chances of the puppy surviving would be much less than if we had kept it. Three days later, the client came into the clinic while I was talking to another client and accused me of killing his puppy. He said that I overdosed it, because he saw me giving it three injections. All I could do was to ask him to get out of the clinic. It really would not have made any difference trying to explain to him what I did in such detail again.

A very good friend and client of mine was quite upset with me for a few weeks once. She is one of those people who are always preoccupied with her pets; she always treats them with the love and respect they deserve.

She had a Vincentian parrot named Polly as a pet for about 50 years. What an adorable soul. She spoke quite a few words too – even though the owner had to translate some of them for me. I saw her on countless occasions for varying ailments. What always amused me was that she always allowed her owner to hold her and do almost anything to her. Me, she never allowed me those privileges; she seemed to always want to have my hand for breakfast.

One unfortunate day, Polly died after ailing for a few weeks.

Her owner was devastated. I was surprised to receive an invitation to her funeral a few days later. It may sound somewhat extreme, but to appreciate it you had to have known the bond shared by Polly and her owner for half a century.

I may have been quite busy that day, but it was definitely no excuse for forgetting to attend Polly’s funeral.

For further information, contact: Dr Collin Boyle
Unique Animal Care Co. Ltd.
Tel: 456 4981
Website: www.uniqueanimalcare.com