What do I write about?
This is a column removing the facade that I have all the answers. In my 36 years as a practicing veterinarian I may at various times have been described as aloof, overbearing, prejudicial, uninterested, bored, brilliant, opinionated, questioning or probing. There have been questions about my parentage, timing of birth (prior to or after the wedding vows) and how I measure up to a group of inanimate rocks in a wooden container. There are some questions people ask which exceed limits of incredibility. I know I still have the passion to continue giving full attention to clients that love their pets. If you have the opportunity to listen (really listen) to what a client is telling you while my training observations, examination findings and diagnostic test are reveling sometimes the complete opposite. You understand "fatigue" factor.
Do I write about a case I saw Friday Jan 9, 2009? I had a 17 week old Golden Retriever puppy come in a day early because she was "shaking" and lethargic during the day. I will give the pup a letter name "Z" to protect confidentiality. Z had vomited up her supper last night, just one episode. She previously had a urinary tract infection. This is common and resolved with antibiotics. This pup was confirmed renal failure by blood chemistries. There was no known toxin ingestion. Due to time of day and potential for 10 day extended IV fluids I referred this case to Dr Robert Fulton at the Animal Emergency Clinic in Ann Arbor for Ultrasound, radiographs and confirming blood test. Both kidneys were found to have a "cyst" and the centers (medullas) were completely wiped out. This was a congenital / developmental issue. Z was put to sleep due to an intractable situation. The owners are exceptional people. They have other dogs and cats. I personally know the anguish one goes through making the decision for "option E". What can you tell someone when the pet they chose and love was born with only enough kidneys to make it to seventeen weeks? I don't have the answer.
Do I write about the client that brings a very sick pet in prior to the holidays? The exam and treatment is requested to "keep it going until child X gets home from college." I treat the pet with what will help it. IV or subcutaneous fluids, caloric boost to diet and what ever amount of comfort care and pain medication needed. I really don't have an answer as one size does not fit all cases or circumstances.
Do I write about the client that schedules euthanasia just prior to a holiday? The pet needs to have a medical reason in my humble opinion. I realize elder pets can not handle crowds, are crotchety, and may bite the grandchildren. It sometimes takes away the milk of human kindness. I really wish I had an answer to this scenario. I do not feel warm and fuzzy after one of these.
Do I write about the client that inherited a pet due recent parental death?
Do I write about the need to put to sleep an emaciated pet from a parent that died years ago? I really do not enjoy being the person that severs the remaining memory link to Mom or Dad. I love pressure. I wish there was an answer.
Do I write about the cat that swallowed the nickel? This cat played with shinny coins would flip them in the air and catch it. The surgery made the nickel "worth" close to a thousand dollars. Cat recovered fine. The wife recently died of breast cancer.
Do I write about the uncanny feeling I get when explaining the cat's surgery showed a bowel obstruction clinically resembling a "lymphoma" (cancerous mass)? Oh I am sorry that feeling came when the widow said "my husband just died of that."
Do I write about the love and devotion our pets daily freely give to us?
Do I write about the follow up barium radiographs I will be doing in the morning? Sixteen hours after barium given via stomach tube I will be looking gleefully for a foreign body. The other alternative is some variation of pyloric stomach cancer. Did I write about the strength of the love bond this owner has to and from her loved pet?
Did I write about the humbleness I feel when clients and friends entrust their loved pets to my care? Did I write about how crushing and devastating it is when a perceived positive outcome turns to a soft brown substance in your hand?
For more information about a specific case, consult your veterinarian.
Mike Sweet, DVM