My wife is a big drama nut. She loves performing, and minored in drama in college. Maybe I'm partial, but I think she's quite good. We've been in this area for about three years, but she hasn't gotten involved with the local community theater. That is, until now. Earlier this week she auditioned for Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The crazy thing is that she somehow managed to talk me into auditioning as well.When I was a senior in high school I was a co-star in two plays. At the time I thought I was pretty decent and auditioned for a part in a play when I started college. That's when I discovered just how outclassed I really was. Since then I've had parts in various church plays, but have never tried out for anything in local theater. Mostly that's because of a lack of real...
A Vet's Life, Part 3
And here's the last of Lani's questions on what life as a veterinarian is like.What are some of the negative aspects of it? Well, it's pretty rough to have the skills and ability to help a pet, but the clients can't afford it or won't do the treatment. There are lots of clients who willingly don't give their pets the care that they really need, and spend money on grooming rather than heartworm prevention. It's not fun to have to deal with aggressive pets. There is a lot of mental stress because your skills and knowledge are often the difference between life and death for a pet. Managing a business can be difficult, since you have to handle finances rather than medicine, something you don't really get training in.What are the type of animals you typically see other than cats and dogs?Most...
A Vet's Life, Part 2
Here are more of Lani's questions...Do you get the freedom in your job (ie. do you get to be your own boss?) Like the situation with hours, it depends on where you work. If you are working for someone, your freedom is limited, as you have someone else making the decisions as to what you are going to stock, what you are going to charge, and how the practice is going to be run. A good practice owner will listen to your suggestions and may implement them if they are reasonable, but in the end it's their decision, not yours. Owning your own practice definitely gives you complete freedom, but is more business responsibility than most people want. Running your own business is a huge responsibility and just as much of a headache. But for the person with the right skills and personality, it can...
A Vet's Life, Part 1
Lani sends this increasingly common scenario, wanting to more about life as a veterinarian.I came upon your blog a few days ago, and have been reading up on your posts. I am currently in law school, and I have one year left. After going through it, and after having experienced a legal career over the summers, I am no longer sure I want to be a lawyer. There is no freedom in your schedule, it is a very cut and dry atmosphere (there isn't a whole lot of joking around), and most attorneys hate their jobs. I am currently 23, about to be 24, and I am thinking about making a major career change and go to vet school. I have already researched it, and I would have to go back to undergrad for a year to get my second bachelor's degree in science. And then I would have 4 years to get my DVM. I think...
It's A Small World After All
One of the things I love about the Internet is how it can bring together people from various nations and cultures in ways previously unheard of. I have met people from literally every continent except Antarctica without ever leaving my home. There is really no way that I would ever have a chance to meet these people other than through the wonders of computers. My father is originally from Sweden, so I have an interest in learning about other nations and cultures, finding the differences and the similarities curiously fascinating. In this very blog I have interacted with people in numerous countries, and found commonalities that we may have never expected.I bring this up because I added a few gadgets to my sidebar. Scroll down to the bottom of the bar on the right, and you'll see a counter...
Little Land Sharks
Today I read an article in one of my journals that might be surprising to laypeople, but wouldn't be a surprise to anyone in the veterinary field. The title caught my interest."Study: Chihuahuas bite vets most; Lhaso Apsos inflict worst injuries"A study performed in Colorado studied bite statistics and learned some interesting facts. The tendencies of certain breeds to bite was one of the most telling items. Labrador Retrievers were the most likely to bite at 13% of the total. This was followed by Pit Bulls (8.4%), German Shepherds (7.8%), Rottweilers (3.9%), and Chow-Chows (3.5%). Among children the data was similar: Labs (15.6%), Pitt Bulls (7.5%), German Shepherds (6.8%), Chihuahuas (4.2%), and Rottweilers (4.1%). However, just because a dog was likely to bite didn't mean that the...
A Kitty's Mysterious Wrists
Here's one of the most interesting cases I've seen, sent in by Denise. This is the set-up and history.My daughter's kitten, Skeeter who wax 6 pounds the other day at the vet, is 10 mos old, female, not spayed yet. She is from a litter of 8, she was #7. Her and her itsy bitsy sister #8 [both were super tiny] survived with our help and have done very well, very healthy, gorgeous fur, happy and very playful. No problems at all - till now. As for nutrition, free food with Diamond Natural's Kitten food till about two months ago when I switched them to Purina One. About a week-1/2 ago Skeeter started walking with a slight gimp on the front,...
Advice To Wannabe Vets, Part 6
#8: Remember that veterinary medicine is what you do, not who you are.Life balance is one of the biggest issues facing many people, and vets are no exception. We go into this profession knowing that we will work long hours and make a fraction of the salary as our colleagues in the human field. This is our choice, and one driven by compassion and dedication. However, the emotions that push us into the field of animal medicine over human medicine can also lead us to focus more on our job than our lives. Finding that balance is tough, and something that I'm still working on 12 years after graduation. But it's very important, even more so as my kids grow older. If you focus only on your work to the detriment of your private life, you will find yourself burned out and lonely. Go to work...
Advice To Wannabe Vets, Part 5
#5: Study allergies closely.Another issue that comes up on a daily basis is that of allergies. This can be a complicated topic, and rarely has a straight-forward diagnosis or treatment. It's also very frustrating for a vet and a client to deal with, since the goal is treatment, not cure. I have seen way too many vets who rely on steroids as the only treatment, or who ignore allergies as a cause of chronic skin and ear problems. If you can remember how to handle an atopic dog or cat, you will be a better vet and will provide your clients with much better treatment.#6: Remember that any mistakes you make have already been made by someone else.It's hard to consider, but doctors aren't perfect. At some point in their career every single doctor has misdiagnosed something, completely missed...
My apologies....
... for not having posted for quite some time. Suffice it to say that I have been going through a very difficult personal period and that it has been extremely difficult to find the strength to do some of the things I enjoy most, like blogging and painting. I will overcome this. This post is not to garner pity from anyone, but rather to express that, as all of us have experienced at some point, I am trying to overcome an unexpected curve ball that has recently been pitched at me. This difficult period has been exacerbated by the recent euthanasia of my wonderful cat, Isaac, seen in the photo at the top of this page. I had been treating him...
Advice To Wannabe Vets, Part 4
#4: Learn how to do dentistry.I'm not sure how training is in other countries, but here in the US vets really don't receive enough training in dentistry. When I was in school we had a single lesson in dental cleanings, no real lessons in extractions, and a couple of lessons in dental structure at all. I mentor a lot of new graduates and students, and it seems like it hasn't really changed since I graduated. This is a major oversight in veterinary education. In private practice we educate virtually every client on dental care and the consequences of dental disease. We do dental cleanings almost every day, and often multiple times in a day. Extractions are common, and they're not easy to do if you don't know certain methods. I'll readily admit that I hate dental work, and would never...
Tough Decisions & Lucky Breaks
Yesterday I saw a young boxer named Rocky. He came in for very vague signs of acting lethargic, not eating, and not drinking. When I examined him, he was overall in good condition, but obviously didn't feel well. Mysterious malaise usually necessitates running a battery of tests to try and figure out what the problem may or may not be. Unfortunately in this case the owner was a young man with extremely limited funds. The lab tests were $155, and that's with giving him a free office visit as a courtesy. He had an upper limit of $150, and that was with his father chipping in $50 and him not really eating for the rest of the week. So not only could he not afford the recommended tests, but if we did find something wrong he couldn't afford any treatment.That left us with tough decisions....
Advice To Wannabe Vets, Part 3
#3: Never forget the importance of customer service.Veterinary medicine is a service industry, whether or not everyone realizes it. And in a service industry we have to remember how to treat our clients well. If they like you, they will continue to come back and see you. Liking you isn't all about your medical and surgical skills, though this is important. Clients will like you if you're nice to them, compassionate, and treat them well. The question is "how". I tell people to think about times they have gotten great client service. Here are a few of mine.I was at a Tiger Direct Outlet Store in Raleigh doing some minor shopping for computer equipment. As I was leaving, my son asked for some candy from the candy machines at front. I told him that I was sorry, but didn't have any change....
A Problem With Royal Pains
Yes, I know I already blogged for today, but I really need to get this off my chest. So forgive the rant.Tonight I watched an episode of the new USA Network series, Royal Pains (it comes on right after Burn Notice which is my current favorite show). In the episode the main character, a doctor named Hank, is dealing with a mysterious respiratory infection causing pneumonia among members of a household and then party. As he's working on one patient, he picks up her dog and notices that the dog is warm. He then touches the dog's chest and notes a "dull spot". His immediate conclusion is that the dog is the source of the infection, especially once the owner says that her vet has had him on medications for kennel cough. My interest (and skepticism) perked up at that, and I paid closer attention....
Advice To Wannabe Vets, Part 2
#2: Hone your interpersonal skills and communication abilities.My father told me many times that "it's not what you say, it's how you say it." As much as I might have rolled my eyes at his cliches (hi, Dad. I know you're reading this), there was great wisdom in this. I have learned the hard way that you can say the same thing in different ways and have people take it well in one case and poorly in another. The ability to communicate with people effectively is probably the most important skill a vet can have. Yes, even beyond their medical and surgical abilities. When I was in vet school I remember reading a survey of existing practitioners and what they looked for when they hired a new associate. Dead last was "knowledge of the profession". Top of the list? Interpersonal skills.Recently...
Advice To Wannabe Vets, Part 1
Over the years I have mentored several new graduates and veterinary students. My experiences with them has shown me that there are many common issues that people wanting to be veterinarians have to contend with. This week I want to go over a few of these topics and hopefully pass along some useful information to those planning on entering the veterinary profession.#1: Learn business skills.Personally, I think that a basic business course should be required in veterinary school. Some schools have a lesson or two, but it's really not enough. Why is this necessary? Many, if not most veterinarians will end up managing or owning a business. Having skills in and understanding of how economics work and how businesses are run is a great advantage. Recent graduates rarely know how pay scales...
Like Cats And Dogs
We all know the stereotype...fighting like cats and dogs. The idea behind it is that somehow canines and felines are natural mortal enemies. In nature, wild dogs (or wolves) and wild cats rarely come into contact with each other. Both are the top of the food chain, predators with no natural enemies. With our domesticated animals, I believe that the animosity was seen because housecats are about the size of a good prey item and run away nicely, invoking a dog's instinct to chase a moving object. All of that has developed into the current, almost cartoonish hatred that has completely captured society's (and Hollywood's) attention.However, reality...
Secondary Pet Caretakers
We live in a busy society, and many people work when the can and as much as they can to make ends meet. Or maybe some people just find it hard to work their pet into their hectic schedule. In any case, it's not uncommon for someone other than the primary caretaker to bring a pet in for a veterinary visit. This might be spouse, child, grandparent, friend, or anyone else besides the person who normally cares for that pet. All of that is understandable, because at least the pet is coming in. The problem is that this secondary caretaker often doesn't really know what's going on with the pet.With well pets we will generally ask people if they have enough heartworm prevention or flea and tick prevention. We may also ask about any health problems, what kind of food is being fed, and so on....
You Can Only Do So Much
Last month I showed an x-ray of a puppy with a badly broken paw. Unfortunately, we're having difficulties with the client, and it's a tough situation. Here's another view behind the scenes of running a veterinary business.When we first did the services, the bill was over $500. They didn't have that right away, so we worked out with them that they would pay half that day and the remaining half a week later. If they didn't pay the remaining balance they would be sent to our collections department. When the time came they didn't pay, even though we gave them several extra days. Another few weeks later the puppy came in for a recheck and the paw was swollen, the splint was broken, and the whole thing had slipped down a little. We needed to replace the splint, but she didn't have the money...
Do It Yourself
Today I neutered my kitten, Tristan. To me it wasn't a big deal, and was a procedure that took only a minute or two. However, one of my staff questioned whether I would do it myself. That's not the first time someone asked me a question like that. I've neutered most of the cats I've had, and spayed my dog, Guinevere. I would have spayed Inara, but the shelter had done this before I adopted her.This is strange to many people I've worked with over the years, and I can kind of understand it. Seeing your own pet that you know and love under anesthesia can be very strange. This animal that normally plays with or cuddles with you is lying there in a very unconscious state with monitors flashing and beeping. Then you take a scalpel and cut into that beloved companion, removing organs of some...
Spay? Spade? What The Heck?
I sometimes get random, strange thoughts, and today one occurred to me. I have been in veterinary medicine for about 25 years, and have always know that a spay is when you remove the reproductive organs from a female. I've always accepted that and never really thought about it. But today for some reason it suddenly dawned on me that the word didn't make sense. The proper term for the surgery is ovariohysterectomy. Where do you get "spay" out of that word? A castration is called a neuter, and is used only for males. I can understand neuter, as you're kind of changing a male into a neutral. But what about the word spay? Word origins often interest me, so I tried looking it up. The problem is that it still doesn't make sense!Here's what an online etymology dictionary has for "spay":c.1410,...
