The best so far.

Re: The best so far.

mariette asselbergs — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 16:51:19 GMT

I had this conversaion with a farmer while doing an LDA operation:

Farmer: So how did you pick up that this one had a twisted gut? The others (my colleagues) thought it was ketosis, or fatty liver or something.

Me:Yes she has ketosis as well and that is connected to this problem. And look she has loads of fat under the skin and in the omentum so her liver is probably also not in the best condition but lets see how she does if this problem is solved now.

Farmer: But wouldn't it get better by itself, if we just left it?

Me: Explaining why not. And to pass the time, explaining how it is not just one clue but looking at everything we can investigating around and in the cow, and combining what we find with our knowledge of how the cow's body works, how while we stand there with our arm in the cows arse our computer upstairs (I mean our grey cells) does the work of combining what we find with what we know, to get focused on what's wrong. I explain how the diagnoses I am most proud of, normally are very unimpressive for the farmer, because he doesn't see what work has been going on in puzzling before coming to the most probable conclusion.

He looks at me and says: Ah I thought you guys were always looking around the cow until you found the sign that told you what it was. So actually it is all just guessing innit? You guys never know something 100%!

Re: The best so far.

Richard Allport — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:52:05 GMT

I once took a call at 2 am which went as follows:

' My dog had an eye operation and now he's collapsed'

' When did he have the operation?'

'Seven years ago'

The patient actually had a gastric torsion, but I never did discover how the eye operation was deemed relevant.

On another occasion I was driving home after evening surgery and happened to come across an RTA involving a patient of mine. As I stopped to attend to the injured dog, the owner said 'That's amazing service, I only rang your emergency number two minutes ago' . Just occasionally vets can be seen as heros!

Richard

Re: The best so far.

Louise6732 — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 18:33:32 GMT

Today I took a call that went as such:

Me 'Veterinary emergency service'
Client 'Oh, are you open?'
Me 'No, we are on emergencies only now until Tuesday'
Client (sounding miffed) 'Oh right, fine' Hung up

10mins later...

Me 'Veterinary emergency service'
Client 'Oh hi, I called earlier, I think this actually is an emergency. I've just bought 2 chickens, we've already got 2, but I bought 2 more, different ones. Well they're trying to fly away and flapping all over the place, and I need to get their wings clipped so they can't fly away'
Me 'Are the birds sick or injured?'
Client 'No, but they're flapping and trying to fly away'
'Well if they're not sick or injured, then it's not an emergency, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait until Tuesday'
'Well they're trying to fly, and if we don't get their wings clipped they will hurt themselves, then it will be an emergency'
'If you absolutely insist on coming down, the consult fee is £81, plus the price of wing clipping'
'Right..... Can I book in for Tuesday please?'

Re: The best so far.

HMC — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:41:11 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

I admit defeat with the boiled egg as well

Wynne

[/quote]

Why did someone rate you 1 star for this post? Is there something I'm missing with the rating system?? I give you 5 stars to compensate!!

Re: The best so far.

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:50:04 GMT

[quote user="CatherineBoden"]

Surely you wouldn't cremate an animal if the owner has no money, you send it home for them to bury?

[/quote]

If the animal is dumped on you, you dont have much choice. I could I guess have a) taken it to the tip or b) back to the pikie camp (same thing really) but a) is illegal and b) probably fatal and both would result in a disciplinary charge if I'd survived b!

[quote user="Sarah Keir"]

Is your time not worth anything?

[/quote]

I think you missed the point there Sarah. Yes I'm mighty pissed off I've wasted my time but in terms of actual cost it is very little and I have satisfied my duty of care.

Re: The best so far.

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:47:33 GMT

I'm getting increasingly grumpy...our system may differ from yours but the attitude doesn't. Just yesterday I had an allergic dog walking through the door, very bad flare up, o requested bill being sent to insurance company. Refused to as insurance company had refused to pay last bill because of unpaid rates and got a very abusive discussion instead. Me being greedy, poor dog, how can I bear looking at it without helping (for free...), you know the lot. My point is: Owner just does her driving license, I can see her walking into their shop, getting into their cars every other day as they are right opposite of my practice (usually sums up to more than 1500 Euros here) - do you really think they will be giving her the license for free????

Re: The best so far.

Rob Loxley — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:29:16 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="robloxley"]that we have developed parts of society with people who are so very sure of their rights but so much less so of their responsibilities.[/quote]

Hmmm.............. pots, kettles?

[/quote]

It's about balance, our responsibilities towards the animals in our care but balanced against their owner's responsibilities. Maybe I'm a bit grumpy as the current economic climate is increasing the financial pressures on everyone, but it's the expectation of free veterinary care (be that from charities or practices that see their animals in emergency situations) and the fact so many are well aware of how to play the system.

Re: The best so far.

Clive Ansell — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:35:22 GMT

I once did a locum for an old vet in Scotland, now retired I think, who used to keep bodies in the freezer and if the bill remained unpaid he would write and ask them to collect it or it would be left on their doorstep. Not sure if he ever did or not.

If no money, then PTS and give the body back to the client.

Re: The best so far.

CatherineThomas — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:50:16 GMT

Surely you wouldn't cremate an animal if the owner has no money, you send it home for them to bury?

Re: The best so far.

Sarah Keir — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:43:58 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

it only cost 50p' worth of pentobarb and a cremation charge.

[/quote]

Is your time not worth anything?

Re: The best so far.

Alex Gough — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:39:24 GMT

My old boss post mortemed a parrot on Christmas Day, and the owner then refused to pay the bill. It's the only case he ever took to court, and the judge awarded him full costs.

Re: The best so far.

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:31:18 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

[quote user="Sarah Keir"]

The worst ones are the chavs/travellers with no money and no intention of paying, dog or cat been ill for days and it suddenly becomes an emergency at 1am.

I am beginning to see the benefit of OOH providers!

[/quote]

A practice I locumed in last year had an OOH policy where those with no money just signed the dog over for PTS, no full on consultation or discussion; no money = no treatment = pts = end of. They had one when I was there; collapsed SBT at 0200, no money so PTS, and the next morning they phoned and requested individual cremation and had the cash waiting! - they were made to pay for an OOH consult and pts before doing so, and they paid it.

[/quote]

We have a big problem with the travellers/gypsies here. Generally they take a hike whe I tell them they have to pay, the women usually have no money but occasionally the the men will reluctantly peel a couple of notes off the roll of £50 notes they have in their pockets! However with seriously sick animals where they won't /cant' pay and I feel the need to follow my duty of care I have been known to follow the no money=no treatment=pts routine. It still leaves me feeling exploited but it only cost 50p' worth of pentobarb and a cremation charge.

Re: The best so far.

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:23:07 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

Boxing day 2008, clipped a cockatiels nails for £122.50 in an ooh clinic. I was really annoyed, we were snowed under with real emergencies and the usual post christmas pts's and some jack arse nurse booked in a nail clip as an emergency as clients wanted it done! - idiots!

[/quote]

Reminds me of when I was an assistant (OK so a long time ago!) a dog with a very demanding owner turned up to the Chistmas day emergency clinic to have sutures removed from a cut ear. The only suture removing device available was a scalpel blade with a hook on it. You guessed it - as I took the last stitch out the dog shook its head and the blade sliced the pinna open. Result: blood everywhere, one even more pissed off owner and a GA/re-suture at no charge.

Re: The best so far.

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:10:56 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]that we have developed parts of society with people who are so very sure of their rights but so much less so of their responsibilities.[/quote]

Hmmm.............. pots, kettles? Well, maybe not yet quite.

Re: The best so far.

Rob Loxley — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:07:50 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]It is fair enough, people cannot expect veterinary OOH care for nothing, as owners they have a responsibility to be able to provide the funds needed..[/quote]

I think back to the recent riots and the sentiment expressed by many that we have developed parts of society with people who are so very sure of their rights but so much less so of their responsibilities.
It would really be good to see the RCVS/GtPC recognise and support us in that the primary responsibilty to look after/treat animals lies with their owners; maybe at the same time those airborne pigs appear...

Re: The best so far.

Robin Grimmer — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:40:28 GMT

I agree. These sort of clients will get away with paying at any opportunity because they think they can get away with it. It's a shame that the animals have to be euthanased, but any guilt should lie with the owners for not providing for their animals, not with the professionals ie us who have the dirty job to do. And PTS in these cases is in accordance with the GtPC.

I worked for an OOH service and we had to get money up front for procedures. For instance for a Caesarian we would need £500 up front before going ahead. I remember one case where we had a call at 2 am for a Staffie in whelping difficulties. The nurse who took the call said of course she needed to be seen straight away, but when the subject of money was mentioned she got a torrent of abuse. When they turned up I made them apologise to the nurse before I saw the dog. It could have got ugly, but it worked and they backed down and were extremely apologetic! I removed the puppy that was stuck in the birth canal and it was alive; no more pups inside so managed to avoid a Caesarian so in the end a happy situation. But I did get sick of all the confrontations like this doing OOH work so I avoid it where possible.

Re: The best so far.

Clive Ansell — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:27:53 GMT

[quote user="Sarah Keir"]

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]A practice I locumed in last year had an OOH policy where those with no money just signed the dog over for PTS, no full on consultation or discussion; no money = no treatment = pts = end of[/quote]

Poor animals! What about providing first aid? Quite often these people can find the money from somewhere (even if it is just the benefits office/RSPCA).

[/quote]

Poor animals - not really, euthanasia is a perfectly acceptable option to relieve distress or suffering in cases where clients are unable/unwilling to pay for treatment.

The practice in question has got p***ed off with seeing endless cases OOH and not being able to recover fees for treatment. Therefore people are now told OOH if they have no money then it is PTS. It may seem harsh, but usually thet find the money form somewhere, phone a friend etc It is fair enough, people cannot expect veterinary OOH care for nothing, as owners they have a responsibility to be able to provide the funds needed.. Those who maybe eligible are directed towards the PDSA, but they often do not take new cases and reister new clients OOH.

Re: The best so far.

Sarah Keir — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:04:46 GMT

Poor animals! What about providing first aid? Quite often these people can find the money from somewhere (even if it is just the benefits office/RSPCA).

Re: The best so far.

Clive Ansell — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:27:53 GMT

[quote user="Sarah Keir"]

The worst ones are the chavs/travellers with no money and no intention of paying, dog or cat been ill for days and it suddenly becomes an emergency at 1am.

I am beginning to see the benefit of OOH providers!

[/quote]

Re: The best so far.

Sarah Keir — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:19:40 GMT

I can't beat the boiled egg one but....

About 2 weeks ago 10:30pm on a Monday night I had a lady ring me - her cat had brought in a bird and it was injured, she didn't know what to do, it was her first cat. She didn't want to put it in a box and bring it to us in the morning as she had to leave for work at 6am. In the end she paid the large OOH emergency fee for me to look at the bird and put in a box out the back until the next morning when I released it in the practice garden and it flew away!!!

The worst ones are the chavs/travellers with no money and no intention of paying, dog or cat been ill for days and it suddenly becomes an emergency at 1am.

I am beginning to see the benefit of OOH providers!

Re: The best so far.

Clive Ansell — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:29:04 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]

Nine thirty pm, Boxing Day: "My dog's limping and I want some tablets..."

Me: "Blah, blah... and how long has he been limping?"

Them: "About six years..."

[/quote]

Re: The best so far.

Gerry Henry — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:19:44 GMT

[quote user="Judith Joyce"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Well done Henry.[/quote]

It's Captain Henry to you. Gerry to his friends.

[/quote]

Trust you!

Re: The best so far.

Julian Earl — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:43:07 GMT

I can't beat boiled eggs either (see what I did there? :-) ) but we must all have had them:

Quarter past midnight: "I've just sprayed my dog for fleas ten minutes ago and he hasn't stopped scratching yet..."

And

Nine thirty pm, Boxing Day: "My dog's limping and I want some tablets..."

Me: "Blah, blah... and how long has he been limping?"

Them: "About six years..."

Re: The best so far.

J G Wray — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:37:14 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"] once had a 0200 call form an hysterical woman who wanted to make her SBT vomit because he had swallowed her contraceptive pills. I explained they were fairly harmless and the foil wrapping would do mre damage than the pills (dog was fine). She stopped me mid sentence and said "no, no, no you don't understand. I need the pills back because my man is coming home tomorrow" I suggested she seek advise on alternate contraception from her gp or local clinic. [/quote]

Mark Hallam tells a story of how he was called from his bed on a dark and stormy night by a client whose dog had swallowed a condom. He tells how he got out of the front door when he heard the phone ringing again and debated whether to go back inside or let his missus answer. he went back in and it was the same client

"Don't worry, we've found another one!"

JGW

Re: The best so far.

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:17:32 GMT

[quote user="Judith Joyce"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Well done Henry.[/quote]

It's Captain Henry to you. Gerry to his friends.

[/quote]

Whoops. Thats what comes of having a Christian name for your surname!