Passing Tramp Syndrome

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:07:16 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Doubt she will be back.[/quote]

She might. I once had a fool of a client who didn't give the dog the supplied antibiotic tablets because he "didn't see the point", but said he would send them to his daughter in case they came in handy. I told him that what he proposed was "illegal, irresponsible and immoral" and he stomped off. Yet he was back two weeks later acting nice as pie.

[/quote] This is likely only to be a temporary reprieve, IME leopards don't change their spots and these types will be back complaining about or not complying with something else. You either accept them as they are and try not to get stressed by it, after all it is not your problem in the end or, if you want a quiet life, wash your hands of them.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Bob Russell — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:15:47 GMT

I don't plan to antagonise further as it is the husband that normally beings the pets in and I have a sneaky feeling he may be back (under her radar!). He has always appeared to be very sensible (except perhaps in the choice of wife! (meow smiley if we had one)

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:37:05 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Doubt she will be back.[/quote]

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:01:40 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Doubt she will be back. Sometimes I actually do like being my own boss![/quote] I doubt she will and I doubt you will want her back. It may be worth the added satisfaction of writing to her and telling her not to darken you doors again because you can't work with people who won't take your advice, although she may never intend to return it will really get her because you've taken the initiative and take the decision out of her hands.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Bob Russell — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:42:03 GMT

Ass-wipe of last week for me was a client that refused to worm their new puppy. The stronghold I supplied went in the bin (apparently).

Refused any form of chemicals because she would not be able to touch the dog for weeks. I warned her of the risks of toxacariasis both to puppy and owner. 'None of my dogs have worms' response.

We have a client, blind in one eye thanks to T.canis and I made her aware of it. Her reply when I let her know many of the affected people are young children, 'I don't have any children'. I knew I had lost my temper when I let her know 'but I do!'.

I made it clear I considered failure to worm young puppies was irresponsible, she went off in a huff!

Doubt she will be back. Sometimes I actually do like being my own boss!

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:46:20 GMT

As I've often said in the past-this would be the best job in the world-if only we could get shot of the clients As for Passing Tramp Syndrome-I like it

Anon 1 Kick something inert-like a cushion-and imagine it's various painful bits of the owners anatomy

Anon 2 Please get help-and we're all of us here wishing you the very best

Wynne

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

james herriot lied — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:53:53 GMT

Well done, Robin. That was literally a textbook description of how one should work up a PUPD of unknown origin. I fear it may have missed the point, though: I'm not sure the discussion was about how to approach these things, but rather the stress of ungrateful clients.

We're all of us, even idiots like me, real vets you know.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Robin Grimmer — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 17:52:29 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]

Don't agree with Mr Grimmer's comment. Automaton responses to clinical problems in the ignorance of clinical acumen and judgement will get you nowhere apart from richer. This reaching for the blood tube without listening to the narrative or clinical exam is worrying and actually goes against true best practice (although not best profiteering practice)

[/quote]

I disagree. I think polyuria/polydispia cases are ones you have to work up thoroughly and in a step-by-step process. I usually start with a urine sample, and get owners to measure fluid intake so you have some idea of the polydipsia. Then I do an extended biochem/haem (most labs have a 'pupd profile) which includes, electrolytes, calcium etc. If that's negative you need to an ACTH stim test if appropriate and only when Cushing's is ruled out do a water deprivation test. I don't think you can presume a case of pyschogenic polydipsia. Sure, a young nervous border collie might be a likely candidate. I had a 12 week old dobermann puppy with pupd. Appetite good, good body condition. Urinalysis showed an SG of 1.006 but bloods showed azotaemia and a non-regenerative anaemia. So good job I didn't miss out the bloods.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:15:59 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]I am sure Arlo can come up with a bright idea [/quote]

The best I can think of is to ask users of the anon account to sign any of their posts within a specific thread with a unique anonymous name, like a user name.Or simply check whether others have already posted anon, and call themselves anon2, anon3, anon4 accordingly.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Bob Russell — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 07:46:21 GMT

I would agree that it might be helpful to be able to customise Anon a bit. I am sure Arlo can come up with a bright idea but good that now clarified anyway!

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Lorna McHardy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 20:36:12 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

I must say was I surprised that the tone of the anon posts changed so drastically.

[/quote]

Phew. And there I was kicking myself for having misread the original OP and got the tone of response all wrong! Anon 1, thank you for clarifying, hope the wine was good. Anon 2... talk to somebody. Please.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:49:24 GMT

I must say was I surprised that the tone of the anon posts changed so drastically. This anon business is so confusing - Arlo surely there is a way for people who wish to remain anonymous to create an alter ego which doesn't identify them but does differentiate them from other anons.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

An On MRCVS — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:42:36 GMT

Erm, it's probably reasonable to say at this point that I was the OP, but am not the same anon who posted later in the thread. Mainly, I felt a bit peeved and posted on here, which helped enormously. I certainly haven't been overly affected by the pair of dullards described in my story.

Excellent advice given subsequently, though. As with many of us, there but for the grace go I.......

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Bob Russell — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:29:33 GMT

[quote user="Malcolm Ness"]

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]The thing is I end up curled up in a ball sweating and sobbing all night. Nobody helps I've spoken to the doctor, a psychologist, vet helpline (useless if interested) the only advice I get is " Don't let it get to you" ... I wish I had thought of that. Not the sort of thing you would expect from a man in his early forties and 16 years graduated.[/quote]

Why not make contact with any of the people who have joined this thread - PM then phone call. Like Bob (and no doubt many others) I have been there and I can confirm that "manning up" and keeping things to yourself didn't work for me. Find somebody to talk to.

[/quote]

I am sure any of us would be happy if you contacted us in this way. We are only experts because we have been there. If your GP isn't helpful make an appointment with another GP at the practice.

My 'saviour' was a wonderful lady from RELATE who allowed me to talk about absolutely anything and I would give a lot to have her in a shed at the bottom of the garden for me to unburden to! My next door neighbour (a GP) posted this on Facebook

Sorry cannot get it to fit properly!

Ed's note - done it for you!

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Malcolm Ness — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:57:37 GMT

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:11:14 GMT

Anon, from your OP it sounded as though you were miffed with this client but had the situation under control but this post sounds as though you are having serious problems not only with this but other aspects of professional life. I'll admit that I'm from the 'get a grip on yourself' school of psychology and as said brush these things off with little more than a second thought. What you must always realise however is that you're not the one who is in the wrong and if there's any anger it should be aimed at the person who made you feel this way. It is important to realise that we all go through exactly the same scenarios every day of our lives. There are times when even I feel things are getting on top of me but I just think of all the positives in my life: my family, my hobby, looking forward to my next ski holiday or whatever, even the grateful clients and the successful case I had yesterday. I said previously that I wouldn't work for a boss that didn't support me (one reason I'm sole charge!) but I also realise that it could be a glib remark because not everyone can just get up and walk out and find another job. Forgive me if I hear a little cry for help but despite my apparent cynicism on all matters I, like everyone else on here, have the same experiences and are here to help so post away we are at least someone to get it off your chest with. If you really do feel that you have a problem with this, not all doctors are disinterested, my daughter suffers from anxiety attacks, depression and has talked about suicide and self harming. Our GP is very helpful even though some of the psychologists and cognitive behaviour specialists have been too formulaic, my daughter has the sense to realise which are beneficial and which are not. I hope none of this is too presumptive but as said the greatest comforter should be that you are not alone we all have to deal with these situations been there, done that got the tee shirt - just keep talking.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Lorna McHardy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:42:54 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

The thing is I end up curled up in a ball sweating and sobbing all night. Nobody helps I've spoken to the doctor, a psychologist, vet helpline (useless if interested) the only advice I get is " Don't let it get to you" ... I wish I had thought of that. Not the sort of thing you would expect from a man in his early forties and 16 years graduated.

[/quote]

Ah, well, that most certainly sounds well beyond "don't let it get to you". It sounds as though you could do with some professional help; and you may need to push for it. Do you have people you can offload onto - friends, family -, or are you trying to be strong and do it all by yourself? Do you do other things, or is being a vet all there is? And when did you last have a proper break?

I have been there, by the way, about 9, 10 years ago. I didn't get professional help (although with hindsight, I should have done), but I was fortunate enough to be able to leave everything behind and start again in a different way. It's not an option open to everyone. Meanwhile, I don't think age or length of graduation has anything to do with it; and whatever you do, do not fall into the "I should be stronger than this I must be doing something wrong" trap... you're not. It's a stressful job, and it affects a lot of us in similarly unpleasant ways.

I wish you the very best of luck in finding a way to deal with this. There will be a way.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Dagmar Steele — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:27:39 GMT

[quote user="patrick murphy"]

I've already booked my table for wine and food tonight, and it's only 2.00pm

[/quote]

I'm leaving in a few hours for a long weekend of nonstop music and good company! And of course there is good food and wine in the mix, too

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

patrick murphy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:08:17 GMT

and don't you like the owners of dead dogs questioning your bill by saying I asked anther vet what he would have charged and it was say 50% of my outrageous attack on his probably maxed out credit card.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

patrick murphy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:53:32 GMT

I've already booked my table for wine and food tonight, and it's only 2.00pm

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:52:24 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

[/quote]

Get a new psychologist if the only advice is not to let it 'get to you'. Honestly. (I'm not a psychologist, but my sister is; there is SO much more to stress management and mental exhaustion.)

Again: I'm not qualified nor competent to give advice on mental health; just that you are NOT NOT NOT alone!!!! When's the last time you had a break from practice?

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

patrick murphy — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:48:19 GMT

now that is worth trolling through all of these e-mails on this forum, just to realise that it is not just me.thanks ......but I am sure that you are still fuming, these things take ages to get the taste out of your mouth.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Bob Russell — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:32:33 GMT

"The thing is I end up curled up in a ball sweating and sobbing all night. Nobody helps I've spoken to the doctor, a psychologist, vet helpline (useless if interested) the only advice I get is " Don't let it get to you" ... I wish I had thought of that. Not the sort of thing you would expect from a man in his early forties and 16 years graduated."

Actually it is the thing I would expect from a man in his early forties! I have known a number (and been) a vet in my forties hitting a crisis! The good news is that it usually gets a damn sight better from there!

It can take such a crisis before you realise that what you are doing is valuable and the occasional w**ker is the down side of dealing with the public. Most clients are fine, the minority are not worth the effort. With age (after 40!) comes wisdom! Until then don't let the bu**ers grind you down.

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

An On MRCVS — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:15:19 GMT

[quote user="Lorna McHardy"]

[quote user="Stephen Courtney"]

Funny how one asswipe can ruin a whole month of feel-good.

All I can say is, sooner than later you will stop thinking about this, it takes me about 3-4 days to lose that sick, angry pointless seething feeling.

But there are a few episodes that, if dwelt on late at night, will always result in me having a sleepless night of toothgrinding and Walter Mitty-ish replays - bad place to go but sometimes it just happens.

[/quote]

Is it really mean to think "I'm SO glad it's not just me"?

[/quote]

Me too,

Re: Passing Tramp Syndrome

Bob Russell — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:11:40 GMT

If anyone doubts the value of VetSurgeon they should read this!

We work under quite relentless pressure (from ourselves and the great unwashed out there). It is a comfort to hear confirmation that we all go through the same things and are far from alone!!

Oh and I hate rabbit spays!