Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Tim Cheyne — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:36:43 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

The opposite 'why I do not want to be a farm vet' - I had made a decision many years ago that when I came back from a calving feeling as fed up as I went to them I would stop farm work. 2am freezing cold morning - grumpy farmer, poor light no help - miles away from home. Came back feeling as bad as I went despite successful outcome - gave up farm work - miss it sometimes but not often!!!

[/quote]

After several years in mixed practice and a stint as a Lecturer in Pathology, I travelled to several developing countries investigating the animal health problems and setting up or improving diagnostic laboratories and was often asked "Do you regret leaving practice?". Invariably I answered "Not greatly, but I do sometimes miss the large animal obstetrics; the satisfaction of delivering a live calf."

Several years later I was living on and responsible for a 1,000 head Holstein-Friesian dairy herd and, oh boy, did I have the obstetrics I craved! But it was so very different to UK farm practice. Called by the night attendant, a gentle stroll on a warm night to the unit; check the cow, "Not quite ready. I'll come back in an hour"; sit in the office with paperwork or a cup tea; stroll back in time to see the cow busily licking and cleaning a wobbly new-born calf. No agonising decision,"Do I wait and waste time, extract the calf or do a caesarian, even though I feel it is not quite ready?"

The late Eddie Straiton had it right - go to the pub and play a game of dominoes - but unfortunately that is not feasible in present day practice. I was lucky in that for me it was (apart from the pub!).

Yes, I am glad that I became a vet.

Tim.[

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Bob Russell — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:27:18 GMT

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Bob Russell — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:23:02 GMT

Back to the noxious substances part of the post!

Pus from Guinea Pig abscess - straight at our head nurses face and hair. I had just told her that pus in G Pigs was usually thick!!!

Spent the next few minutes looking at the other nurse trying not to burst out laughing - we failed miserably. Bl**dy marvelous!!!!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Noweia — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:59:57 GMT

Yeah - I went in laterally as the gash ran down one side - and flushed a load out. The internal damage runs from his tongue down into the start of the mediastinum! I have warned the owners RE splinters being left - fingers crossed! He went home today :)

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Andy Moores — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:41:15 GMT

Hi Laura, cool case but just a word of caution -cervical stick injuries such as this one often result in splinters of wood being left in the neck, and of course bacteria, which together can go on to cause cervical absecessation. Early exploration and lavage (via a ventral midline approach to the neck) would be appropriate. Best wishes, Andy

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Vikki Moran — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:57:59 GMT

WOW!!

I'm not really feeling joygful at being a vet at the moment, though it's not the job, it's the politics.

I am currently handrearing a really nice little puppy, which i wouldn't be doing were it not for the job, so I guess that makes me glad to be a vet, plus i'm going to keep him!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Noweia — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:01:12 GMT

...Because today I had a really interesting case.

4 inches into a tongue laceration in a dog, stretching down into its neck and beyond, I managed to find this!

The stick was almost 6 inches, and thicker than my thumb. Measuring it against the dog, it must have been very close to puncturing the pleural space. Dog has recovered well from anaesthetic and should hopefully go home tomorrow!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Derek Lyon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:47:30 GMT

My wife always knew when I returned home from a calving/caeser....(why are they always at 1am I wonder)... whether or not we got a live calf....she could see it in my behaviour and the speed with which I got off to sleep before the phone rang again...and it did! There was no better feeling than delivering a live one or twins! Although some 12 years since my last calving I miss them loads. My wife does not though as no more dirty clothes and calving aprons to wash!!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Tim Cheyne — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:55:35 GMT

[quote user="Mike Martin"]

Because, when on holidays back in Ireland, I got recruited by the brother-in-law to help calf a cow. Gosh I haven't done that for 20 years....time flies. I really did enjoy many aspects of LA practice, it brings back memories of those James Herriott experiences. Cow and calf are well. But my summer shorts and t-shirt were binned after being faeces-stained.

[/quote]

I agree, Mike; there is a real buzz of satisfaction in delivering a live calf, something that never left me in ten years as resident vet on a large Middle Eastern dairy farm. Of course it was very different to LA practice in UK; plenty of time to be patient, well-trained, obedient, helpful staff, good facilities, but it never became 'just routine' and it was still great to hear that new-born give its first cry.

Tim.

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Rudolph — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:09:46 GMT

... The office is piled high with biscuits, chocolates, wine and candles and the waiting room is decorated with Christmas cards that are arriving in the post daily from happy clients and their pets.

Despite what the press would have us believe, we must be doing something right!

Happy vet, happy clients, happy Christmas!!!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Mike Martin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:14:31 GMT

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Noweia — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:53:02 GMT

Because yesterday I told an owner that the mammary mass on her dog was a lipoma and she was so relieved and happy she burst into tears and danced about the waiting room!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Alex Gough — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:48:04 GMT

Thanks Martin. I appreciate it, and everyone else who has sent supportive messages.

Well I never became a star in farm animal work - my first job in large animal work turned my bosses prematurely grey and made me realise I was better as a small animal vet!

Alex

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Martin Jones — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:08:26 GMT

Chin up, Alex. It's all tomorrow's chip papers (and next week's bog roll)

Remember the farm animal medicine rotation at Cambridge? What fun. Had we but known what a star you'd become, I'd have given you a better mark............

Yesterday I got to tell an old lady that the suspected osteosarc in her greyhound was actually completely benign - after three weeks of decalcifying in the path lab. I think the waiting was slowly killing us all.

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Alex Gough — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:32:04 GMT

Because with very few exceptions, the veterinary profession is amazingly supportive when times are tough.

alex

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Andy Moores — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:15:02 GMT

Like you will ever need to worry about the waistline!

Andy

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Laurence Webb — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:49:23 GMT

It's now an empty box, and I feel a little sick

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Laurence Webb — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:21:31 GMT

Because a grateful client has brough in a big box of cakes, doughnuts and iced buns, and I don't care about my waistline!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:11:13 GMT

Last nights dog, which came in with neurological symptoms after chewing some lead flashings which the builders had left lying around, has now gone home better

Wynne

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:51:16 GMT

Tell us more!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:44:40 GMT

Because last night I saved a life

Wynne

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Mike Martin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:02:07 GMT

Because I saw the emergency yesterday with no fuss, no delay, and the necessary tests and treatment done and sorted the problem and discharged today. Dog is happy and a lovely waggy tail. So I'm happy, feel good and my conscious is clear.

In contrast, I could not have been a medic !! A&E takes forever. Hard to get GP appointments. Precriptions take days to turn around. Compared to other professions, trades and jobs.................... I think we vets to a great job.

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

scarlet — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:11:40 GMT

because today a young man who had been homeless and unemployed for 2yrs had just got his first pay packet and he came me to get his beloved cats started on a new course of vaccines and a check up because they were what he cares most for and he'd been really upset he couldnt do the best for them whilst unemployed. really really nice cats as well. we all got a little choked up......... wish we saw that every day.

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:59:43 GMT

......I get to be my own boss, so have Mondays off! Go Andy!!!

Re: Today, I'm glad I became a vet because ...

Hanna Bennett — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:15:23 GMT

when the clients whose 2 yr old labrador i put to sleep with congenital renal failure after treating her for almost all her life wrote me the most lovely card then brought their new puppy to meet me - triumph of hope over experience i guess.