It’s November, when the skies get darker and cold starts to set in. It’s also a month where we celebrate Thanksgiving, recalling that in our history for which we as a people and individuals are grateful. In a change from the normal, I asked the staff at District Vet to tell me a story about a patient or client for which they are thankful. We at District Vet exist because of wonderful clients – and for this we are ever grateful.
Before the stories, an important note: we have seen an uptick in leptospirosis of recent. This disease is a bacterium that is spread in the urine of affected mammals – namely rats, raccoons, opossum, etc. It can cause liver and kidney failure and frequently leads to death. It is a serious concern! Two of our patients have succumbed to it in October and Friendship Hospital has treated many more. Please see the June 2018 Hill Rag for a full article on this disease. If your dog is not vaccinated against leptospirosis, we highly recommend making an appointment to obtain a vaccine.
Now on to more cheerful notes:
I am thankful for the patients who bring a smile to my face. There is no recipe for who this patient is – whether it is a feline friend, happy puppy, senior friend, a tall dog, small dog, you have all had some impact upon my heart. Possibly from tripping over your large puppy feet or maybe when you gave me a moment of trust when everything in you said to run. These small moments become memories and from there on, every time your name comes up on the schedule or you come through our door, you light up my face. These smiles mean the world on a rainy or down day, so thank you for being you … even if you do pee on my feet when you are happy.
I am thankful for a diabetic cat we see and the efforts and love the owner has put forth to ensure his wellbeing. When the cat first came to see us, he was not doing well and was diagnosed with diabetes and other underlying issues. I am so thankful for Dr. Hassell and his patience and willingness to help the cat’s person find a testament plan that would work for both the owner and the cat.
I am thankful for a cat named Moo, a young shorthand tuxedo cat. The first reason I’m thankful for him is that he’s a cat (I am a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady) and I’m partial to tuxedos. Another reason is that he was a healthy, happy surgical patient. Since I’m mostly in surgery here, I spend a lot of time with patients during their day here, and I was so happy to watch Moo. From admittance to discharge, he was so sweet and happy. He wasn’t scared or shy. He had the best time playing with his little blue E-collar post procedure and had formed quite the fan club by the end of the day. In a busy day of procedures and appointments, he provided some comic relief (and stress relief)! There’s nothing better than having a sweet kitten head bump you and be a constant purr machine. So thank you, Moo, for making my day a little brighter and reminding me why I do this job.
More appreciations next month. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. And remember to keep the trash away from your dog.
Dan Teich, DVM, is Medical Director at District Veterinary Hospitals.
