Vet Times

Tag: Dogs

  • To cut is to cure

    To cut is to cure

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    I always liked operating, partly because it was a change from consulting – I could step back somewhat from the thoughtful, sympathetic good listener I was in the consult room, and become the more relaxed, swearier and singier person I was when spaying a cat; and partly because it was… well, it was amazing. Every…

  • Brachycephalic syndrome

    Brachycephalic syndrome

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    The pug, shih-tzu and chihuahua are all breeds vets would describe as brachycephalic. This means their noses are proportionally shorter than the rest of their head – a far cry from their ancestors that would have these in about a 1:1 ratio. A lot of people find the large, puppy-dog eyes and wrinkly face charming…

  • First time for everything

    First time for everything

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    I’ve been lucky enough to not, until very recently, have a patient die on the operating table. Nothing quite prepares you for what you experience in that moment you realise the animal is crashing. We had CPR training at uni, we run through the practice crash box to refresh everyone of what’s in it, and…

  • The client from hell

    The client from hell

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    “Never work with children or animals,” advised WC Fields – I think I’d be inclined to add “the public” to that. While, on the whole, my client interactions have been good, every now and then you do get the occasional nutter. I’ve had drunk clients, barely able to stand up, let alone comprehend their half-bald…

  • Managing owners of farm pets

    Managing owners of farm pets

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    Farm vetting is incredibly multifaceted. Outside perception of our work can be a little skewed by unhelpful stereotypes of gruff farmers with tight purse strings and no emotional investment in their animals. This is not generally my experience, yet the stereotype prevails, which is possibly why it may come as a shock to some that…

  • The waiting room

    The waiting room

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    I recently had some “car trouble”. My heart sinks whenever this happens – not only because of the expense, or the hassle, or the stress, but because it means, yet again, I have to visit a mechanic. Despite my XY chromosomal status, I may be missing something important genetically, because I am not what you…

  • Don’t tar all dogs with the same brush

    Don’t tar all dogs with the same brush

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    Pit bulls, mastiffs and German shepherds are some of the breeds regarded by many as being aggressive and dangerous. In the same way some dogs are best known for shedding on beloved white furniture or having deep, dreamy puppy dog eyes, these breeds have an established reputation as dogs to be feared and not raised…

  • Pedigree prejudice?

    Pedigree prejudice?

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    The decision of whether or not to get a new pet is an important one, but the decision of where to get it from might be more important. Volunteering for two weeks this Christmas at a cattery has really made me believe we, as a society, need to undergo a significant evolution in terms of…

  • Hollie: a cautionary tale

    Hollie: a cautionary tale

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    “For Hollie, my soulmate, my daemon, my constant shadow”   I saw this today – words I had written elsewhere, but forgotten about – and the stoic face I had worn for the past few months melted away. Hollie died in October and I have been in a strange state of denial, relief and grieving…

  • What’s in a name?

    What’s in a name?

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    We put a great deal of thought into naming our pets. We want something that will suit them – be that their breed, colour or personality – but it can be difficult to come up with something suitable, especially if they’re young kittens or puppies and you aren’t sure what they’ll look like in adulthood.…