Vet Times

Tag: Ocular disorders

  • The ‘many paws’ depriving our pets

    The ‘many paws’ depriving our pets

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    I’ve recently been to a writing group I sometimes go to, because, well, I suppose I am a writer. I’ve never written that before, but I do get paid to write, so I suppose I’m a “professional”, and I do write and get published quite a lot. Now I’m meant to do some stuff with…

  • Logic versus instinct: dealing with temporary ownership of lost pets

    Logic versus instinct: dealing with temporary ownership of lost pets

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    I’m seeing a trend for people rehoming lost pets in “found pets” Facebook groups, with seemingly little effort to trace an owner. An assumption seems to exist the owner has caused the loss or poor state the animal might be in. Having spent long enough in veterinary practices – in particular, charity vets – I…

  • Cat cafes – a pawsitive or negative?

    Cat cafes – a pawsitive or negative?

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    Cat cafes are popping up all over the UK and, while they may seem like a novelty for cat lovers, I had to wonder how ethical these feline havens really are. As vets, we believe cats are inherently solitary animals, and often become stressed when multiple cats are in the same household or when new…

  • A cryonic kitty conundrum

    A cryonic kitty conundrum

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    I’m starting this blog with an apology. I frequently like to use links to other stories to illustrate a point or show where an idea originated from, but, sadly, this time that “read through” is from The Sun. I’m warning you now as I don’t want anyone to click through who doesn’t want to give…

  • Home visits: a window into curious clients

    Home visits: a window into curious clients

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    It is a truth universally acknowledged – people are weird. It’s something that becomes clear within a few days (or even hours) of any job that has significant interaction with that terrifying, unpredictable section of humanity known by the strangely bland collective term “the public”. Actually, it’s pretty clear in almost any job – except…

  • Terms and conditions – are salaries the only bottom line?

    Terms and conditions – are salaries the only bottom line?

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    January can be a busy time in the job market as the new year makes people evaluate their lives and consider making changes, and when it comes to resolutions that actually stick, the plan to change jobs is up there. Whatever the reason may be for moving roles, there is a phrase often peddled to…

  • Confronted by prejudice

    Confronted by prejudice

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    The consultation had been going well. The FLUTD was cured – at least for the moment – and the cat was safely back in its box, presumably experiencing the strange sensation of being relieved to find itself in a carrier. As I wrote the notes, my conversation with the owner – a large, middle-aged woman…

  • If only they could talk

    If only they could talk

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    “It must be so difficult,” the old woman says, as I listen to her cat’s chest. As ever, this puts me in the awkward position of either taking the stethoscope out of my ears and interrupting my clinical exam, or politely ignoring her so I can listen. As usual, I opt for the third, least…

  • On killing

    On killing

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    “It must be the hardest part of your job.” In my early career I would nod solemnly, sigh, and say “yes, it is,” while I thought about the myriad other things about my job I was finding harder than euthanasia: challenging ongoing clinical cases out-of-hours work the stress of responsibility the fear I was blundering…

  • Where is your Eden?

    Where is your Eden?

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    August is a time coined by the newspapers as “silly season” – everyone is on holiday and quality news is thin on the ground. This means unusual news stories that might not otherwise get coverage come to the fore. It’s not been that way in the animal world. There were so many things going on…