Every year from March to July we see an upturn in the number of calls about stray and unwanted kittens. There is nothing cuter in this world than a stumbling, bumbling, curious 6-week-old kitten. That's one reason why we get so many calls and why it's so hard for us to turn stray kittens away. Nevertheless small animal practices can lead themselves to the philanthropic poorhouse if they provide free health care to every stray that comes along.
Sadly, caring for strays is a balance between economics and herd health. There several viral diseases in kittens that are either lifelong, fatal, or both. Most people are familiar with feline leukemia (FeLV) and FIV (feline AIDS). However, just as troublesome are other viruses like herpesvirus (FVR), calicivirus, FIP, and panleukopenia. There is a very accurate test for FeLV and FIV but the other viruses are diagnosed primarily based on clinical signs. All of these diseases can present similarly and carry prognoses from fair to grave. All of these diseases are contagious, making hospitalization and nursing care challenging for the hospital staff and the Good Samaritan who finds the kitten. Often, I'm faced with the choice for which kitten can be saved and which should be euthanized. For me, it's never an easy decision.
The Good Samaritan is almost always a cat lover who already owns several pet cats. Many of these well-intentioned folks either lack the resources to pay for a stray kitten's care or they don't feel ethically responsible beyond dropping the kitten off at a vet. An anonymous caller to my cell phone yesterday morning before office hours offers a typical example:
Me: Hello?
Caller: Is this the vet?
Me: Yes it is, how can I help you?
Caller: I'm not a client of yours, but I have this stray kitten who's come up on my porch...
Me: Yes.
Caller: She has an eye that's hurt really bad and it looks like it's gonna pop out of the socket...
Me: Ooh, o.k. If you'd like to bring it into the office this morning between 8 and 8:30 I'll be happy to take a look at it.
Caller: Well, I don't have any money. You see, I'm on disability and my check doesn't come in until the end of the month.
Me: I see. Well, it certainly sounds like this kitten needs to be seen. Like I said, please come on down between 8 and 8:30 and I'll see what I can do.
Caller: Where are y'all located?
You get the idea... Unfortunately this new client never showed up at the hospital. I hope the kitten ended up getting veterinary care somewhere. The caller did show admirable compassion for the kitten's poor health.
Now I should mention that my hospital's voicemail lists my personal cell phone number, but instructs callers with emergencies (like this obvious case) to call the local emergency clinic right away. The voicemail goes on to say that clients can call my cell phone for urgent matters, but I cannot render medical advice over the phone for animals I have not yet examined. Occasionally strangers call me directly to ask about their sick animals, and there's little I can do but politely listen then ask them to bring the pet into the hospital when we're open.
I'll leave you with the bible parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In this story, Jesus tells of a man who is robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. Several passers by do not stop to help. But a Samaritan sees the man and immediately decides to help him even though Samaritan and Jewish people did not get along. The Samaritan takes the injured man to a safe place and takes care of him. Then he pays the inn keeper to care for the injured man in his absence and offers to reimburse him for any additional expenses when he returns. After telling this parable, Jesus says to his disciples, "'Go and do likewise'."
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Sick Again
Those of you who know me know that I suffer from allergies every spring. I'm also a huge wimp when it comes to being sick. I discovered with our first son Tommy that illness is a way of life with a child in daycare. Now that Huston is also going to daycare I somehow thought I had earned a reprieve. Good theory...
I've never had as many (for the lack of a more descriptive term) boogers as I've had since becoming a dad. I mean, my nose is stuffy pretty much all the time! I've already had one cold this spring (on top of hay fever) and now I'm starting another one. I'm sure Judy can't wait to deal with me this week.
It's interesting that at a time when I am healthier than I've been in two years (I'm lifting weights with a trainer at the Y, taking Yoga twice a week, taking daily vitamins and fish oil, and eating healthier), I'm still getting sick. Almost makes one wonder, "What's the point?" Who knows, maybe I'll kick this thing before it kicks my butt.
***
Wine is becoming my passion. There's a wine shop in Gastonia that's wonderful. The owner and the sommelier are great at finding wines that appeal to my palate. I also love to cook and pair wines with the food. I'll talk more about this in future postings. Particularly when I find good pairings and/or phenomenal wines I've tried.
***
I saw a friend of mine on Saturday who looked like he'd been punched in the face. Before I could stop myself I blurted (yes, literally blurted), "What did you have done to your face???" Apparently he had fat removed from under his eyes and Lasik surgery. I can tell you... immediately post-op he had a sunken, gaunt, bruised appearance. Hopefully over the next few weeks the healing will result in a more youthful visage, but I can't help but wonder if he just had bad plastic surgery. I'll try to remember to update you on this the next time I see him.
***
That's about it. My throat is sore, my body is achy, and I'm basically feeling really sorry for myself. I think I'll head to bed now and try to get a good night's sleep. There's pretty good odds that we'll be up with Huston several times tonight. If we're up then maybe I'll think of more interesting things to write about.
I've never had as many (for the lack of a more descriptive term) boogers as I've had since becoming a dad. I mean, my nose is stuffy pretty much all the time! I've already had one cold this spring (on top of hay fever) and now I'm starting another one. I'm sure Judy can't wait to deal with me this week.
It's interesting that at a time when I am healthier than I've been in two years (I'm lifting weights with a trainer at the Y, taking Yoga twice a week, taking daily vitamins and fish oil, and eating healthier), I'm still getting sick. Almost makes one wonder, "What's the point?" Who knows, maybe I'll kick this thing before it kicks my butt.
***
Wine is becoming my passion. There's a wine shop in Gastonia that's wonderful. The owner and the sommelier are great at finding wines that appeal to my palate. I also love to cook and pair wines with the food. I'll talk more about this in future postings. Particularly when I find good pairings and/or phenomenal wines I've tried.
***
I saw a friend of mine on Saturday who looked like he'd been punched in the face. Before I could stop myself I blurted (yes, literally blurted), "What did you have done to your face???" Apparently he had fat removed from under his eyes and Lasik surgery. I can tell you... immediately post-op he had a sunken, gaunt, bruised appearance. Hopefully over the next few weeks the healing will result in a more youthful visage, but I can't help but wonder if he just had bad plastic surgery. I'll try to remember to update you on this the next time I see him.
***
That's about it. My throat is sore, my body is achy, and I'm basically feeling really sorry for myself. I think I'll head to bed now and try to get a good night's sleep. There's pretty good odds that we'll be up with Huston several times tonight. If we're up then maybe I'll think of more interesting things to write about.
Monday, June 4, 2007
This is my family. They are the most important people in the world to me. As you can imagine, it is sometimes a struggle to balance my personal and professional lives. I am very thankful that most of my clients understand my desire to maintain a balanced life. I feel a great deal of professional and ethical responsibility to my clients and patients. But I also know that my wife and my two little boys need me.
Posts may be hard to come by...
Over the past few days, I've sat at my office computer only to be interrupted by the daily goings on. The hospital is busier than I ever dreamed it would be at this point in its existence. We've only been open for two years!
***
I performed euthanasia for a very sick, older dog on Sunday evening. The family was understandably distraught because this dog was a big part of their household for many years. This family is new to our practice and I never knew this dog in his younger, healthier days. Nevertheless their bond with this dog was easily apparent.
I find it very difficult to answer the question, "What would you do if this was your dog?" Who am I to attach my values to a family I only just met? But this question is exactly what they asked me on Friday night as we discussed the dog's treatment options.
The best analysis I've heard about euthanasia was by my mentor who quoted Emily Dickinson:
"Pain Has An Element Of Blank
Pain has an element of blank;
It cannot recollect
When it began, or if there were
A day when it was not.
It has no future but itself,
Its infinite realms contain
Its past, enlightened to perceive
New periods of pain."
My mentor went on to say that animals have no real sense of time. The pain that they endure is endless until it ends, then there is little memory of what the pain was like. So if a pet's pain cannot be treated and it is seemingly never-ending, for whom are we keeping the pet alive? The fact is that often we are keeping the pet alive for ourselves.
As a veterinarian, I feel that it is my responsibility to act as an advisor to clients (pet owners) as well as an advocate for my patients. Euthanasia literally means "good death." To me, that means dying in peace, pain-free, and with dignity. I respect the wishes of pet owners to treat or not to treat a medical problem, but when I feel a pet is suffering I think I owe it to the animal to tell its family that euthanasia is an acceptable alternative. In the final analysis it is most important for the pet to be comfortable and for the family to be at ease with their choice to perform euthanasia.
***
I performed euthanasia for a very sick, older dog on Sunday evening. The family was understandably distraught because this dog was a big part of their household for many years. This family is new to our practice and I never knew this dog in his younger, healthier days. Nevertheless their bond with this dog was easily apparent.
I find it very difficult to answer the question, "What would you do if this was your dog?" Who am I to attach my values to a family I only just met? But this question is exactly what they asked me on Friday night as we discussed the dog's treatment options.
The best analysis I've heard about euthanasia was by my mentor who quoted Emily Dickinson:
"Pain Has An Element Of Blank
Pain has an element of blank;
It cannot recollect
When it began, or if there were
A day when it was not.
It has no future but itself,
Its infinite realms contain
Its past, enlightened to perceive
New periods of pain."
My mentor went on to say that animals have no real sense of time. The pain that they endure is endless until it ends, then there is little memory of what the pain was like. So if a pet's pain cannot be treated and it is seemingly never-ending, for whom are we keeping the pet alive? The fact is that often we are keeping the pet alive for ourselves.
As a veterinarian, I feel that it is my responsibility to act as an advisor to clients (pet owners) as well as an advocate for my patients. Euthanasia literally means "good death." To me, that means dying in peace, pain-free, and with dignity. I respect the wishes of pet owners to treat or not to treat a medical problem, but when I feel a pet is suffering I think I owe it to the animal to tell its family that euthanasia is an acceptable alternative. In the final analysis it is most important for the pet to be comfortable and for the family to be at ease with their choice to perform euthanasia.
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