We have a newer tech on staff. She is picking up on things pretty quickly, but as always there are some things you just can’t learn by being told- you need to know from experience. Like today, for example.
I saw a little chihuahua puppy who had diarrhea. A simple matter, really. Make sure it’s not parvo, test for parasites, send home some medication. Easy peasy as far as we are concerned. But this was a person new to owning puppies, and the idea of a puppy with diarrhea was overwhelming. Everything about having a puppy, really, was overwhelming. Picking up those cues is subtle sometimes, obvious other times, and you adjust your instructions based on this. I tend to talk quickly- it comes with being a Californian- and I think sometimes maybe I tell too much information, explain too much too fast. When I have someone staring at me with those shell shocked wide eyes, it’s time to back up.
In this case, it was backing waaaay up. As my tech was going into the room to review the meds, I leaned in and said, “Make sure to emphasize this medication goes in the mouth. Otherwise they’re going to try and do it as a suppository.”
“Even though it says on the bottle By Mouth?” I nodded. She laughed at my ‘joke’ and went in the room.
She came out still laughing, and said, “How did you know?”
Experience, my friend.
Ask any vet- and those of you in the field here can back me up- everyone has a story about Advantage given orally, dewormer per rectum, ear ointment in the eye…So if you are the standard type of person who understands instructions easily, please don’t be offended when we tell you the same thing three times, write it down, demonstrate it, and draw a picture. We have to cover all our bases here. I don’t know why people always assume we are going to send them home with meds to give rectally- not going to happen EVER, unless you have an epileptic!- but it seems to be one of those zany things that people associate with pet medication. Why, I have no idea.
Thinking back to puppyhood, even then I don’t think it would be a mistake we’d make. Then again, puppyhood can bring you to tears and pulling out your hair so I can’t say for sure 😉
my husband tried to give my then 3 yo son a suppository by mouth. even the kid knew this was wrong.
i used to do tech support for a gps system, trust me, i totally get the ‘say thrice, write twice and demo once’.
Thank you for your blog. I’ve been reading it here at work, having no internet access, and not only has it been very entertaining and thought provoking, it prompted me to do something about my cat’s teeth. She’s very elderly (my last vet’s best guess was thirteen at a year ago, and she lived a hard life before she came to us, as evidenced by myriad health problems, droopy catboobs, underweight, showing signs of having been beaten, skin problems, persistent ear problems, etc.) and about six months ago when her eating slowed I hauled her into the vet. Apparently she’s losing her teeth. After a while everything cleared up (she’s been switched to soft food) and she was eating normally, but now it’s happened again, and worse, she appears to actually be in pain.
I am broke as a joke (just moved), and although I know that’s no excuse, it’s made me hesitate again and again. But reading your blog, particularly the couple of times you’ve mentioned the importance of dentals, I’ve booked an appointment for her two weeks from now for the whole deal–exam, extractions if necessary, full dental. All I feel now is how ashamed I am that I put it off. I don’t feel bad skimping on groceries if it means by cat will feel the better for it, especially as old as she is.
On behalf of my cat and from the depths of my very guilty conscience, thank you. I’m sure she’ll be a lot happier when she’s able to give the other cat a thorough whomping again.
Priscilla- Oh goodness, and those things tend to be pretty big!! Men. lol.
Heather- Ugh, that does not sound fun. I’m glad that is a “used to”. 😉
Guilty Conscience- I am so, so glad to hear that! Don’t feel guilty. It’s hard. I know everyone does the best they can, when they can. You are doing a lot more than many people do, and for that, thank you. 🙂 And thank you for coming in and saying hello. I look forward to your next post under “Clean Conscience” 😀 😀