29/01/2009 by Arielle.

I was told by my partners at work this week that they were cutting my hours right back and they could only afford to have me consult on  Saturdays. As a part-time locum at the practice, I was the obvious person to cut back on and the dear old senior vet who has had his days cut down to 3 a week.

I felt really sad about it and couldn’t but take it personally at first, feeling as though I was not good enough for them to keep me during the week. They assured me that it is purely a financial decision, but I feel so much for people who have recently been made redundant. What a blow to ones’ confidence and obviously financially, what a life changing stress.

It sent a ripple of panic through the practice as each staff member I spoke to looked concerned and I could almost read the worry on their faces. Sadly, every aspect of businesses are being affected - even vets and sadly it has to be me this time!

Posted in Being a Mum and a vet, A veterinary day | No Comments »

21/01/2009 by Arielle.

For all animal lovers out there, I thought I’d make you aware of a show coming up so you can book your tickets

Posted in Being a Mum and a vet | No Comments »

15/01/2009 by Arielle.

We have a lovely new kind receptionist at the branch practice and it was my turn to work there today. The veterinary nurse on duty was ill so our new receptionist had to stand in for her. Her heart dropped when she saw that an 18 year old cat called Moffatt was booked in for euthanasia.

Moffatt was very dehydrated and her organs had failed with old age. She was ready to be quietly put to sleep and her owners were obviously devastated.

I felt so bad that I had to call our new receptionist in to help me hold Moffatt and bring up the vein in her front leg. I noticed the tears well up in her eyes and let her quickly leave the room as soon as Moffatt was quiet. I really felt for her.

Posted in A veterinary day | No Comments »

07/01/2009 by Arielle.

A lovely elderly couple visited today with Roxy. She is a 7 month old black Lab who will one day become a Guide Dog. They very kindly foster her until she is ready for training but are involved in starting her training and socialising her. She is such a friendly, gorgeous puppy.

She had suffered from a minor vaginal infection recently. They brought her in today as she was bleeding and they were very concerned. I explained that it was all normal - she had started her first season! Guide dogs are only neutered a few months after having their first season.

They had a good laugh at their worry and explained that they had only ever fostered male puppies before. They went on to tell me about one puppy in particular called Humphrey. Being a Labrador, he was very food-orientated. They remember training him in Marks and Spencer one day (dogs are not normally allowed in supermarkets). He managed to grab a sandwich and before they could do anything, he had ripped it out of its plastic covering and devoured it! He also had one incident where he spotted a mince pie on a plate. He leapt over the sofa and in one swoop, he had grabbed the mince pie off the plate and swallowed it. We all had a good laugh about this and apparently he has gone on to make an excellent Guide Dog even with his shaky start into the world of the seeing dog!

Posted in A veterinary day | No Comments »