This week I have several things to report. First of all, thanks goes to Dr. McEvoy and the staff at the Emergency clinic for a difficult case that I struggled with and they ultimately did surgery on.
Endora is a senior cat patient with wonderful owners. Endora and her 'parents' moved to Rockport and we still see them along with Dr Herzig in Belfast and Dr. Tomalty in Northport. Endora has had a long history including kidney disease, neurological problems, bladder problems, and hyperthyroidism. Endora is one of less than 1/2 dozen clients that have gone to have radioactive iodine therapy to treat the overactive thyroid that was making her lose weight and aggravating her heart. She did great after the therapy and her kidney problems have been managed with a combination of natural meds from Dr. Herzig.
One of the side effects of one of the medications that she takes makes her unusually hungry. Two weeks ago she ate quite a few chickpeas that had been soaking in water in preparation for cooking. Shortly after she started vomiting and was very lethargic. Throughout the week we treated her with fluids and took Xrays and bloodwork. Relatively early into her illness her kidney enzymes spiked and we all worried a bit whether this would topple her dominoes that were so neatly set up by her owners and us, the veterinary team.
Endora's owners drove her back and forth throughout the week 3 separate times. They inspire me with their commitment. On Saturday she took a turn for the worse and her parents brought her to Dr. Tomalty. She sent Endora to the Emergency clinic where they did emergency surgery to remove what ended up being a chick pea lodged in the first part of the small intestine.
Endora is doing fine now. She came back and at almost 15 years old is back eating and feeling much better.
My first emotion as she was recovering was regret that I had not gone in surgically to explore her abdomen and remove what ended up almost killed her. After 21 years of practice, there is no way to avoid the unknowns in the practice of medicine.
But as I reflect on this there is a deeper lesson. Veterinary medicine is best performed as a team sport. The most important members are the owners, the vet(s) and those who give their hearts and experience to nursing pets back to health. In Endora's case, the team was huge....two dedicated owners, 4 vets, countless staff that took care of Endora as she needed fluids, injections and nursing care after surgery. There is little room for ego when it comes to doing the right thing.
Christina and Karen both will continue to work at the Emergency Clinic occasionally after they start fulltime at Kindred Spirits. I think I speak for them when I say that there is no place that you can put your skills more into making a difference into the survival of patients than in emergency medicine. I have seen the Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary clinic go through many changes through the years. Not all times have I been proud of.
Let me tell you my snapshot of the state of affairs right now at the Emergency Vet. There is a new Practice manager with a big heart and a lot of experience. There are excellent vets and excellent staff. God forbid that you have to meet the new crew, but let me be the one to tell you that you are in good hands if you do.
So, not to change the seriousness of the subject, but the Etrade babies make me laugh. If you haven't seen them, or if you don't watch TV, let me tell you that there are many commercials (including this year's Superbowl) that crack me up. The most recent one includes a little milkaholic named Lindsey.
So it turns out, that you can go on to the website and make your own video. Its easy and hilarious.
Yeah, you know I made one.
The purpose of this video is to expand our email list. Cmon...I know there are still some of you that forward these emails to friends. You can have them watch my Etrade baby and send us an email at kindredvet@aol.com to sign up.
As always, if you want to opt out, send me an email and I will take you off.
But check this out first....
http://www.etradebabymail.com/?mId=35191366.3
Have a great week.
Thanks for listening
Mark
|
