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Not exactly a good work week so far - the last 3 days have had to stay late.

First night quill dog, second night vomiting puppy, tonight acute renal failure.

It is not that I don't understand emergencies that I get but some of these were individuals that drove past other vets to go to the hospital and based on the severity of some of the cases felt would have been in best interest of pet to go to the closest available vet. For example if quills in mouth and pet pawing at mouth breaking off the quills the longer it is before see the vet the more difficulty it will be removing the quills.

The saddest thing for me is the number of animals that don't get proper vet care I am not saying ones that decline dental cleanings instead I mean ones that don't get seen till a pet has been vomiting for DAYS or that haven't been eating well or acting right for weeks before contacting the vet. Worse is probably the number of individuals that either give their pet human medication like Tylenol (which is TOXIC to pets) or give a medication and then call to see if it was ok - at that point what can one do if already given not much to be done.

If we are the advocates for our pets it is our responsibility to be informed and not just follow 'a friend's advice' but to check with vet first - same way a person can't prescribe an antibiotic for themselves is the same way we shouldn't medicate a pet without consulting a vet.

stare