Hot Like Ebola!!!: DeathVet Express

So, this week was apparently "Christmas Cheer" week at the vet clinic where I vounteer. On wednesday, we had two euthanasias (one unplanned). On thursday, we had one euthanasia (unplanned). And today, we had one euthanasia (unplanned) in the morning, a dog-attacked cat that died on the way to the vet, and a euthanasia this afternoon.

The variety of causes for these deaths was widespread, with some the result of poor ownership ("Well, she's been getting sicker for almost a week now... No, we just decided to wait to bring her in until she couldn't walk and was barely breathing"), some the result of good ownership ("We just got home and she looked bad, so we called you right away"), and some the result of great ownership {"Well, she had 21 wonderful years with us, we think it's time"). Some had nothing to do with ownership, but were just freak accidents ("that cat and dog have lived together for 7 years, and the dog never even chased him!").

I'm not saying that I want my vet practice to be all sunshine and vaccinations. But it is a little disheartening when you go in to work wondering who else will die today. We have had some good cases this week, including a bunch of cute kittens and a very sparky boston terrier pup. I really feel that in all of these cases, the euthanasia was justified (and in one case, overdue).

I don't know. I guess I'm just a little disheartened. I don't like seeing dying and dead animals. I don't like when people bring their dog in "for a little checkup" and leave in tears. I don't like when Matt says bad jokes about euthanasia (although it was a little funny the first time).

I don't like that I wasn't invited to their Christmas party because I'm not a paid employee. Who washed bloody mucus off the post-op kennels today?

I'll be in L.A. for two weks starting sunday. expect little or no posting then. And if you have a room in the valley where two people can sleep, let me know!

:: submitted by Jenevieve, 1:40 AM
id="comments">1 Comments:

Have a good time in LA. It sounds like you need a big break. I'm sorry it's been so rough there lately.