Every day at work, I rely on my years of animal experience to keep my head cool in emergency situations. Animal comes to the clinic in distress? My body is three steps ahead of my mind as I leap into action, gathering whatever we need to save a life. Doctor's orders are followed before I even have time to process them in my mind. Naturally, I prefer the days when we only see routine wellness exams; calm days without the heartbreak and worry. But the excitement of an emergency is always cool, especially when the animal in distress pulls through!
Then there was last night. Not cool. One of my cats has been on various treatments for a chronic problem. When I medicated him for the first time with this new medication, he began to vomit explosively. And then cough. And wheeze. And itch like he was suddenly covered in fleas.
At which point, I lept into action, created an endotracheal tube out of a straw, intubated him and breathed for him while I expertly administered the necessary antihistamines.
Or,
Became so overwhelmed with panic that I froze. I suddenly had never seen an animal in my life. In my mind, he was suddenly dying and I had no control over the situation. I trembled, I shook, I broke into a cold sweat and burst into tears. In short, I was just another pet owner, in as much distress as my cat was at that moment.
Fortunately, after a few minutes, the voice of reason broke through my thoughts and I realized that while the wheezing was bad, he was breathing. His color was staying good. The reaction was extremely unpleasant, but not immediately life threatening. So I steamed up the bathroom for him, and found him some medication for the allergy. After a bit, the itching stopped. The wheezing slowed. And I, like the worried 'mother' that I am, sat up with him for the rest of the night.
Not so exciting. I'd go with terrifying, nauseating, frustrating and horrifying! I hated it! It's just so strange how I can deal with these situations at work and enjoy my job so much, but when it steps into my own home, I am sickened.
This is absolutely why medical professionals generally don't work on their own families. Those who do must be the most brave, most together people on the entire planet!
Beyond the Headlines: Flanagan Racing
1 hour ago
1 responses:
I disagree with your conclusion as to physicians who work on their own families as being brave and together. YOUR reaction is completely normal and expected. This is what happens when we love someone (including pets). Love is not a rational emotion, so our reactions to an ill loved one are also not rational.
Your reaction shows your love for your little fur faces and, while you "love" all the animals that come through your clinic doors, they are not YOURS.
I believe that physicians that treat their own families (in a acute setting like what happened to you) are not brave or together. Instead they are detached and unfeeling, unable to separate themselves from the physician and instead alienates their "loved" ones.
Your kitties are lucky to have you. In any and all capacities.
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