Those "Special" Cases

Wow. None of my blogs have received the kind of response I've gotten as yesterday's "Loser Humans" entry did. Well, maybe the one when we learned that Lucy was killed, but Sunshine's story hit a nerve with my readers and I got quite a few calls and emails today asking about her. You know I wouldn't have euthanized her unless she was terminally ill, or sent her away to be killed. But I really don't want it to get back to those heartless people who abandoned her just what did happen with her. I know, I know, they COULD have left her on the streets to fend for her self. They COULD have taken her to the pound. They must in their heart of hearts want a better life for her. Fine. I just HATE being used this way, when anyone who knows me KNOWS I would have helped if just asked. Thank you to every body who is asking after her and thanking my staff and me for her sake. She is a sweetheart and although scared to death yesterday, has really come around today with just a little tender loving care.

Veterinary medicine is wonderful in that general practitioner veterinarians like me (somewhat similar to family practice MDs-they are just limited to a single species!) are able to see and handle a wide variety of patients and cases-limited really just by their interests and experiences. It allows for a wide variety of situations-there is rarely a dull moment around our hospital as you just don't know what might come about when that phone rings. I love being able to examine a patient, do any necessary tests right in my own hospital, and often do major surgery or dental work, manage infections, control pain, provide behavior consultations-"all in a day's work" as I've written about before. Since the knowledge base is so huge-and seems to get larger every year-there is always talk of "tracking" veterinary students, limiting their training to large or small animal species for example. But I continue to support the type of training I received-"all creatures great and small." I may not do as much large animal work these days-the small animal work takes up a lot of time-but my time working on cows and horses and all gave me confidence and experience-and lots of stories!-which will follow me throughout my career.

As you have been reading along in these blogs, you have likely noted when a patient requires attention above and beyond what a general practitioner (me) is able to provide. There are many veterinarians who elected not to concentrate on a certain species, only seeing cats or birds for example, but rather specialized in a given area of medicine or surgery. Most of these specialties require additional years of study or internships, then the passing of difficult tests or boards, thus the term "board-certified" in describing a specialist. We are fortunate to live near a large metropolitan area and have many of these board-certified specialists available for our patients without having to travel great distances. Of course, the additional training and equipment specialists and their teams require come at a cost-referral or consultation services can be expensive, and some of our clients may not be able to afford this option. If this is the case, I will provide the care that I have been trained to do, often with the advice of experts I consult online. Although clients are made aware that specialists are often more qualified for given procedures, I will do the next best thing for the pet when their are cost or other limiting factors. I happen to enjoy surgery and other challenging medical cases, so these situations add excitement to the day, allowing me to stretch out my skills and keep my team hopping.

I believe we have specialists from every board represented in our area. Dr. Matson is a veterinary dental specialist: Eastside Veterinary Dentistry
Dr. DuPont is at Shoreline Veterinary Dental Clinic. Dr. Karri Meleo is a veterinary oncologist or cancer specialist. Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Landry are ophthalmologists or veterinary eye doctors. Dr. Duclos specializes in dermatology or skin and allergy problems: Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic
Dr. Mison is a boarded surgeon: Seattle Veterinary Specialists
Dr. Wackerbath is at the feline hyperthyroid treatment center: Feline HTC
Dr. Woodfield is a board-certified cardiologist or heart doctor.
Dr. Sung is a veterinary behavior specialist. These are just examples of the many wonderful doctors we work with regularly-and are fortunate to do so.

Some of the specialists that supply their services to our clients and pets on a regular basis work in large group or specialty centers. They are often associated with critical care and/or emergency facilities, offering state-of-the-art veterinary medicine and surgical procedures. It is very handy to refer the very ill patients to these large centers as so many of them have more than one issue or problem. Having the ability to do an ultrasound, a specialized diagnostic imaging test, for example, interpret that test, do a biopsy, and continue on to surgery if indicated makes it much easier on the patient and client-not having to transport an ill and/or stressed pet, securing records and test results-everything is at hand and the whole team can work together for that pet. Two centers or facilities we commonly refer to can be learned about here:

ACCES

VCA

Pet lovers are more and more demanding higher levels of care for their furry family members. With veterinary specialists at the standby, our pets have never been in better hands.

Peace,
DrReneigh