Clinic Animals

Re: Clinic Animals

Nicola Smith — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:01:58 GMT

We have acquired a practice cat. She was brought in as a collapsed stray with the most dreadful matted hair - she was just a giant matt really - found on a building site so probbaly dumped. She is VERY ancient, and a real feisty tortie. She is hyperthyroid and not sure we will have her long as she is so ancient but the rescues were all full and wouldnt; have took her anyway so she stayed!! As she is so old she sleeps most of the time but has run of prep room and kennel area in the afternoons, and has a big kennel for rest of the time. Vet lives at the practice and has tried to take her through the house but she just meows at the door to come back through!! We hav ehad her for 5 months now, at least she has had warmth and love in her twilight years - not that she appreciates it with her tortie attitude particularly if we are trying to groom her!! Lol!

Re: Clinic Animals

Claire Cameron — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:13:45 GMT

[quote user="zookeeper"]

OMG! Small world!

Sad to say that Sylvester passed away last year! bless him.

He was found collapsed, I was told he has a bleed on the brain, something like that.

He was so cheeky, the funniest cat I had the pleasure of meeting.

I always smile to myself when I think of him.

[/quote]

Aww that's so sad!

What a lovely little cat he was. Such a character. Bet he's a huge miss down in Fetcham!

God, what a small world

Re: Clinic Animals

Freckle — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:58:28 GMT

He really does sound like a fab kitty! RIP Sylvester x

I have worked in places with practice cats before, but never dogs. I'm glad you found your pooch a new home close by

Re: Clinic Animals

Cat Woman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:53:38 GMT

& PD Fetcham had a treat pot with biscuits in for the animals that made a noise as it opened - he would come running!! It was a fairly quiet surgery when I was there, so I was on my own for much of the time, he was great company. Its nice to hear the little stories about him!

Re: Clinic Animals

loopylou711 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:12:41 GMT

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

[quote user="zookeeper"]

He used to get shood out the chemist next door, as he would often walk in there and sleep on blankets they had for sale!

RIP Sylvester

[/quote]

Gosh, he sounded like a real legend!! RIP Sylvester

[/quote]

I am filling up here!! he sounds like a real chracter!! Bless him!! RIP Sylvester

Re: Clinic Animals

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:53:46 GMT

[quote user="zookeeper"]

He used to get shood out the chemist next door, as he would often walk in there and sleep on blankets they had for sale!

RIP Sylvester

[/quote]

Gosh, he sounded like a real legend!! RIP Sylvester

Re: Clinic Animals

zookeeper — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:46:07 GMT

He still loved sleeping on the boiler, then he used to love sleeping on the receptionists chair, as soon as you got up he would jump in your grave!

He used to make the cars stop down the side rd as he would take his time to cross the rd. He thought he owned the neighbourhood

He used to get shood out the chemist next door, as he would often walk in there and sleep on blankets they had for sale!

He was an amazing Cat. everyone in the villiage knew him, even the bus drivers. as Sylvester used to walk with his owners son to the bus stop for school.

RIP Sylvester

Re: Clinic Animals

Cat Woman — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:11:25 GMT

[quote user="zookeeper"]

OMG! Small world!

Sad to say that Sylvester passed away last year! bless him.

He was found collapsed, I was told he has a bleed on the brain, something like that.

He was so cheeky, the funniest cat I had the pleasure of meeting.

I always smile to myself when I think of him.

[/quote]

Oh no! Sylvester died? I think I may be the first nurse at PD Fetcham to start letting him in! When I was there he slept on my jumper on top of the boiler behind the door. I let him in & out every day for about 2 years. Such a chilled out, happy cat! RIP Sylve.

Re: Clinic Animals

Vicky RVN — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:45:58 GMT

Glad you've found him a nice local home so he can come and visit you

Re: Clinic Animals

Emma Townson VN Cert IV MBVNA — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:33:37 GMT

Thanks for all the replies :-)

It was the clinic manager who really wanted to keep him here but after lots of debating and talking realistically - we have found him a lovely home just down the road form the clinic. :-)

Re: Clinic Animals

Vicky RVN — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:42 GMT

I can't see a practice dog being very happy personally. I know it would be well loved, but it's not the same as living with a family in a home. Can one of the staff not have him?

Re: Clinic Animals

zookeeper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:08:42 GMT

OMG! Small world!

Sad to say that Sylvester passed away last year! bless him.

He was found collapsed, I was told he has a bleed on the brain, something like that.

He was so cheeky, the funniest cat I had the pleasure of meeting.

I always smile to myself when I think of him.

Re: Clinic Animals

Claire Cameron — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:39:41 GMT

[quote user="zookeeper"]

Hi Claire

The practice in Surrey wouldnt be Pet Doctors in Fetcham?

There was a cat called Sylvester that lived up the side rd from the practice, that used to walk to the parade of shops, and jump up at the door of the vets to be let in!

His owner used to buy TD take a bag home and leave a bag at the practice.

He used to sleep on top of the printer, cant remember how many times he accidently got locked in the practice overnight.

[/quote]

Yeah! Sylvester!!! and Yup Pet Doctors in Fetcham

Re: Clinic Animals

zookeeper — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:33:42 GMT

Hi Claire

The practice in Surrey wouldnt be Pet Doctors in Fetcham?

There was a cat called Sylvester that lived up the side rd from the practice, that used to walk to the parade of shops, and jump up at the door of the vets to be let in!

His owner used to buy TD take a bag home and leave a bag at the practice.

He used to sleep on top of the printer, cant remember how many times he accidently got locked in the practice overnight.

Re: Clinic Animals

Kim Buckley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:26:40 GMT

We're in the middle of a busy town so our practice cat wouldn't last very long outside.

Re: Clinic Animals

Claire Cameron — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:24:18 GMT

When I locummed in Surrey, one of the neighbours' cat's was a practice cat. He would stand up with his paws on the door waiting to be in. The owner used to bring some food in for him and he'd spend his days between the practice and his home

Re: Clinic Animals

Steph Worsley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:19:17 GMT

at my first practice we had a practice cat, she appreared as a stray and decided to stay with us, she had free roam of the practice, except consult room, if we were operating the door would be shut so she couldn't get in. at night she used to go out as she was so used to it unless it was cold then she would stay in!!

at another practice we had what was practically a practice dog, he was one of the vets but used to stay behind reception during the day and loved it!!

Re: Clinic Animals

Kim Buckley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:53:15 GMT

Our practice cat is quite shy and was ok in our old hospital because she had the run of the nurses flat but she's not allowed in the new one and so is confined in one room which I really don't think is very fair. It's not practical to allow her to have free run of the hospital because it's a large 3 storey building. She's good company at weekends though!

Re: Clinic Animals

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:49:43 GMT

Aww, I worked in a place that had 2 practice cats, they were fabulous, and they were so used to everything going on nothing fazed them. They even took a telling if you were in the ops room and they decided to saunter in, you just had to say no out, and they turned and left. They were also fairly savy with dogs etc and knew when to keep their distance.

They had free roam apart from at night where they went into a big shared kennel until the morning.

Re: Clinic Animals

Kim Buckley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:29:50 GMT

I don't think it would be very fair to have a dog as a practice pet. Dogs need routine and I don't think a vet practice is a very homely environment for a dog.

We have a practice cat and I don't really agree with her being there as she is confined to the staff room. Think we'll be looking for a new home for her soon.

Re: Clinic Animals

Tracy Windler RVN — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:25:06 GMT

Where would he live? In wards? I think a cat or birds are ok-depending on the circumstances, but I´m not sure a dog would appreciate being handed from pillar to post. I´m sure you would all love him, but dogs need consistancy and regular training/exercise.

Or what happens when he´s a 5 year old and no one has the time on lunch breaks to take him for a walk? Think ahead 10 years. Will all the same staff be employed there or will the new staff be as committed to looking after him?

I think its a lovely idea, but perhaps in reality, not so practical.

If he´s a puppy, you would easily rehome him, as long as its to someone you know, so you can monitor his post-op care.

Sorry to put a downer on it

In answer to the above post, my current locum practice has a cat, the clients do love her and its lucky that she´s very sociable and confident, but I do worry about her being in reception and causing a ruckus! She pretty much has the run of the practice, but not in prep/theatre/kennels/consult rooms during the day.

Re: Clinic Animals

S-J — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:29:53 GMT

i can understand a practice bird in a cage or something similar but what would u do with a dog or cat, im just curious as never had any practice animals, are they able to just roam around or are they confined to recep etc. what if they walk into the room at the wrong time when ur wrestling a rottie or similar

Re: Clinic Animals

Shelly vn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:03:06 GMT

We've had practice pets at almost every practice i've worked at. At my first job, the practice cats used to sit on the reception desk and all the clients loved it! We used to get old ladies coming in every week with fresh cooked fish for them! I hope you get to keep your puppy!

Re: Clinic Animals

Jemima 13 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:48:26 GMT

I don't see the problem. Especially if he has people with him at weekends/bank hols!

At my last place we had 3 practice cats and a chameleon! It was fine because the duty nurse used to look after them! I know it's a bit more difficult with a dog but I'm sure he's already used to his new living arrangements and loves the attention!

Have fun!