Sunday, August 3, 2014

A funny thing happened... blame the super moon!

Whenever there is an unusual amount of "strange" activity in Bellambi, I head over to my "moon" calendar to see if there is a correlation.

There have be many scientific studies which show that there is absolutely no correlation between what our moon is doing and what we are doing.  But frankly, science has got it wrong!

It is going to be one of those things, like divining, telepathy or any other hoo doo voo doo,  that, anecdotally appears to exist, but when you try to measure it through the means we want to, it just refuses to be measured.

And sometimes a vet's day just seems to do the same thing. 

You wake up all excited by what it may bring, and at the end of the day.... you feel like you have lived through a day of "Comedy Channel" (or the Drama Channel or a combination of the two,  depending on how the day went).

The "temper" needle



This "zombie" also needs the "temper needle" to
calm him down too
(my son Sean at the Museum of Human Diseases
Zombie Apocalypse)
Every few months or so, there is a guy who walks in to say "Gday" to us as he walks home from Bellambi pub down the road.  He is nice and harmless enough, and according to him... absolutely loves his two dogs.


We have never seen his two dogs, as he always says they are up to date on everything, getting that done at the best vet in the world down near Bomaderry a few years ago.   It always puts a smile on my face to hear something like that... seriously... as this is awesome for him that he has absolute respect for a colleague, even if I have no idea who that is, and don't recognise the name.

He doesn't buy any flea or worming stuff from us either, as we are apparently too expensive. As for a check up? Well, that isn't necessary, as they are healthy he says.

Today, he came in to ask me a question whilst he was heading home. . 

"How much is the temper needle", he asks.

As I thought he was asking about the vaccination, which includes distemper, I asked my usual question about whether he also needs the vaccinations against Canine Cough.  All dogs require an annual or triannual vaccionation against Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus, and only high risk groups should get the Canine Cough needle each year.

A confused look went over his face, and then he said "Not the needles, but the temper needle.  He's getting angry and I need to give him the temper needle to settle him down".  As he clarified what he actually wanted, a confused look washed over my face.

It appeared that one of his dogs was starting to bite his hands when he goes to pat it, and attack the other dog too.   He also had been desexed recently too.

As the conversation went on, apparently this most amazing vet from down south recommended the temper needle as a treatment for this dog's biting.

Whilst I aim to please, and our pharmacy is quite comprehensive, it was with sadness that I had to advise this pet owner that we did not have a "temper" needle, nor were we likely to ever stock this "temper" needle.

He was to come back to let me know what this infamous "temper needle" actually was, but to this day, I still haven't heard. And as I don't know the name of this amazing vet from down south, I can't ring to find out what the medication actually is.

Pandora can't help herself


You have all met Pandora, our boss!  She is the black cat that sits at the front door teasing your dogs either as they walk in or out. She may sit on your lap (if you are a dog person), or try to sit in front of your cat's cage.

Frankly, I have to apologise for her behaviour, as she often comes across all sweet, nice and lovey dovey.... until she bites you.  It's love, honestly, and they do say love hurts.  So do Pandora's bites!

They also say that cat's have nine lives... well, in Pandora's case, she would use them up almost daily, as she ventures into our consultation room.

The problem isn't that she comes into the room, but that she chooses to come in when there is a poor munchkin on the consultation table who really doesn't like cats, and thus, is easily aroused at the mere thought of a cat, let alone one being physically present. 

Top it all off, this cat is allowed to come in and go out of the room as they choose, but this poor doggie,  being restrained by a loving owner, and is even told chastising words for growling, lungeing, trying to jump off the table, and any other combination of behaviours one would see in a dog who sees a cat.

All of us at Russell Vale Animal Clinic apologise to all of you for Pandora's behaviour.  It is a situation which we are sadly very much aware off.

We would dearly love to say that it won't happen again, but unfortunately we can't.  Simply, because Pandora is a cat.  And she can't help herself.

As we do not believe in being anything other than your true self, we cannot ask, our boss, Pandora, to be anything else.  Despite the fact that her behaviour, at certain unfortunate times, is very.... well, what is the phrase...., inconsiderate?

She is a cat, and she loves our home made liver jerky.  I cannot punish her for her good taste now, can I?

The Three Molly's,


We all know things happen in 3's. In veterinary life, it may be three cats who have decided to "obstruct" themselves on a Friday afternoon, five minutes before closing. 

Or the three coughing dogs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

These are not called "Molly" but they are 3 happy
dogs at Russell Vale vets
But I will talk about the "Three Molly's".  One would think that the name "Molly" would be a common enough name for our pet's, as it often ranks in the top ten.

But what is the likelihood of a solo veterinarian, seeing three dogs called "Molly" in the same afternoon.

And, what would the likelihood of these three dogs all having the same presenting complaint (even though the final diagnosis not the same)  even if they are of totally different (unrelated at all ) breeds?

I used to enjoy mathematics in high school, so I would say, that generally, it is not a one-in-a-million type situation based on the criteria of name alone.

But what is the likelihood of three dogs named Molly, coming into a veterinary hospital, within 2 hours of each other, of unrelated breeds and owners, with urinary tract problems?

Ordinarily, I would say  it was unlikely, but we are talking about Russell Vale Animal Clinic - where we make "rare diseases" and "uncommon presentations" the norm! 

It isn't the common things, that occur commonly with us, but the uncommon things too! (a side effect of performing full physical examinations, and doing as thorough a "work up" as we can.)

I am Dr Liz, the mad vet from Russell Vale vets.  There are some full moon days which put a smile on our face, and some where we just shake our heads, and wonder why.

Thank you for reading the bellambivet blog and for being part of the animalclinic family at Russell Vale Animal Clinic.

If you ever need us, why not give us a call on 42845988.