Time to Flush True phone conversation at work today- Hello, thank you for calling, can I help you? Yes do you know fish? Yes I do, what did you want to know? Well I moved my fish tank last night. Then when I got up this morning the fish wasn't moving and his eyes look really weird. Do you think he's sick? Um, well sir...the guy who specializes in fish is here today and I'll transfer you over to him and maybe he'll have some suggestions. I wish I could have said very seriously " Now sir, do you know how to feel for your fish's pulse, I'll guide you through it". Why am I thinking of the Dead Parrot sketch in Monty Python?
Lol that's hilarious. You wouldn't believe some of the conversation I've had with people. I wonder what the human race is coming to in terms of intelligence.
Then there was a sad call today. A woman who said her cat was burned somehow a few months ago and now it's skin is bleeding and what can she do? My first question "Do you have a vet?". But we live surrounded by urban sprawl. Many people have pets but lack the resources for a vet visit. Considering a check-up for Callie last Fall was around $200 I feel for these people. But what could I tell her? That cat might live or it might get an infection and die. I don't know. We recommended an antibacterial...and prayer I suppose. I remember last year when Chii the cat got an infected bite in her face. I took care of it myself. But only because I've had successful experience with such things already. I wouldn't know how to begin to tell someone else what I had to do. It's sad they can't have some kind of monthly clinics for free vet care. There's a real need around here for it. Just if a vet a month could donate their time. It would help so many. Probably fear of liability and malpractice. Then there's the poor souls who would bring in their fish.
A few months ago! She should have taken to the vet and if not should have started treatment immediately. Burns are prone to infection and as you say could kill. The only recommendation would be to keep as clean as possible, start antibiotics, apply neosporin or the like, once it starts to heal up start using nustock. This is what she should have done right away if she wasn't going to have the vet give treatment. She can still try now but considering it's months and she's done nothing he might already be getting a deadly infection.
Yeah when you work at a pet store you get a lot of questions best answered by a vet. Fortunately there is a group that comes in on weekends to do shots and spays and I can just pass along their phone number. But for critical stuff these people don't really have anywhere to turn. There is emergency vet services for the well heeled. We went there once when a cat was hit by a car. 24hr care but they charge triple what the local vets do.
Wouldn't any vet make an e-call? Even if the person doesn't want to pay an after hours charge for an extended visit they could call to schedule an appointment next day. If someone doesn't take their animal to the very them they need to properly treat at home. There are lots of times when a vet isn't actually needed. But obviously ignoring & not treating the problem yourself could lead to needing a vet or death.
