I am utterly exhausted. I am running on very low sleep because of afterhours emergencies and a busy schedule full of interruptions/emergencies and one intensive hospital case… I have so many interesting topics and cases to discuss but can not right now because my brain is fried!
I am simply feeling really confused, crabby and delirious like this premedicated kitty cat below.
One of my great and very dedicated bloggers Barb asked me how I am able to cope with the loss of a beautiful patient like Boss. Unfortunately every vet soon learns that you can’t save every patient and you need to be prepared to endure the loss of some and thrive in the success of others. If you want to continue to succeed as a vet, you have to look forward to a brighter tomorrow filled with hope and perseverance. You must always also find time to reflect on the patients you lost and see what you could have done better.
The secrets of how I keep myself going are my patients.
The regulars like SCAMPIEEEE, my smiling JRT that only smiles to you as a greeting. If he sees you again after he has already greeted you with a smile then that’s it. You have had your smile. What a cracker!
Or simply, four puppies crawling all over you during their 4 puppies in 1 consultation.
My ear drums suffered severely but their cuteness made up for it…
I am off to bed as I have a big day at work tomorrow. I may be doing a cystotomy (incising into a bladder) surgery in a golden retriever with bladder & urolith stones!
Stay tuned…
Related articles
- Cuddle me forever (rayyathevet.com)
Dr Rayya's Online Veterinary Journal 
August 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Dr. Rayya,
I have to apologize for my comment on the lab; somehow (don’t ask me how) I missed the fact that the dog had to be euthanized. That always makes me sad, but at least it was peaceful.
August 12, 2011 at 10:20 am
Dear jodi…when you commented, I had published half my article and been called out to an emergency…so I hadn’t discussed boss’s outcome! your comment was very welcome either way :-)…
August 11, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Poor Rayya – sounds like you need a holiday.
August 12, 2011 at 10:33 am
Thanks Rosie 🙂
August 11, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Losing a pet comes with the territory of being a vet, and as much as you want to, you can’t save them all. I realize that but I would find it hard to cope – suppose that’s why I’m not a vet! Like doctors for humans, vets are very special people who have a calling; I suppose you just get on with what you have to do, and look forward to tomorrow.
I guess appreciation from your patients and their grateful owners is your greatest reward. I know how much I appreciate my own local vet.
August 12, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Barb ditto to your very wise and kind words…its clients like you that I value so much
August 12, 2011 at 12:55 am
Here’s hoping the tragic streak you have been experiencing will end soon. If you only count three pups, it’s because I slipped one in my pocket and took it home with me!
August 12, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Thank you :-)…I am hoping for a better week full of puppy smuggling..hehehe…
August 21, 2011 at 7:05 pm
I feel sorry about your hectic schedule any way you ought to take rest.
August 21, 2011 at 8:04 pm
thank you so much for your concern. i had a great weekend and feel rejuvenated and ready for work tomorrow 🙂
August 22, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I love your blog!
August 22, 2011 at 9:14 pm
so glad you liked my blog
September 28, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Wow, some really interesting stuff on this blog. I’ve never read a vet’s blog before. Always admired them though so it’s interesting to see what they have to say about the job.
September 28, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Hello David…I hope my blog you keep enjoying my blog and the admiration for vets continues 🙂