theexoticvet:

Sympathy

I just finished writing 6 sympathy cards. Yesterday I wrote two. Most weeks I end up making at least three. The majority of them are sad but also a relief, the pets were euthanized because we could no longer help them and they aren’t suffering anymore.

Lately though, I am writing cards for pets (especially exotics) that died due to apathy. Looking back through charts I see all the recommendations I made that weren’t followed. “Advised owner to purchase UV light. Advised owner to get thermostat. Recommend not feeding hamburger and switching to crickets. Advised owner that the temperature is too cold in the enclosure. Gave owner handouts on husbandry. Gave owner shopping list.” I don’t understand if the disconnect is because I am not doing a good job explaining why I make the recommendations or if people truly don’t care enough.

I explain my exam findings and what they mean. I show owners changes they can make and why we should make them. I send home husbandry guides and shopping lists with websites and stores to purchase items. I do follow up calls and keep in touch via email. And yet people will not do anything. I have some patients that come in every 3-4 months for the same problem. “You know, if you just buy that light and increase the humidity, you won’t have to see me anymore. You spend more on visits than on the supplies.” I’ll keep seeing them until the pet dies or has to be euthanized.

This isn’t just exotics either. I’ve had cats die of obesity. Dogs die from infected teeth. All things that we discuss ad nauseum and I practically beg people to change.

I can’t write “I’m so sorry to hear Chico passed away because you wouldn’t buy a heater.”

So I’ll keep writing them, and I’ll keep making my recommendations. But I wish I didn’t have to spend so much on stamps every week.