Here's to Timothy

Last week, Timothy, a 19 year old cat, quietly passed away at home in his owner’s arms. This call became a new ‘type’ of referral from a general practice hospital, one we cannot claim to ‘specialize’ in but, because we host a pet loss support group here monthly, are none the less honored to try. This time a family was referred to us strictly to provide support for their loss.


Over the course of our phone conversation I learned Timothy lived with a childless couple and littermate, Tabatha, in their modest studio apartment. Timothy and Tabatha were adored by this couple as if they were children. Timothy and Tabatha have their own Christmas tree. Timothy’s ornaments are on the tree this year again; it is a bittersweet remembrance of their loss.

As I tried to recall all I was taught about pet loss support (by the great mentor, Coleen Ellis), Timothy’s owner tearfully reflected intimate moments of joy, comfort, and sadness. As I offered suggestions, I quickly learned some must still rely on public libraries for computer or internet access; if not conservative you can run out of cell phone minutes, thus communication with the outside world; a trip across town is not as easy as jumping in a car and just driving to your destination; and friends to help you through the loss of a beloved pet are hard to come by.

I came to understand Timothy suffered from hyperthyroidism and his last year was difficult. I can make no assumptions about his veterinary care, or his family’s choices for him, even though in this profession we are conditioned to do so. What I do know is that our response to this family’s grief mattered a great deal to them. I was profoundly moved when I was told how much my call helped…a simple little returned call…from a stranger in a world far removed from their own… And then she said, “God bless you and Merry Christmas”.

So here is to Timothy who represents all the modest yet complex relationships that come with pet ownership. Life is not always fair. Some things ‘just are’. When we accept the limitations of science and time, however, and look to the nature of the heart, we discover that our opportunities to ‘make a positive difference’ are endless.

Circle City Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital wishes a very happy holiday season and prosperous new year to all.

NOVEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

Click on the link below for Circle City's November Newsletter
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-Circle-City-Veterinary-Specialty.html?soid=1102686630422&aid=tlryz9mM7BQ

EPA Wisdom and What We Already Knew

A March 17, 2010 article from DVM Magazine sited the EPA's announcement that new labeling requirements, public education, and increased monitoring for adverse events will become part of the standard regulatory enforcement efforts for new and existing spot-on flea control products.

Hmmmmmm...what the EPA is just now discovering, veterinarians and their support staff knew long ago; the risks of adverse reactions and mishandling would increase when topical flea and tick products went from prescription medications to over-the-counter applications.

We don't like to say, "We told you so", but we did challenge the thought and practice of this when it began.

For years now, the family veterinarian has battled the on-line discount pharmacies and large retail chains where product is sold in mass and margins are low. From the beginning they understood all the possible things that could go wrong when a pet owner, with minimal or no guidance, chooses the wrong product to control fleas and ticks.

When deep pockets and mass marketing push for faster and cheaper we lose the value of the neighborhood veterinarian whose priority lies with their patients and families.

Adverse events and mishandling would decrease significantly if these spot-on products were once again managed through licensed veterinarians, but sadly, they now seem to be falling into a governmental bureaucracy too. However well intentioned our government agencies are, common sense dictates that if placed back into the capable hands of the family veterinarian, all would be well once more.