In the above surgery, the
dog is still alive in 2013
as I met the owner
recently. The sibling of
this dog had generalised
body and head tremors and
he had consulted 2 vets.
Vet 1 prescribed
glucosamine but the
tremors persisted. Vet 2
referred him to get a CT
scan at another practice.
This costs $1,500 - $2,000
and so he remembered me,
researched the internet
for "Toa Payoh Vets" and
phoned me.
The owner wanted an
affordable bladder stone
surgery in 2009 and vets
of my generation often
strived to provide least
medical cost by not asking
for X-rays pre and post
operation or blood tests
at the first visit.
For example, this poodle
had blood in the urine and
the abdomen was very
painful near the bladder
region. I informed the
owner of the diagnosis of
bladder stones although
there was no X-ray or
stone analysis done to
lower his medical costs by
at least $200. He wanted
an immediate surgery.
I gave an IV drip and
antibiotics and operated
on the same day of
consultation. I told the
owner that the dog had 20%
chance of survival on the
operating table.
If the dog is given an IV
drip and stablised for 24
hours before surgery, the
survival rate will be much
higher. However, this dog
did survive and so the
owner had a favourable
impression of me and I saw
his trembling poodle, the
sibling of the
afore-mentioned dog with
bladder stone surgery.
I
have my illustration to
show readers who what
anaesthesia was used and
the number and nature of
the bladder stones. When
the dog survives despite
the odds, the feeling is
great and the owner
remembers the vet who had
performed according to his
expectations, namely a
good surgical outcome.
In 2013, the expectations
of a sophisticated younger
generation of pet owners
who trawl the internet and
knows much more than the
vet means that all
processes and advices must
be properly documented as
supporting evidence in
cases of litigation. I
would record AMA (Against
Medical Advices) and
ensure close communication
with the owner.
Life was much simpler in
2009 and in earlier years,
but the vet has to be much
more careful in giving
informed consent and
recording all medical
advices in the litigious
society of first world
Singapore.
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