“Oh it must be so much fun working here.”

                                                              

Blogging  on misfit Island

It must be so much fun working here? 

 Working as a veterinary technician for upwards of 25 years now I have heard this statement more often than I would care to count. 

If it’s said in earshot of my employer I smile and say "yes it sure is".

So, what do you think?  That we sit in the back under rainbows listening to harp music  while we play with puppies and kittens all day and get paid for it?

  Working with animals is still WORKING. Oh sure, we occasionally get to hold  baby animals from time to time, but normally that baby is hospitalized because it's sick and usually very sick .Vomiting, projectile diarrhea, flea infestation, parasites. these things aren’t considered fun to deal with even to a seasoned gal like myself.

Supplies must be ordered, instrument’s need to be sterilized . There’s tons of dirty poo and pee stained laundry to wash, cages to climb into and scrub. Medications to be given to patients who don’t want it, and will bite, scratch, and claw you.

There are floors that constantly need to be moped and splattered bits of God knows what on every wall. You’re on your feet non-stop and emergencies don’t take a lunch break so neither do you. You must educate clients and take phone calls,messages and while doing all of this the doctors need your help too .

And to think I went to school for this.

Working with animals is not fun….. It’s a calling it’s what you do. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry it will break your back and break your heart.  

 

Don't be afraid to trim your pets nails

                   

   Throughout my many years as a veterinary technician it seems to me that pet owners were afraid to trim their pet’s nails.  So I always made it a point to show people how easy it can be, I would do a few and then let them try.  Usually they left very happy and empowered by my lessen.

Then one day……..

The doctor asked me to go into a room and trim a puppies nails.  I opened the door and saw a tiny Maltese sitting on the table, behind him a very nice older lady wearing a poncho.  I smiled and introduced myself and began trimming “now you try it” , I said to the lady. “ Oh, I couldn’t” she protested politely.“Don’t be afraid  ”, I said, “no ,no I can’t”,  she said again. “Oh sure, you can just give it a try” I said, and smiled.  And that’s when she said it, I’ll never forget it. She looked right at me and said “I can’t, I only have one hand”.  You see, she was wearing a poncho, I had no way of knowing.  Anyway, I finished the nails quickly turned and said "alrightie then, you’re all set" and I sputtered out of the room.

So here are a few tips.  If you’re so inclined to trim your pets nails.

   1.    You should start early with your pet getting them used to you, touching their paws.  Make it a good experience.  Start out slow.  Don’t just grab their foot ,and remember they don’t understand that you’re just trying to help so be patient.

   2.  Use treats and praise.  This will make your pet more comfortable with you holding his paw.

            If you do one or two nails while sitting on the couch watching TV with your pet, that’s fine .

   3.    There’s an old wives tale that if you cut the quick, your pet will bleed to death.  That’s not true.  And if you do make the nail bleed, they sell a septic powder at pet shops, or you can use flower or cornstarch or even baby powder will help stop the bleeding.

         So don’t panic.  It’ll will be fine. 

   4.    Hold the paw with one hand and push the hair away with your fingers and use your other hand (assuming you have two, if not get someone to help)  to cut with. If the nail is white, you will probably see the quick and be able to cut before it, but if the nail is black, just cut where the nail starts to bend at the tip and you’re usually safe. 

   5.     And remember if you’re calm your pet will more respective to you.  And although most pets   don’t like having their nails trimmed it can avoid a costly vet visit should one split or crack.

   6.      Don’t be afraid to use a muzzle.  If your dog gets grumpy , still remain calm, take your time. 

           Good luck

 

Recovering

7/25/2012  

                                                                    misfit Island mom  

So, it’s been two weeks post my surgery to remove my gravity stricken uterus and return my bladder and pelvic floor to their original places. Sort of like an interior makeover (just my luck, a makeover no one can see).

Anyway, sitting on my industrial-strength orthopedic seat cushion ring because my ass hurts, I was reminded of the last time I was forced to sit on the cushion ring. It just so happens, it was the last time I had a tenant living in my uterus, some 17 years ago.

Only that time it was a Batman swimming pool float ring borrowed from my nephew. I needed it greatly after a horrific episiotomy because I had given birth to a toddler. Yes, a labor so long we saw for four shift changes, three doctors retirement parties and two hospital grand reopening’s . When it was all said and done my toddler/ baby and I walked out of the hospital together holding hands.

This is just the blogger version of this story to tell about the birth of my second child. It’s rather a lengthy tale teeming with twists and turns, an unyielding roller coaster ride of emotions that could rival Homers Odyssey. But that’s for another time.

        https://sites.google.com/site/doggiedareyadesigns/

           One of my nurses    Bernie                      

surgery tommrow 7/9/12

So @ 47 it seems my body is turning on me. I've gotten used to the extra pounds the jiggling  the strange cracking sounds when I move the huffing while climbing steps and that grunting thing i so often do now.
But now it seems my organs are turning on me. My uterus and I aren't getting along and its decided to move out and it wants to take a few things with it....So tomorrow my Doctor slash Lawyer will separate it, from me and negotiate custody of my bladder....wish me luck

Meet Sigwa

So, I just read a story about a deformed kitten named Corky and it prompted me to tell you about one of my girls here on Misfit Island.

Now being a veterinary technician we see a lot of things, but this little girl was something to see.

She arrived in a trap with animal control to be euthanized. He said she’d been living behind a gas station. She was a frightened mess, greasy, dirty and emaciated. Once out of the trap she hit the floor and started running. She was running on just her front feet like a handstand, with her back legs twisting above her like a helicopter.

Shocked, we all stood staring, and then burst out laughing having never seen anything like it. Then I heard it, what I always hear when some poor deformed thing finds its way anywhere near me, “Looks like another one headed for Misfit Island.”

Well after she calmed down it seemed she didn’t always walk on her hands. Her back legs are on backwards and she manages to use one part of her leg like a knee but only one works well .It’s kind of like she wearing feety pajamas but her feet aren’t in the foot area. Anyway, on top of that she had a bad jaw infection, fleas, worms and while spaying her we removed her back claws as they found to be problematic for her. She also has extra toes, eight on each foot.

I brought her home to my island and soon she fit right in with all the others. She gets around just fine, up and down beds across floors and even climbs the stairs sometimes. She grew into a happy healthy beautiful Maine Coon type long hair cat with brilliant green eyes. I never considered surgery for her because in the past it hasn’t worked out that well so I often opt not to.

As a foot note she has married our male cat Frog Cat (born without knee bones but that’s another story) and they are very happy.

                                                        2009                                                                                              7/2012

        Corky story

                    MY ART