8.00 – 8.30am
Arrive at work. First half hour of the working day is spent checking in-patients, liaising with the nursing team about any developments overnight, and checking the day’s list.
9am-11am
Morning consultations – these can be varied. We have two consulting rooms one for dogs and one for cats and other small animals. I started today with vaccinations on a very sweet little puppy. Part of my job is to help the animal but the other and just as important part is to support the owners. Next on the list is an elderly cat that had been getting progressively quieter over the past few months – arthritis was diagnosed and he was given a course of treatment and a special diet to help his joints. Then a full health check on a female dog prior to her spay surgery.
A few more routine consultations and then the last appointment of the morning. A little bitch for a pre-natal scan - definitely pregnant and the puppies look nice and healthy. Looking forward to seeing them in person in a few days time.
11-11.30am
Ward rounds with all staff (nurses as well as receptionists) to review both hospitalised patients and days patients in for procedures. Catch up with any messages that have come in during morning surgery and a well deserved cup of tea before starting operations for the day.
11.30am-3.30pm
Three cat neuters – one female and two males (one of which was feral and not very co-operative); a bitch spay (removing her uterus and ovaries); endoscopy on a cat with a sore throat – removed a blade of grass; x-rays on a cats chest – asthma cats are allergic to us as some people are allergic to cats; remove a large wart from a dog’s ear and finally dental treatment for a rabbit with overgrown molars.
3.30-4.00pm
A quick bite to eat and a catch up with my daughter Carys for a quick read of Peppa Pig
4pm-7pm
More consulting this evening, again very varied. Amongst others a ferret for a nail clip; aweigh and worm on a tortoise; a hamster with a skin problem; a cat with a sore eye; a dog for a pet passport (lucky thing is off to the south of France on holiday later in the year) – the list is endless. Thank goodness the dog with the full anal glands was last on the list. For all of you out there who know what anal glands smell like you will know why I am glad it is last! The rest of you are very lucky.
7pm-7.30pm
Ward rounds again and ensure that in-patients are settled down for the night. Telephone two owners with lab test results and discuss ongoing treatment. Reply to an e-mail from a referring vet about an ongoing medical case and then telephone owner to book dog in for investigations.
8pm
Arrive home for the day in time to read a bedtime story to Carys, have dinner with Kirsty and hopefully relax for the night.
9.30pm
Called back to the surgery to a cat that had been in a road accident. Intravenous drip, x-rays and two hours of surgery later to repair a ruptured diaphragm. Once she is awake and stable I leave her in the capable hands of the on-call nurse.
Midnight
Home to bed.