"Christmas clear out"...sad

Landcruiser

Landcruiser

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It's a well known phenomenon in the veterinary sector that the month or two leading up to Christmas is particularly busy with regard to euthanasia, especially of dogs. This year seems particularly bad.

I work in a small animal, 4 vet practice. We seem to be averaging at least 2 a day at the moment, often more. It's tough on all of us, but I truly don't know how the vets and vet nurses hold it together, especially on the home visits where the whole family is there, sometimes children as well. Sometimes old people, who are losing their only companion. Often these are lovely pets that we all know very well, and have treated since they were pups. We all have our favourites, but every one lost leaves a mark and there are some that we never forget.

I guess I just wanted to raise awareness that vets and their staff will be dealing with this, on top of the usual stresses and difficulties. We all know how awful it is for the owners (we've all been there ourselves), but please remember your vets and their staff, who do their best to give as much time, space, kindness and respect to owners and pets, day after relentless day, that they possibly can.
 
Landcruiser said:
It's a well known phenomenon in the veterinary sector that the month or two leading up to Christmas is particularly busy with regard to euthanasia, especially of dogs. This year seems particularly bad.

I work in a small animal, 4 vet practice. We seem to be averaging at least 2 a day at the moment, often more. It's tough on all of us, but I truly don't know how the vets and vet nurses hold it together, especially on the home visits where the whole family is there, sometimes children as well. Sometimes old people, who are losing their only companion. Often these are lovely pets that we all know very well, and have treated since they were pups. We all have our favourites, but every one lost leaves a mark and there are some that we never forget.

I guess I just wanted to raise awareness that vets and their staff will be dealing with this, on top of the usual stresses and difficulties. We all know how awful it is for the owners (we've all been there ourselves), but please remember your vets and their staff, who do their best to give as much time, space, kindness and respect to owners and pets, day after relentless day, that they possibly can.
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When my T was PTS suddenly, she was a regular at the practice, they all cried. And the senior vet was away but when she got back she rang me and cried.
Doing it day after day, particularly apparently young healthy dogs, must be soul destroying.
 
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My parents had an awful situation a few years ago, their 3yr old Maine coon (who we thought was healthy) suddenly passed away on the examination table after being given his vaccination. My poor mum was there on her own, my dad had Covid at the time so they were isolating from each other.

The staff did everything they could to try and revive him to no avail. They were so kind to my mum.

I went in the next day (very choked up, not particularly able to talk) with chocolates, biscuits and a card for all of the staff. Partly to say Thankyou for taking such good care of my mum, but also because it will have been a horrible day for them all too and I really felt for them.
 
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