How to make your emergency vet want to punch you

 

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“The guy came in without a shirt or shoes!”

“ I swear, their whole clan was there.”

“ You can tell they were lying…”

These are just some snippets from a dinner conversation I had with a group of emergency vets about what bugged them this past week at work.  Frantic owners, screaming children, vague accounts of the accident are all in a days work.  I suspect there must be a mandatory course on handling chaotic but well-meaning owners somewhere in their education.  A dinner with a group of people of the same profession often leads to some shoptalk and workplace venting.  As I discovered, often the hardest part of their job is not treating the animal, but being able extract the relevant information, do a thorough examination, and communicate with the distraught owner about the situation.

They really just want to help you and your pet.  Though in times of stress, our brains shut down.  We unintentionally become disruptive to the process, possibly to the point of annoying those who are trying to help.  If you have ever visited an emergency animal clinic, think back – did you do anything that may warrant a punch in the face? Here’s what I gathered (and interpreted with some creative license) from that dinner conversation as the most annoying behaviour vets encounter in the examination room.

Paws on the Shore

On our hike

After a week of intense heat in Toronto, I was glad I woke up to a relatively cooler sunny Sunday morning.  I was glad because I was going to join Niki Richer and her crew at Marie Curtis Park in Mississauga for their monthly Paws on the Shore hike.

When I arrived at park there were already a few hikers there with their dogs, waiting for the organizers to arrive.

“Hi! Are you here for the hike?” I asked the closest unoccupied person.  You know, just also to make sure I was at the right place and not stand around like an idiot without a dog.

“Yep! Niki and Maria run the hike and are just running a little late. They’re good friends of mine.  Do you have a dog?”  The nice lady asked.

Hot dogs and cool treats

Scorcher of a week we are having in Toronto! Help your pooch cool down with some of these easy to make delicious frozen goodies.  For most of them (well all of them I think), will be good to serve in their dish.

Side tip: Click here to learn the signs of overheating in your dog.

FROZEN BROTH TREAT CUBES

Frozen chicken broth

Ingredients:
Low sodium chicken broth

Canned dog food

Directions:
Fill the ice tray with low sodium chicken broth or canned dog food (or a mix of the two) and let it freeze till solid.  Once frozen, remove and keep the ice cubed treats in a ziplock bag. Give one or two at a time to your dog for a delicious refreshing treat.

For more cool treats, continue reading:

How to pick a dog trainer

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Also! Check out our “Top 5 questions to ask a dog trainer“

Pet First Aid Certified! Yes we are…

I'll fix your booboo!

Q: Do I know how to bandage my dog if he gets hurt?

A: No.

Q: What do I do first if my dog ingested a bag of chocolates?

A: I don’t know.

Not very good answers when I have a precious little pug in my charge.  After all, he didn’t asked to be my pet.  I picked him, and he is stuck with me.

When my friend told me of a full day pet first aid course she signed up for, I thought it would be a good idea to join her.  I am sure we’ve all picked up bits and pieces on how to deal with people emergencies, but are probably clueless about animals.

Failure to scoop your dog’s poop can land you a fine of $5000

That’s for the citizens of Guelph anyway.  We are a bit luckier.  City of Toronto’s fine for the same offense is $225.

With Toronto Star’s recent article regarding city by-law enforcement officers out and about tightening the leash on dog walkers and owners, catching any by-law violations, we thought it might be helpful to clarify your responsibilities as an owner to help prevent any encounters with these officers, fines or having your dog seized or impounded by the City.

While you are out and about…

• All dogs must remain on leash in all parks, green spaces, or waterfront areas except in designated off-leash areas
• Leash must be no more than two meters in length (so, no longer than standard 6 ft leash)
• Registration tag must be fixed securely on the dog it is issued to at all times

Best dog training treat bag ever

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