Mr A. came in to the animal hospital yesterday with his dog that had been in a bad fight a few days earlier. The skin on the face had that hue that I am all too familiar with, the obvious sign of devitalized tissue and necrotic flesh just below the surface. The doggy was running a high fever, was very lethargic and just looked like she felt like total crap. I felt so sorry for her. She didn't even move as I probed the wounds and evaluated what I knew was going to be a long road to recovery.
The healer in me thought, "Yes! A big wound treatment! I can provide supportive care, daily flushes and debridements, and the necessary surgeries to remove dead tissue and close the defect created by the rotting flesh. I can use my magical sugar/betadine treatment and I know I can make this dog heal and go on to live a happy doggy life!"
The business person in me thought, "Yes! Hospitalization for several days, a lot of physical labor to manage the wounds, at least two surgical debridements and countless medications to keep her free from sepsis during the healing phase. Great income for the clinic!"
Mr A told me during the exam that he lost his job, his house and now his wife. He was out of money.
The human and friend in me thought, "There is no way I can make this person feel guilty for not being able to afford what I know MUST happen to get this dog to heal."
So I recommended we put her to sleep instead. It alleviated her suffering, it alleviated his added stress and removed the always-present issue of not being able to afford the necessary treatment to heal his pet.
I am most definitely going to go broke. My dad did predict this years ago when he told me I'd be the "poorest" vet he knows because I have far too much compassion when it comes to people and animals.
He was right.
Have you not figured out yet that it's the compassion that is going to keep you going as a great vet in CA. :) We need more like you around here.
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