Vets Unleashed

Older and Wiser

noreply@blogger.com (Louise Mesher, DVM) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:58:00 +0000

When I first meet new clients, they often remark on what they think my job must be...."it must be so interesting/fun/rewarding" (when I'm there to vaccinate their pet), or "it must be so hard/heartbreaking/gut-wrenching" (when I'm there to euthanize their pet). The fact is, it is all of those things. On any one day, my technician and I may experience many emotions.

Recently, I've been talking to lots of veterinarians about this job since I'm planning on hiring another full time vet soon. It's interesting hearing them describe what they like to do the most - what kind of cases they like to see, what challenges them and what rewards them. I fish around, trying to hear the passion and trying to see what drives them. I'm looking for the perfect fit, and that means, among other things, someone who loves palliative care and geriatric medicine.

I love old animals. Kind of like old people, they have a dignity, a wisdom and a calmness. My favorite thing, professionally speaking at least, is to take a decrepit, painful animal that is plagued by a bunch of small-to-large problems and to turn them around. To give freedom from pain, the renewed desire to play with a ball, the cessation of "accidents" in the house or the ability to go upstairs to sleep with their owner again......now that is rewarding.

Anyway, in talking to one of the veterinarians who applied for this position, she verbalized why palliative care and caring for geriatric pets is so rewarding....and far more eloquently than I could have. She hit the nail on the head. She said that these old dogs and cats have given so much to their owners for so long. They haven't asked for much for most of their lives and are happy with very little. Then, when they become elderly, and get the inevitable pain or incontinence that comes along with that, the owners finally have a chance to give something back to them. It is such a soul-nourishing thing to help these pets not just because its nice to give them comfort or improved ambulation, but because also we see the joy that the owners feel in being able to give back to their beloved and faithful companions. These devoted owners (and believe me, I've seen some pretty amazing acts of devotion on the part of some dedicated and loving owners) are thrilled to be able to give back to their pets - finally, after years of their pets giving to them.

People sometimes think that to be a vet, you need to love animals. This is true....but the reality is that it is as much about the people as it is about the animals. When a person is lucky enough to get their pet to a ripe-old age, that's when they get their opportunity to really shine. That's when we see acts of selflessness and patience. It feels great to be able to help them give back. They feel good and so do I.....and hopefully, so does old Rover.

The Beauty of Portland

noreply@blogger.com (Louise Mesher, DVM) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Mt. Hood as seen from
the Willamette Valley

When I was in Vet school in Canada, for some reason I really wanted to move to Portland when I graduated. When I first got the idea in my head in my final year of school, I had never even been to Portland. I knew very little about Portland other than that the beautiful Oregon Coast was nearby and it was not too big. I had gone to law school in Victoria, BC prior to Vet school, so I already knew I loved the Pacific NW, but I had never been to Portland. My brother lived in Seattle then, and I came to interview for my first job as a veterinarian at some Washington and Portland clinics. None of the Portland ones I interviewed at were quite right at the time, and I ended up in Olympia. A couple of years later, I really, really wanted to move to Portland, and I took a job at Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital.

I'm still not sure why the drive to get to Portland was so strong, though I'm so glad it was. I met my husband here, had a baby here, met many fabulous people and friends here and started my life as a house call vet here. Its a beautiful city, as you know. I love to garden, and everything (almost) grows here. It's lush, and green, and there are mountains and trees and bridges. After living here for 10 years, and driving countless miles day in and day out, I still think its beautiful. Every time I drive up over the Markham bridge I think that.

But, actually, the most beautiful part of Portland to me is the animal-loving part of it....and not just the fact that people are willing to pay for veterinary care. It's that people are interested in their dogs and cats enough that this city supports some serious dog (and cat) culture. It speaks volumes about the heart of the people, and their values. (I have never really understood people who don't like animals). There are some really talented and dedicated people working in all kinds of animal-related fields here. We have animal massage therapists, acupuncturists, a very busy agility community and a bunch of other dog sporting groups, many dog parks, doggie daycares and on and on. Amazing really. And some very, very good rescue groups.

The other day, my technician and I were trying to decide where to make a donation in honor of one of my favorite long time patients who had passed away. I had heard good things about Family Dogs New Life Shelter, so I looked at their website. The people who run this organization epitomize what I feel is cool about Portland. They have made some really unique videos, they call "Piteos", to highlight the sweetness of the Pitbulls that they have there for adoption. Jen and I watched Piteo after Piteo....we laughed, we cried. If you haven't seen them, you should go watch them.

The fact that there are these cool people who make these videos and run these shelters, and an animal-loving culture that supports them is what I perceive to be the real beauty of Portland. I love it here!

Keeping Hope Alive

noreply@blogger.com (Louise Mesher, DVM) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:51:00 +0000

Last time I promised you a story that would illustrate how amazing my clients are. Prepare to be amazed, and maybe even inspired.

Last fall, I had a patient who was a young Labrador with end-stage terminal cancer. A really sweet, beautiful dog, with really sweet owners. They were devoted to her and to ensuring her last weeks were as comfortable as possible. They were devastated, of course, but had such compassion and grace....they were truly exceptional. Anyway, sadly but inevitably, the day came that we had to euthanize their beloved friend. They were heart-broken. But - and here is the amazing part - before I left their house, they gave me an additional chunk of money to be used if I ever came across somebody who needed palliative care for their pet but couldn't afford to do so. I was stunned at their selflessness and generosity.

A few weeks later, I got called out to euthanize a dog named Hope. Seriously, that was, and is, her name. Hope is owned by a lovely woman who has significant financial and health problems. Hope greeted us at the door with a wagging tail and kisses. She is also a Labrador, and very, very sweet. The owner knew that Hope had some medical issues, such as arthritis, that were impairing her quality of life, and she believed that some lumps she had were almost certainly cancer. She was very upset at the prospect of losing Hope.

Occasionally it does happen that I get called to euthanize a pet that I don't think is ready to pass on. Often in those cases I can offer some simple things that can greatly improve the quality of a pet's life - like arthritis medication, for example. Well, in this case, the stars were aligned, and I had some financial backing from my other clients from the month before. I was able to take samples from Hope's lumps and determine that she does not have cancer.....thanks to this generous donation. I was also able to give Hope some medication for arthritis and treat a urinary tract infection. Viola.....a greatly improved quality of life and a relieved and happy owner. And a very happy veterinarian!

I notified and thanked my clients who had donated the money that allowed Hope to get the testing she needed, and , unbelievably, they sent more money to go toward "Keeping Hope Alive". I kid you not. Hope is all set for arthritis medication for a while, thanks to the kindness of total strangers to her and her owner. Animal lovers are awesome!

Strangely, this fall I had several different clients approach me about setting up some kind of a nonprofit to help with palliative care for pets whose owners don't have the resources. They have the passion and the skills to actually make that happen eventually - I'm going to introduce them all and see what happens. It's a great idea, for sure. Its just in its embryonic stages right now, but it may turn into something incredible.

In the meantime, we are keeping Hope alive.....

Looking Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Louise Mesher, DVM) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:48:00 +0000

2012 will be the year of balance for me. Last year was a good year in many, many ways. At Home Veterinary Services is growing in leaps and bounds. I have hired an additional full time technician (another Jen.....having two techs named Jen makes it easier for you and harder for me) and a part time technician, Tara. We had the good fortune to meet many new clients....devoted pet owners and wonderful people.

We had a few challenges too - personal losses - in our family, of our pets, and a burglary of our business supplies and equipment that really set us back. I lost many of my favorite patients and grieved alongside their owners. It is always hard. And, like many business owners, we worked very, very many hours.

We have high hopes for this year. At Home Veterinary Services just incorporated, and we will probably be needing to find a larger space to house our business (It would be really great if I didn't have to share my washer and dryer with the business --really great. You can imagine the types of laundry that this practice generates). I expect we will have to hire a full time office manager at some point soon. And, perhaps of more relevance to my clients, is the fact that we will soon be looking for another vet to hire. We'll need to find a vet that is the right fit - deeply compassionate, flexible, creative, personable and adventurous (if any of you know a vet that would be just perfect, send them my way!). We want to expand our hours of operation and our ability to take care of our current clients. I am very excited about this because I miss having another vet to bounce cases off, and I really want to be able to provide prompt service to my clients and patients. I currently have clients as far east as Welches, as far south as Stayton, as far west as Forest Grove and as far north as the Columbia River. We cover a lot of ground. I love the range and variety, but you can imagine the logistical problems it presents.

Anyway, all of that, hopefully, will lead to balance in my life -or at least a little room to breathe. Then again, I do have a list of "projects" swirling around in my head. January is such a hopeful month - so fresh and new and optimistic! I want to thank all my friends and family for putting up with my "busy-ness" and thank all my incredible clients who have kept me so busy. I am grateful for the faith and trust you put in me, and for allowing me to see the beautiful bond that you share with your pets. It's what drives me.

Next time I'll share a story to illustrate how amazing my clients are - I am often in awe of you people.

Happy New Year!

Why I Love Being a House Call Vet

noreply@blogger.com (Louise Mesher, DVM) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:44:00 +0000

I have been a practicing veterinarian for over 12 years now.....though sometimes I find that hard to believe. I have "tried-on" many different types of practice over the years. When I first graduated from vet school in 1999, I worked in a busy mixed practice in Olympia (even treated some sheep, goats and pigs occasionally). Then I did a stint as a feline-only vet - which I greatly enjoyed. I've also done some work as a shelter vet, and three years working as an emergency vet at DoveLewis. These were all very different, interesting experiences.....and I tried really hard to do a good job at each of those positions. But, I have to admit that I have never been as happy practicing veterinary medicine as I have been as a house call vet. None of those other jobs fit me so well as being a mobile vet does. As most of you know, finally finding your niche is a wonderful thing. Being a house call vet just feels right to me.

Part of it may be being my own boss, I guess.....though my first position as a house call vet in 2004 was working for someone else. Even then I loved it. Now that I have my own business, its fantastic still - though I do work more hours than ever before.

Being a house call vet is a much more personal, relaxed way to practice. I have fun on the drive to each appointment with my veterinary technicians, who are very witty. We get to enjoy seeing the sights of the city, and the spring flowers and fall leaves - much better than being cooped up in a windowless room all day. Usually we can ignore the rain, but the traffic is sometimes harder to overcome. Each new house call is a bit of an adventure - a new house, a new garden, a new client and a beautiful new patient. Over time, these clients and pets become familiar and become friends. The animals are usually more relaxed in the home, and they will often bring us their toys to play with, or accept petting, love and treats. They seem to recover from the stress of the exam more quickly than when they go into the clinic, and I also enjoy seeing them in their own environment. Sometimes I can more accurately determine why a pet is peeing in the corner, or having a hard time navigating the stairs when I see their set-up at home. In some ways, being a good vet in the patient's home is easier than trying to figure stuff out in the clinic.

I like talking to pet owners in their home - they are relaxed, they have my undivided attention, and they are so very appreciative of the fact that their animal is relaxed. I have amazing clients, and they are very concerned about their pet's stress and comfort. Although this level of comfort and freedom from stress is always important, it is never as important as with a geriatric animal or when it comes time to make end-of-life decisions. In my opinion, though it is always a very difficult and painful thing, euthanasia of your dog or cat at home, if that choice is possible, is almost always preferable to taking them in to a clinic. At home euthanasia is a peaceful, loving and sacred act and many people express afterward that they will never do it any other way in the future with their other pets.

So, although I sometimes miss surgery or miss the equipment available to me in a vet hospital, I'll never go back. There are definitely some challenges involved with house call practice, but my exceptional clients, relaxed patients, and the ever-changing scenery will continue to reward me. Though my days are sometimes long, often it doesn't even seem like work. It feels more like taking my friends along to visit other friends, and to talk about and play with their dogs and cats. I'm a lucky woman.

The Importance of Remembering

noreply@blogger.com (Louise Mesher, DVM) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:42:00 +0000

I have been meaning to start a blog for over a year now, and there have been many times that I've thought "now THAT would be a great blog post". Other more pressing things have gotten in the way, until now....now that I've been inspired by the event I attended this evening.

Tonight I went to the annual Pet Remembrance Ceremony presented by DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital and Dignified Pet Services. It was held at The Old Church in downtown Portland, which is a beautiful venue. I went last year too, and I know that this will be an annual tradition for me now.

For those of you who have not gone, it is a relatively short but lovely gathering of animal lovers in our community - most of whom have either lost a beloved pet companion or are there to support their friends and loved ones who have. There are a few musical performances, and several guest speakers. One of my best friends, Enid Traisman, who is the Director of the Pet Loss Support Program at DoveLewis is usually one of the guest speakers. Tonight she spoke of ways to help cope with the loss of your pet as you face the holidays - often a particularly difficult time of the year for those who have suffered loss. The attendees were then invited to go down to the front of the church to light a candle in memory of their lost pet. By the end, there were hundreds of tiny candles glowing up there on the alter. Beautiful...and bittersweet.

Those who know me well know that it's hard for me to leave my house again once I'm finally back home after the workday. However, I will continue to go annually for several reasons. First, I find it to be a meaningful, symbolic way to remember my own beloved animals that I've lost over the years....most recently my 16 year old dog, Finnegan, who passed away in February.

As time passes, these losses get a little less raw, but the relationships I have with and the love I have for these amazing souls is still very, very important to me. Secondly, I feel the need to light a candle to represent all the beautiful animals that I've helped transition on this year. I cheated a little - we were only supposed to light one candle - but I lit one for my own animals and one for my sweet patients that I've lost this year. I light this second candle as an acknowledgement that each of these lives was, and is, very important, and to honor the special bond they have with their owners - my clients and friends. Some of their owners wanted to be there but couldn't. Others choose to grieve in their own special way. The candle I lit for all of my patients who have passed on this year is just a little flame, but I feel the enormity of what it represents. I have witnessed the incredible love that these people have shared with their dogs and cats, and I am honored to have been invited into their homes to help them.

Leaving my warm house tonight to pay tribute to these amazing animals and their loving and special owners is the least I can do. Many tears were falling in that church tonight, but it was a good and powerful thing. Cathartic, really.

I invite you all to join us next year.