Trying to get through

(Extra points for readers who immediately grok the musical allusion in the post title!)

We are busy here in VBB central with our new puppy, so here is another guest post for you this morning:

So after mumbletymumble years in the field of veterinary medicine, I thought I was getting pretty good at client communication. Whenever I start to think I'm getting good at something, I'm proven wrong. This time, my own husband played a role in snapping me back to reality. Here's the story...

A couple of years ago, I rescued a very nice boxer who had been hit by a car. He had horrible comminuted fractures of his right hind leg and needed an external fixator that remained for about 3 months. Not long after that, he pilfered a corn cob off my 2 year old son's plate and needed surgery. He also had heartworms when we adopted him, but we never seemed to get around to treating them (you know the saying about vets' pets!). [FYI for readers who do not know the saying about vets' pets - it's the same idea as "the cobbler's children go barefoot" or, I suppose "the teacher's children flunk out".... :) -VBB] Fast forward to this week.

I decided that I would finally treat him for the heartworms. Bloodwork was good and his lungs were stable. I knew it would be a pain to restrict his activity, but decided now was as good as any other time. So I gave him the first injection of immiticide and took him home to start the long confinement. I thought I explained to my husband that letting him run around the back yard could KILLhim. But I don't think the point sunk in. So the next day, not 6 weeks from now, but the VERY next day, I come home to see guess who running around the back yard! At first, I was very angry and offended that my husband had so little respect for my medical recommendations. But the more I thought about it, I realized it was my own fault.

Normally, before starting heartworm treatment, I bring a client in to the clinic and sit down with them to explain heartworms, the treatment, and the seriousness of following the exercise restrictions. I did not do this for my husband, but I am fixing that mistake now. This morning, I took the dog back to the clinic and I plan to let him come home after my husband comes in for a proper heartworm consultation. Incidentally, I live about an hour away from my office. Hehe.

Thanks for sharing, Gentle Reader!