The Longest Day

Last Wednesday was pretty rough. This was not a typical day for me. Here were my appointments:

- Puppy with vaginal discharge after her spay last week (no, I didn't perform it) whose owner was freaking out. Looked like puppy vaginitis.
- Newly adopted rescue dog, just preventive care. Fairly straightforward.
- Eye recheck for a dog with red irritated eyes, improved but not resolved.
- Rechecks for kittens who had upper respiratory infections, now resolved.
- Dog with recurring urinary tract infections, unable to get urine since she went just before her appointment.
- Dog with horrible skin issues (a breed who is notorious for severe allergies) whose owner repeatedly declines workup, changes the dog's diet frequently without consulting us, and sometimes forgets flea preventative then wonders why the dog's skin is always messed up. Repeat my speech on dog allergies for the 3rd? 4th? 100th? time with that client.
- Dog who needs vaccines but the owners have no idea what he needs or when he last had vaccines. They sat there with their arms folded across their chest as though I was supposed to use my magic psychic powers to figure that out.
- Ancient dog with 7-8 major problems and an owner with no money who wants to chat about everything that *could* be done for the dog but that they won't do for the dog. This appointment set me behind schedule by about 15-20 minutes.
- Dog ear infection recheck. I'm only allocated 20 minutes because it's a recheck appointment but hey doc, the dog is limping now too, could you check that out in less time than you usually have for a new problem?
- Itchy cat recheck. Owner just changed to limited ingredient diet and has been keeping all cats on monthly flea preventative. Say a silent thanks for this client because they are awesome.
- Recheck of cat being pet sitted by owner's EXTREMELY high-strung and rude daughter. Ugh.
- Wellness exam for a grumpy cat whose owner is pretty awesome.
- 30 minutes before closing emergency hit by car stray kitten who is 95% dead. Have to help it the rest of the way.

I came home, had a beer, and cried.