Dog Bites (OT)

In case you think you might want to live in a rural paradise like the gorgeous Finger Lakes, you might want to think again.

My dog Butters got bitten by another doggie last Thursday. He got a rather nasty deep gash on his foreleg.

I called our vet. What, in the summer? It's the busy season. No dice; no openings. Sorry.

The next day I called several other vets. One said they could start the weeks-long procedure to accept us as a client, but the first visit couldn't be for "acute care."

So yesterday morning I called our existing vet again and wheedled and whined and complained and cajoled. It wasn't strategic; I was upset and frustrated.

They called back at 9:20 or so. I could bring him in at 11:00.

It's a 20-minute drive. We arrived at five minutes to 11:00. They gave us a pager, and we wandered about the parking lot and grounds...for an hour. Pager goes off at five minutes to noon, and we transitioned to a waiting room. 

Where we waited for another 25 minutes. What, were they punishing me?! The thought crossed my mind. Do you ever have to wait so long that you have to make  a decision about how long you will wait? I was getting to that point.

Vet came in. Not a problem: the wound will heal, the treatment is simple. The vet spent two minutes and 40 seconds with us and off he goes. (I was timing everything on purpose because I was curious.)

At checkout, I had to wait for the file, and for the medications to "come down." That usually happens right away, but, of course, not this time. The minutes started piling up again.

Protest bark
Mind you, this is not just me griping for my own sake. Butters doesn't do well at the vet. In fact, he does worse at the vet than anywhere else. He gets all ramped up, anxious, upset, fractious, barking. Can't calm down. When I try to calm him and hush him he has a wild look in his eye and fights me when I try to control his head and his attention. Halfway through the wait for the checkout, there are dogs every which way and he's getting harder to control, harder to calm down. I decided to move him outside to the car. It was safe: his leash was tethered and all the windows and the sunroof were open, and it wasn't too hot, and there was a breeze. He gets anxious when I leave him, though—it's a shame, but he's not a car dog—so he starts into what I call the "protest bark," which is an endless series of short, sharp staccato barks, as if he's saying "No! No! No! No! No!" Lots of anxiety coming through in that bark. To me, at least, because I know him.

From inside, I can hear this continuing out in the parking lot. I waited another ten minutes, getting more and more stressed out, then made a decision. I left. Took him home, where he immediately calmed down and went to sleep. Wish I could do that!

So that's another 40 minute round trip. After I returned, the bill and the medicines are ready. I can use my own antimicrobial spray, so all we have to pay for is the visit and the antibiotics.

Total time invested: 14 minutes on the phone (I didn't count the time I spent calling other vets), 80 minutes driving, 110 minutes waiting: 204 minutes total—three hours and 24 minutes—for 160 seconds with the vet. The total bill wasn't so bad—$102, $70 for the visit and the rest for medications. But still, $70 for the visit works out to about 44¢ per second, or $1,575.00/hr. Seems a bit much when you put it that way.

I wouldn't mind, but for the hassle and the delay. And the uncertainty. Especially the uncertainty. Rural life can sometimes feel like living in a secret little pocket of third-world country in the midst of a first-world one. It wasn't easy getting that appointment. It really wasn't a sure thing that I could get him seen at all. There's a certain amount of stress built into that. And the visit didn't happen until the fifth day after the incident, which stressed me out in the meantime. Then, the extended wait hanging around the practice was unnecessarily hard on the dog.

So that was my day.

How was yours?

Let it go
Part of the reason I left is that I had worked myself into a bad mood. Resentful and troubled. I confess I did wonder if it's even ethical to own a pet where I live, where it's so difficult to get adequate veterinary care. If you live in a populated area where you have a choice of grocery stores and there are actually a few restaurants you want to eat at, where you can find tradesmen when you need them and keep a lawn care service or household help for some reasonable length of time, where the car dealer isn't an hour and fifteen minutes away, where you can count on medical care for yourself and veterinary care for your pet without spending significant lengths of time in doubt—well, maybe just do what a lot of people do in my area, and rent a lake cottage in a rural area for a week or two. Enjoy the country life for some limited reasonable interlude, then go back home.

By the time I got back to the vet's to pay the bill and pick up the meds, though, I had already forgiven. My bad mood was gone. There were good things about the experience. I got to have a nice long conversation in the parking lot with a woman who was also waiting, who had a very elegant-looking four-month-old dog with an unusual personality. We talked animals for twenty minutes. I got to see another killdeer, who had laid her eggs in the gravel at the corner of the parking lot. It was much more fun to observe her now that I know how they act and why. I allowed her to lead me away from her eggs because I understood that's what she wants. The weather was beautiful. I passed a couple of deer in a field who posed for a picture (although all I had with me was the phone, boo-hoo). And Butters' leg isn't a bad wound; it wasn't infected; the vet did get to us in the end; and it's something that will heal—the prognosis is good. There's a lot to be thankful for in all that.

So it's all okay. Just the challenges in the course of a day. You can't concentrate on the bad parts; gotta look on the bright side, and let the other things go.

Mike

Original contents copyright 2024 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Tom Duffy: "Sorry to hear about your stressful day. Animal care has been hard hit, much like getting in to see a primary care physician if you don't have one. There were a significant number of retirements during COVID affecting both animal and human healthcare. At the same time, record numbers of people were getting pets for the first time while we all isolated at home. The cost of vet care has increased significantly leading to animal shelters being overwhelmed in many areas of the country as people give up their first pets post-pandemic. Owning a pet should be a lifelong commitment; many people weren't prepared for that.

"In terms of your cost-per-minute analysis, maybe it will make you feel better if you consider that you're really paying for a vet's expertise and experience. You no longer have to worry about Butter's being OK."

Joseph Kashi: "The New York Times had this coincidentally-timely article today about what's driving the change in vet charges. When the excellent local vet clinic that we used for two decades was bought out by VCA upon the owner's retirement, service seemed to degenerate and waiting times for appointments lengthened. Some months later, I happened to mention this to the retired owner, who told me that the supply of licensed vets is not keeping up with demand, causing a national strain upon the delivery of vet services. In our case, we were lucky because our fairly rural Alaska area had another, locally owned clinic that's excellent and already had us on their books as existing clients, so our change-over was easy. I've heard other pet owners, though, tell me of recent problems similar to yours, even for emergencies."

John Nollendorfs: "I think small animal vets have gotten totally greedy. Took our two cats in for their rabbies shots and checkup. 'How about we give them distemper shot too?' Oh, and how about flea and tick control? For the dog too? Bottom line, we were $860 poorer after spending only an hour for our appointment."

IanS: "In the UK, vet bills have rocketed the last few years, so much that an anti-competitive investigation is being launched. It's not helped that so many people got a dog in lockdown, and, after Brexit, so many European vets decided not to carry on working in the UK. Perfect storm!"

William Glokas: "How about seeing a doctor here on Cape Cod? They are all booked and you have to go to Urgent Care for treatment. A friend was having breathing issues and when he went to Urgent Care he was having a heart attack! They called an ambulance and sent him to Cape Cod Hospital."

Dan Khong: "The struggles and pressures in life strengthen one's resolve and personality and point us to the good parts that we often take for granted. If not for the vet visit, you would not have made a new lady friend and enjoyed some pretty deer. I am glad you saw the silver lining at the edge of the dark cloud."

Geoff Wittig: "I'd cut your vet a little more slack. As a rural family doctor I take care of several of the local veterinarians. They're delightful people. It's a hard life; they take night calls just like I do. They have the same challenges with anxious, frightened patients in pain. And their patients probably bite more often than mine do. In a farming area they're not just seeing cats and Labradors; they're also seeing Holsteins and hogs, tending to the herds of local dairy farms and such. Especially in the summer their workload can be overwhelming, and every animal has to be seen right away, today. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

"I certainly appreciate how stressful and aggravating it is to be subjected to a long wait for care with an agitated dog. Or child, or elderly parent. But trust me, the people on the other side of the counter are stressed too. Every time we squeeze in another patient, it means we get further behind and all subsequent appointments run even later. And those folks are even angrier. No good deed goes unpunished."

Kye Wood: "Cesar Millan, How to Raise the Perfect Dog. It will transform Butters. And your relationship with him. If you apply it. I have a free-range choccie lab who does whatever she wants but is still able to go out on full voice control. It's never too late to stop them being fearful, which they get from their owners' anxiety. It's a crappily written book. But the information and technical explanations are worth the effort."

Comments

[John Krumm]

Sounds like you just described why so many rural people become, for better or worse, do-it-yourself vets and even primary care providers. I grew up in rural California, in a rented old farmhouse (dad a country teacher) and our pets were fed, and that was about it. They were half wild. My dog was hit by a tractor, and we did not take it to the vet. My dad put him down. These days, we feel lucky to have a good, affordable vet, and we have annual checkups and buy the overly expensive combo heartworm/tick/flea pills they recommend. We've spent thousands on fixing a broken leg (credit card applied for at the vet). Different worlds.

[Herman Krieger]

Next time, you might try calling a mobile vet.


"Day in the Life of a Mobile Vet"
https://hermankrieger.com/vet,htm

[David Brown]

Mike: I feel your pain and frustration. My old dog is at the vet today for surgery. It took six weeks to schedule it. Not an emergency, but needs to be done. He’s not a happy camper at the vet, either.

I’ve been a client of this practice for over 30 years, and on the 5th and 6th dogs. The founding vet, since retired, was also a friend and I had his personal cell number. The new vet that bought the practice is great, but the practice has expanded so much that it is harder and harder to get in there. Oh, well. Fortunately, where I live, there are vet emergency rooms, and non-emergency walk-in care facilities. Used one of those a few months ago when this same dog had a cyst burst and he was bleeding!

We are now very retired. Way back in our 40s, we considered moving to the country upon retirement. The deal breaker was when we were in one really nice small town, but I asked where the ambulance would have to come from. Not even close!

[Jim Kofron]

Ahhh Mike, my ex had a 5 year old curly-coat in at the vets this week to deal with what turned out to be a nasal tumor that had infiltrated her frontal lobe. Post surgery, she was having seizures and the decision was made to put her down. That's a bad day. Yours was just exceptionally annoying...

Best,

Jim

[Patrick]

I live in an urban area where I'm surrounded by vets, and I can tell you it's not any easier to get my dog in here. I'm not sure what's going on, but it started with the pandemic.

[Rick Baumhauer]

The situation isn't great in non-rural areas, either. There was a spike in pet ownership during Covid (followed by a smaller spike in surrenders to shelters, sadly), and vets are still overwhelmed. With the long-term pet ownership trend going up, the usual private equity and large conglomerate vultures have bought up the majority of the large vet chains in recent years, where they're proceeding to do what they do: cuts costs at the expense of service.

In addition, vets have very high rates of burnout and suicide. Every day, they have to deal with euthanizing animal after animal, some for simple old age or untreatable disease, but far too many with treatable conditions that owners can't afford to treat.

Every day, I'm thankful for the exemplary local, independent vet practice we've used for many years. They are not cheap, particularly for acute care, and we usually have to book well in advance, but they've been good about fitting us in for emergencies.

[Bruce Bordner]

Almost every stand up comedy show is an old person complaining about their day. You got a whole post out of today. Maybe this could work for you?

[darlene]

On a recent 10-day trip, I took my two kitties along. They both have health issues that are manageable but not quite manageable enough for anyone else to handle. Call me overprotective, but no one will care for your fur babies like you do. They did surprisingly well on the 2-day drive in the campervan, contained in a large dog kennel. I only released them to wander the van at night while I slept. When we got to the rental cabin, they did what cats do best: they hid for the entire week, only emerging at night to eat and occasionally to show me they were still alive.

The journey back home started smoothly. Day one went well; they seemed content being back in the kennel and enjoying the drive. However, on the morning of day two, I got very sick and decided to get a hotel room to rest before finishing the trip. The following day, I felt ill but determined to drive back home. As I struggled to load the van, I got the three-legged cat back in the kennel without much issue. But the smaller, more agile cat had vanished. After searching everywhere (how many places can a cat hide in a hotel room?), I concluded he must be hiding inside one of the bed platforms and went to the front desk for assistance.

After 15 minutes of cat-and-mouse antics, I left the hotel room looking like a tornado had hit it, with a crazy cat wrapped inside a towel. He had scratched the living daylights out of my face and stolen an earring before being wrangled back into the kennel. The hotel manager and another worker had to disassemble both beds before finally finding the little escape artist squished inside a compartment he must have deflated to fit into. Poor kitty, poor me, and poor hotel guys!

I often dream of living in the woods in a log cabin. The 10-day trip I described above was to a cabin in the NJ Pine Barrens, an area I grew up near and always enjoyed visiting. But, as you have so wisely pointed out, the issues can occur if you live in a remote area. Many years ago, I viewed a documentary about a small village in Alaska that gets supplies and mail via air once a week if the weather permits. I always remember what I learned from that documentary and realized that because of my love for creative photography, I needed to live where mail and supplies were feasible, as well as healthcare and groceries. But we can always dream and plan that cabin vacation in the woods, as you stated.

I am so glad Butters is doing well, and you were able to see through the frustrations and come out on the other side well.

[James]

You might want to read this NYT article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/23/health/pets-veterinary-bills.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20240623&instance_id=126976&nl=the-morning&regi_id=33483322&segment_id=170316&te=1&user_id=872793c6b77a10505f0026268ab8a7eb

[David Elesh]

In some urban areas such as Brooklyn, NY and Philadelphia, independent vets are being bought out by chains. In our experience and that of others that we know, the results are higher prices and pressure to purchase food and tests that do not seem medically necessary. Vets tell of pressure to meet revenue goals.

[Ken Tanaka]

I am so glad that Butters will be fine! Looks like a nasty bite but I'm often amazed at the healing powers healthy animals really have.

Regarding your trouble getting into a vet, yours is not a uniquely rural experience. There is a national shortage of vets ... and getting worse by most accounts... while pet ownership is swelling. I am no longer a pet owner but stories of long, long waits for even emergency appointments here in the middle of one of the nation's largest cities are par. My nephew worked front-line at a vet clinic in Milwaukee for many years. He recently completely changed his career partly because he just couldn't take the strain (and customer abuse) of managing appointment scheduling. So you're -very- fortunate you were able to see your vet relatively soon. Your anxious experience is extremely common today.

[Jeff1000]

Another blessing, which you’re probably too humble to admit, is that you’re able to alchemize experiences into your blog. I know it’s not as easy as you make it appear.

[Moose]

My day has been fabulous, so far.

My third visit to the Otolaryngologist marked the end of my first medical treatment in something over 30 years!

A two month+ adventure with an outer ear infection, first thought to be bacterial, then confirmed to be fungal, ended with her words on looking deep inside, "Looks great!"

AND she cleaned out some pesky, impacted wax in the corner of the other ear, which improved hearing on that side!

Carol turned left over grilled tuna into her famous tuna salad.

A GOOD day! Thanks you for asking.

(And it's not even over yet.)

[Patrick Dodds]

Did the biting dog's owner offer to pay for the vet's fees?

[E.]

Something similar happened to me and our cat, couple of months back.
But I don't think it's our rural dwelling, it just takes a few minutes by car to reach a vet's surgery.
It's the other way round: it's modern-day capitalism.
Sincerely hope Butters's fine by now.
In not-so-olden times, there was always somebody around in town (or hamlet, or vicinity) who could deal with these issuses. That was community. Dunno what it's called nowadays.

[Kye Wood]

I live in a rainforest. Rural and beautiful. But am only 10 minutes from two amazing vet surgeries and a phalanx of medical services.

Your post makes me feel even more grateful than usual.

Living modestly within a wealth soaked community brings a lot of positives with it. You get access to the services wealthy folk can sponsor. Without the commute.

[ASW]

I'm not the most patient person in the world, but I try my best when it comes to veterinarians.

It seems highly likely that most of them get into the profession because they love cats, dogs, horses, pigs, cows, etc. They study for years, often building up $100K+ in student debt. When they finally get to their career, many if not most of their interactions with the animals they love come on the worst/last day of that animal's life, and they're in the room with each pet owner as they make tough decisions about their pet's health and/or continued existence.

Is it any wonder that veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession?

We're very lucky that all of our pets have loved going to the vet; our current dog gets sad and whines when we drive by and don't stop.

Nonetheless, I feel dread in the pit of my stomach every time we visit or even drive by, as my memories flash back to the last trip we made with our previous dog and cat.

I've done some difficult work in my life, both physically and mentally. I wouldn't last a day as a veterinarian.

[Michael J Olson]

I would suggest talking you your farmer acquaintances to see who they are using. Often a "vet tech". Here in Oregon they can do much of the work of a DMV, make house calls, reasonable cost - in some cases it is "donation" based.

[Gaspar Heurtley]

I read your post in complete disbelief.
Last month I took my cat to the vet. No appointment, I just simply walked there with good ol’ Bilbo snuggled up inside the bag.
Too much people in the vet’s waiting room, so I went home and got back a while later.
They checked him up, gave him a shot and that’s it, the whole thing took no more than an hour.
Granted, I live in a three million people city, but still…

[Michael Newsom]

I am glad Butters is okay, and you as well. I complained to my very competent and good-natured cardiologist yesterday about the long wait times for an appointment with an arthritis specialist for a inflamed right hand that has made it nearly impossible to activate the shutter on my camera (or type this comment). He said Covid created a backlog that still exists, especially for the hiring of more affordable physician assistants, but additionally, doctors are becoming employees of health care providers, like hospitals, which are unwilling to pay less affordable doctors to meet demand. So, we pay expensive health care premiums for less and less service.

[Dennis Ng]

Great... at least all got well now.

--- just random thoughts and comments :

After seeing the wait and cannot find vet, very oddly my reaction is that just hope there is no vet graduate cannot finding job in the market.

Strange reaction for such a long wait but that happened to my 2 doctor sons in UK. No job, graduated this and last year! All those training ... all those wait in your clinic in UK ... just meant they spent on something else (the associates etc.).

I will check on my newly graduated UK vet relative whether she is better.

Sorry totally sidetracked but cannot help my angry towards the system. But at least you are in USA. Probably got a lot of other issues, insurance, private market. ...

[David Dyer-Bennet]

Well, I guess several days after the injury is unlikely to be an actual emergency, but I would think that the vet would save some time for such things, or displace other things. And it really does sound like they're taking in huge amounts of money,if the time and the bill you cite are typical. (We don't have much for injuries, but our cats have sure spent a lot of our money at the vet, just in normal cycle of life things. But we're in a city; our vet is I guess 8 blocks from our house.)

[Robert Roaldi]

So, we can't get doctors, we can't find vets, for a while there we couldn't get cars and now they cost way more, we have long wait times for surgery, etc. etc. So what happened to all those efficiencies and synergies our corporations were supposed to give us when we handed power over to them because, you know, that's what's works.

What is everyone doing now if they're not doctoring or being vets, is everyone an influencer now?

Could it be that our culture doesn't deserve to survive.