When Raccoons Go Bad By Dr. John Jones

                                                                                            
              

        

             We've  been invaded by wildlife again! Not bats this time, though, but raccoons. Fortunately, this didn't occur in our house, but in my home away from home- the barn.

             There have been visitations in the past, after all, a woods sits forty feet from the backside of the barn. Raccoons have come in for an occasional meal of cat food, and possibly a romp in the haymow, but they haven’t taken up residence or done any real damage. That is, until now.

            I first suspected we had a guest when for several mornings in a row the cat food bowls were empty and flung to the ground from their perch on a ledge beside a ram stall. The telltale sign, however, was the water bowl, nearly drained except for a scant amount of mud left over from the raccoon’s habit of washing his little paws and moistening the food. Of course, the extra cleanup duty was annoying, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. The dragged-on winter, I’m sure, was literally hitting him where he lived, too, out in the woods.

            So I put up with the varmint until one morning I discovered he had crossed the line of decency, even for a raccoon.  That’s when things got personal.

            Dianne, our newest barn cat, had been missing for 36 hours, when I found her hunkered down at the back of one of those ram pens. Calico in color, but not personality, she is probably the sweetest cat we’ve ever had, and considered many times to be a housecat candidate. A quick physical revealed no lesions until I got back to her rump, squishy to the touch and oozing a fetid, brown fluid. It was a bite abscess, several bites actually. Who would have done this? She had no enemies amongst the other barn cats.

            Later that same day, after Dianne had been taken to our hospital to have her wounds attended, I found Clark, another barn cat, in the mulch beneath our kitchen window. He had wounds on his neck, not as severe as Dianne’s, but bad enough to follow her to DAH.

            As a serious rodentophobe, my cats are important to my barn life, not just as companions, but as bodyguards as well. This perpetrator had to be stopped. Thus, my introduction to using a live trap, where my new found skills, and some honey ham, yielded not one, but two raccoons. 

The nuisance factor notwithstanding, readers should know that raccoons can carry many serious diseases. Among these is canine distemper virus, which is not good news for dogs. Moreover, although raccoons in this area are not known to harbor rabies, there is always the potential, and that isn’t good for anybody. Two bacterial diseases, leptospirosis and salmonella, can be spread in their urine and feces, respectively, and I can attest, when a coon is caught in a live trap there is an abundance of each released.

            On that note, perhaps the greatest threat posed to humans is through a parasite they carry, Baylisascaris procyonis, a member of the roundworm family. If the eggs of this parasite are inhaled or ingested, the larvae released can create a condition known as visceral, ocular, or neural larval migrans, depending on where they locate. When our body detects an aberrant larva migrating through it, an immune inflammatory response is initiated which can result in the formation of cysts. Some of these can be quite large, and mimic the effects of a tumor. And depending on the location, they can be difficult to treat, even fatal.

            As for the two raccoons, they were dealt with humanely, but, regrettably, justice was delivered. When raccoons become a menace, second chances aren’t an option. If I had let them loose in the woods, they would have just come back to the barn or gone to the neighbors. Obviously, they had no respect for the cats, nor fear of me or the trap.

            Clark was able to return home two days after the second coon was trapped, and the barn deemed safe. Dianne’s wounds required more extensive treatment, including daily lavage. She wasn’t real keen on that, I have to say, but she did take a liking to overall office life, and made a lot of new human friends. She’s actually still there as I write this, five weeks after the incident. And if she plays her cards right, Dianne may get that housecat promotion, yet!

 

 

Great Scott! My Journeys with Marty McFly

 

                       

            My dog's name is Marty McFly. There are a few things people should know about Marty if you are ever going to hang out with him. He has bad breath but is generous with his kisses. He doesn't like being picked up under his arms and he'll let you know if you cross that line. He always wants to snuggle and will get his white hair all over your clothes. If you're in “his seat” he'll make sure that you make room for him but ever so subtly. He also thoroughly enjoys going places but doesn't like being places other than his own home.
 

             This last tidbit is always an interesting combination. Marty gets excited and jumps around like a madman when he realizes that there's even a slim chance of a possibility of a trip. When he's in his own home confines he's more than ready to strap on that leash and hit the road. When he's on the road – he sleeps for the most part. He'll occasionally stand on the arm rest and leave some wet nose prints on the window.
 

            However, there's usually a hiccup whenever he gets wherever I'm taking him. You see Marty prefers his home turf where there is no possibility of a cat being around (I'm allergic). If there is a feline to be encountered in the place that we are visiting – forget it. He transforms into a shivering 17 pound ball of scaredy dog. We've worked with him – tried several different methods of counter conditioning and positive reinforcements but through the years I have learned it's simply easier to not take him anywhere near cats.
 

             As a pet owner, being aware of things like Marty's feline phobia helps me to navigate life with a happier pet. As a modern American, travel is a part of my regular lifestyle. Which means that it's also a part of Marty's regular lifestyle. Whenever we hit the open road there are a few things that I need to ensure prior to setting out. Safety is foremost while comfort is also important.
 

             You may think it pretentious of him but Marty has his own booster seat for car travel. It straps to the seat using the seat belt and then I can strap him to the booster seat itself using his harness. So not only does he get to ride on a cushioned fleece throne, he can also see out of the window. Most importantly, he is more secure than if he were free roaming in case of a jolting stop or car accident. Many people travel safely with pets in pet carriers. A hard sided carrier or even a metal cage may help contain Fluffy in case of a car accident.

 

            There are several other factors in play when I travel with Marty. Firstly, he is kept up to date with his immunizations which drastically decreases the likelihood of picking up many infections from strange dogs that he may encounter. Secondly, he is always up to date with his monthly flea, tick and heartworm control. This helps keep him parasite free whenever we make rest stops or visit new places. And thirdly, he is microchipped and wears a collar with his most current license and rabies tag. He also has a separate tag that has his name and my contact number listed. These things give me the peace of mind that if he were to get loose while we are out and about there's a better chance of getting him home safely.
 

            Some pets require sedation for safest travel – especially for plane trips or cross country travel. See your veterinarian if you think this is the case for your pet. If you plan on taking your pet with you to travel internationally (yes, Canada counts as international travel) make sure to get a health inspection done by an accredited veterinarian prior to your trip.
 

            So even if you have your own homebody pet like my Marty McFly, eventually, you may need to take him places. When you do set out with your pet in tow it is important to keep things like their safety and proper identification in mind. If your pet has an anxiety trigger like Marty has his irrational fear of cats – be aware and avoid those situations as much as possible.
 

            Marty is a wonderful little traveling companion, and maybe there's a lesson to be learned from him – sometimes in life it's more about the journey than the destination. And as long as I continue to factor his needs into our trip, I know that it will be a great journey for us both.

 

 

By Dr. Marisa Tong

 

Pet Dental Health Tips

                                  

 

                        Pet Dental Health Month has drawn to a close.  I take exception with this annual awareness campaign because I worry that pet owners may only focus on their pet’s dental care during the month of February.  In reality, pets need dental care daily, and definitely all year round. 

                        Professional pet dental cleanings are done via ultrasonic scaling with pets under general anesthesia.  We know plaque and tartar will begin to return to pet teeth as quickly as the cleaning and polishing have been completed.  Therefore, all pet dental cleanings need to be followed by educating pet owners on long-term preventive dental care.

                        When I teach pet owners about dental health, my discussion is centered on how to physically approach the mouth. This information needs to be relayed as early as the pet's first visit.  For frustrated owners of older pets that resist dental care efforts, I first listen to what the pet owner has tried, then I make individualized suggestions to set them up for success.  With the knowledge that daily tooth brushing or wiping is most effective, this process needs to be laced with a lot of praise and positive reinforcement for the pet to permit repetitive care as recommended.

                        Flavored pet pastes can turn dental care into a highly anticipated food treat experience.  Such is the case for my own canine family as each dog lines up after dinner to have a turn at tooth brushing while lying on a comfy pet bed.  Each pet is allowed to lick any remaining paste off the toothbrush when the cleaning is done.  While brushing, I talk to my pets with soothing, happy tones, using all of their "magic words" employed during training when they were young.  Pets, especially dogs, want to please you! Let them know that they are, through kind words and a gentle touch during tooth brushing.

                        Pets also thrive on consistency.  Routines give them a sense of security, making them more willing participants when it comes to dental care.  Daily tooth brushing at the same time of day in the same location while employing plenty of verbal, physical and edible encouragement, will make the pet more accepting.

                        I also recommend offering healthy dental treats (MilkBone or Greenies), hard rubber chew toys (Kongs), tartar control diets (Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care or Prescription Diet T/D), water additives (Breathalyser), and enzymatic dental sprays.  Avoid soft or canned foods and hard chew toys such as Nylabones, deer antlers, knucklebones, and rawhides that are notorious for breaking teeth.  My advice and the advice of veterinary dental specialists is to employ as many of these options as possible for greatest success. 

                        Veterinary professionals perform multiple dental cleanings daily, making this procedure among our most popular.  However, studies have shown that a pet owner will receive a minimum of three recommendations for a dental cleaning before acting on this important advice.  Meanwhile, many pets suffer quietly with not one, but several, painful and/or infected teeth. 

                        Amazingly, even in the face of their pet's "dragon breath," pet owners still overlook their pet's dental hygiene.  The common denominator in these situations is that the pet has shown no "obvious" signs of pain. Please be advised that many pets do not show their discomfort overtly, especially cats, as they are masters of disguise, and "weakness" in the animal world makes you "prey."

                        Probably the best indicator of dental discomfort comes too late.  And by that, I mean AFTER a professional dental cleaning when the pet is "re-born" by the elimination of painful gingivitis and abscessed teeth.  Previously sedentary pets will become more interactive and act rejuvenated.  It breaks my heart that so many pets endure unnecessary oral pain for too long.  If you have ever had a single tooth ache, you know what I mean, then consider the plight of pets with multiple diseased teeth!

                        Help your veterinarian provide your pet with the best dental care possible.  Perform daily oral exams and dental care for your pet.  If your veterinarian recommends a professional dental cleaning, heed her advice expediently!  Not only will your pet reward you with fresher breath, the added bonus will be a longer life through prevention of potentially life-threatening heart, kidney or liver disease originating from something as preventable as dental disease.

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

A Friend, a Fever, and a Letter Not Forgotten

            I’m sure glad my friend, Harold, didn’t die.  I only wish his veterinarian had been smarter, at least smarter, sooner.

            Harold’s illness began several weeks ago.  He thought he had the flu.  But instead of getting better in a few days, his symptoms worsened.  He became more tired and weak, his lungs more congested, and he had a strange skin rash.  By the time he went to his doctor, his temperature was 104 degrees.  Harold was diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized for 4 days, where he received I.V. antibiotics.

            Following his release, he felt better for a week or so, but then his symptoms returned.

            I met Harold soon after I arrived in Delphos.  His farm was one of the first my boss, Dr. Laman, took me to, and we vaccinated and castrated baby pigs.  I have a feeling Dr. Laman thought Harold and I would become friends, and he was right.

            Early on, I realized Harold was a special person by how he respected and cared for his elderly parents.  If how you treat your parents is any indication of whether you will get into Heaven, Harold’s ticket was punched years ago.

            Harold has always been the “go-to” guy neighbors and friends could rely on to help with any situation.  He has been a big supporter of 4-H and has helped several neighbor kids get started in the sheep business.

            Harold is the kind of person I wish I was.  He’s the kind of person I wish everyone was.  It was distressing to see such a nice man be so sick.

            I didn’t fully realize how bad he felt, though, until he asked me to vaccinate his lambs.  Usually, Harold did this himself, but he just didn’t feel strong enough.

            We arranged to do this on Good Friday morning, so his posse of neighbor kids could help me.  In a little over an hour, we vaccinated, dewormed, and castrated the male lambs – 45 in all.  I would like to thank these kids – Zac, Kellen, Jared and Megan.  They were some of the best helpers I have ever had.

            A few evenings later, I got a late start on my chores.  Along about nine o’clock as I was watering the last group of sheep, I heard one of them cough.  That is when it dawned on me – Harold had Q-fever!

            I turned on the computer, typed “Q-fever”, clicked the mouse a couple of times, and there it all was – the history, the symptoms, the relapse.  The only thing missing was a picture of Harold.

            Q-fever is a zoonotic disease, spread from animals to humans, and is caused by the bacteria, Coxiella burnetii.  Commonly found in cattle, sheep, and goats, it doesn’t usually cause clinical disease in these species, although it can cause abortion in sheep and goats.  The organism can be excreted in milk, urine, and feces.  Q-fever is one of the many reasons why only pasteurized milk should be consumed.

            The bacteria may also become dried in the manure, aerosolized and inhaled.  This may be how Harold was infected, although he did admit he sometimes delivers lambs without wearing gloves.  Shame on you Harold; although, I probably won’t be tossing any stones your way.

            In addition to causing flu symptoms and pneumonia, left untreated, a chronic form of Q-fever may develop, affecting the heart, causing death in up to 65% of patients. Q-fever can also cause abortion in humans, so pregnant women should avoid being around sheep and goats.

            Since it was getting late and I didn’t want to wake him, I decided to call Harold the next morning.  That was good timing.  He had another doctor’s appointment two hours later.

            Harold’s physician checked his sources, agreed with our presumptive diagnosis, drew some blood for testing, and started Harold on doxycycline, the antibiotic of choice.  Within 2 days, Harold was feeling much better and has continued to improve.  Talking with him on the phone a few minutes ago, as I write this, he sounded like his old self again. 

            This wasn’t the first time I’ve played an R.D. (real doctor).  Numerous clients have taken it upon themselves to show me various skin lesions and oozing infected incisions.  Yuck!  Harold’s case has been my most successful and certainly most important one thus far. 

            If you raise sheep or goats and acquire a mysterious ailment, don’t forget to tell your physician you do so.  Conversely, if you are receiving treatment for a condition and are not responding, don’t forget to tell your veterinarian.  Sometimes we vets can out “D” even the real doctors!

Author: Dr. John Harvey Jones

The American Southdown Journal- Fall 2007

Brushing Up on Pet Dental Care

Stephanie Groves, DHI Media Staff Writer

                Bacteria and plaque-forming foods can cause build-up on a pet’s teeth, which can harden, resulting in tartar, gingivitis, receding gums and tooth loss. One solution is regular dental cleanings.

                A pet’s “bad breath” or chronic halitosis may be a sign of a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only Fido or Fluffy’s teeth and gums, but also their internal organs.

               In recognition of National Pet Dental Health Month, veterinarians address the significance of proactive oral care for all pets all year round but especially during the month of February. Delphos Animal Hospital’s Dr. Bonnie Jones, D.V.M., said National Pet Dental Health Month is an annual event when veterinarians may do promotions or offer discounts to increase awareness for pet dental care.

               “We want to emphasize that pet dental care is most effective when done on a daily basis and that dental cleanings should be done all year round, not just in February,” Jones said. “Many pet owners think that giving their pets tartar-control food and treats alone is adequate. We find that doing multiple things, including daily toothbrushing or wiping, providing hard rubber chew toys and dental treats, or using water additives, when all done together is most helpful. In the end, the pet owner needs to discover what is easiest to do for their pet’s dental care, while being certain to do it daily. Anything that provides mild abrasive action to the teeth will be helpful but it needs to be done regularly; once weekly or once monthly will not be effective.”

              She explained with dogs, daily toothbrushing is ideal using fingerbrushes, dental wipes or a small toothbrush.

“With cats, it’s a little trickier since they have fewer, smaller teeth and it’s harder to get brushes into their mouths,” Jones explained. “Cat dental care is best accomplished using flavored dental wipes or gauze. There are flavored toothpastes for dogs and cats as well. For some pets, especially cats, using gauze dipped in chicken broth, tuna, or clam juice works really well, as the flavoring provides a positive experience for the pet.”  It all comes down to what works best for the pet owner and pet.

              “Before a client leaves the veterinary hospital with their pet after a professional dental cleaning, we educate them on the importance of and techniques for providing pet dental care to prolong the benefits of the cleaning,” Jones said.

Dr. Marisa Tong, associate veterinarian at Delphos Animal Hospital, added that the sooner pet owners get started cleaning their pet’s teeth, the better.

             “Never use human toothpaste, as it can make pets sick,” Tong said. “Even though the mint flavored/smelling pet toothpastes make a pet’s breath smell better, poultry flavored is often preferred by the pet.”

The ASPCA and Dr. Jones recommend taking these steps to make brushing easier for both the pet and pet owner:

• A veterinary exam before beginning any preventive pet dental health program will be helpful as your veterinarian can make suggestions for a dental cleaning or what will work best for your pet. If your pet already has dental disease, brushing can be painful, setting the dental health program up for failure.

• Most importantly, acclimate your dog or cat to toothbrushing at an early age by massaging the pet’s lips with your fingers in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. Then move on to the teeth and gums.

• When your pet seems comfortable with mouth handling, put a little flavored pet toothpaste or a paste of baking soda and water on the lips to get it accustomed to the taste.

• Next, introduce a toothbrush designed especially for pets — it should be smaller than a human toothbrush and have soft bristles. Fingerbrushes or pet dental wipes that you can apply over your finger are also available for cats and smaller mouths.

• Finally, apply the toothpaste to the teeth using a gentle abrasive action.

                Tong said it is ideal to “flip the lip” and perform dental assessments every six months and dental cleanings annually.  “Dogs and cats that have annual cleanings live longer and carry less bacteria in their mouths,” Tong explained. “It’s recommended to anesthetize cats and dogs for ultrasonic dental cleanings. Some pets, especially smaller pets and those on soft food diets may need ultrasonic cleanings more often.”

               During a dental cleaning, the patient is given an injectable anesthetic then intubated (an endotracheal tube is placed inside the wind pipe of an anesthetized patient). The endotracheal tube is then connected to a breathing circuit used to administer oxygen and inhalant anesthetics.The patient is monitored for heart rate and oxygen levels in the blood via equipment and veterinary staff members throughout the procedure.

              Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Angela Unverferth added ultrasonic scaling uses a rapidly vibrating metal probe and cooling water mist to remove plaque and tartar on the surface of the pet’s teeth and below the gumline.

“A routine cleaning takes about 30-45 minutes,” Unverferth said. “I start with the backside of the teeth and work forward.”

After the cleaning, the patient’s teeth are polished and a dental sealant can be applied to slow the expected recurrence of plaque.

             “There are once-weekly dental sealant (Oravet) applications available for pet owners to use at home as well,” Tong explained. “We also make the best use of time when a pet is under anesthesia by doing toenail trims, ear cleanings and anal gland expressions as courtesy services included with our dental cleanings.”  Tong said the patient is slowly awakened once the last phase of the polishing begins so as not to keep it under anesthesia any longer than necessary.

             “Once the patient is off inhalation anesthetics, they begin breathing room air and must start swallowing before we extubate (remove) the endotracheal tube,” Tong detailed. “The patient will begin breathing more deeply as they are becoming more awake.”  The patient is then transferred into a recovery area where he/she is further monitored by staff.

              Jones also wants pet owners to be aware of the dangers of allowing Fido or Fluffy to play with, gnaw on or ingest certain dangerous toys or foodstuffs.

              “Dogs sustain many tooth fractures from chewing on items sold as toys. Nylon toys, pig’s ears, deer antlers and thick soup or knuckle bones can readily cause damage to pet dental enamel, even though it is the hardest surface in the body,” Jones explained. “Soup bones may get lodged around a pet’s lower jaw behind the fangs. We’ve had to saw these bones off from around the jaw with the pet under anesthesia.”

              Also, after chewing on and breaking chew bones, pets can get pieces stuck between their teeth and/or lodged in the roof of their mouths. They also have a likelihood of becoming obstructions in the intestinal tract or causing gastrointestinal inflammation and/or constipation,” Jones said.

Keeping Man’s Best Friend Healthy

Delphos Animal Hospital, Lima Police Work Together for Canine Unit

By Kate Ellis
kellis@the419.com

LIMA – Police dogs often stand in between officers and criminals, and just like their human counterparts, injury in the line of duty is a possibility. So when Ron Conner, who has since retired, became the first sergeant of the canine unit at the Lima Police Department, he chose to ask a veterinarian he was familiar with to take care of the dogs.

Thirteen years later the Lima Police Department still works with the Delphos Animal Hospital, which provides emergency care in the event of trauma, as well as preventative care for the canine unit. Both parties agree the relationship is great.

“In the event that there would be a canine related injury, we usually contact them and advise them of the circumstances,” said Nick Hart, a sergeant with the canine unit at the Lima Police Department. “It’s been my experience that they have us rush the dogs right out, regardless of what their appointment schedule is.”

Although it is rare for the dogs to be injured, Lima Police have a direct line to the hospital, so if anything does happen care can quickly be administered.

“They seem to make us a very high priority,” Hart said. “We trust them a lot.”

Grizz, a 2-year-old male German Shepherd dog, was the most recent injury that happened in the line of duty. The injury occurred during the apprehension of a suspect police believed to be involved in a Dollar General burglary. The suspect had fled and officers gave chase, along with Grizz. When the suspect dove under a porch Grizz was sent underneath to follow him. The suspect began to punch and kick him in the face, still trying to escape.

Grizz eventually was able to get ahold of the suspect’s leg, and held him. At that point the suspect was apprehended, and placed in handcuffs.

Grizz had been struck in the muzzle, and had minor injuries from the scuffle.

“Initially there was some bleeding around (Grizz’s) teeth,” Hart said. “That’s what lead to the concern that he would need to get checked by the vet.” When an injury occurs handlers are able to communicate to the hospital, and the hospital can determine if the dog needs to be seen.

“His handler paged us through our emergency line,” Dr. Bonnie Jones, veterinarian and co-owner of the Delphos Animal Hospital, said. “I asked him a series of questions over the phone. It was apparent the dog was acting very normally, with no visible wounds, but he described that he had been kicked pretty hard, so that may not necessarily show up.”

Grizz was brought to the hospital the next morning. “The dog, by all rights, probably should have been sore,” Jones said. “He was pretty unscathed. We watched him walk, he was appropriate with his commands, didn’t show any pain when we checked him over.”

Grizz was deemed healthy, and he was eager to go back to work.

While always available in a time of injury, the hospital also provides primary care: check-ups, health screenings for potential new dogs, and recommendations for diet. In addition the hospital has provided skin care for allergies and dealt with kidney disease. Dental care and eye care is also important for the dogs. Eyesight is important for the dogs; handlers rely on their vision. Jones has trained handlers to look for signs of eye failure, as well as other medical issues.

“We help (the handlers) do the health part of their jobs for the dogs,” Jones said. “I’ve trained them how to pass stomach tubes, they all carry stomach tubes in their vehicles. That’s an emergency that German Shepherds and other deep chested dogs would experience.”

The 13-year relationship between the Delphos Animal Hospital and the Lima Police Department began as a personal one. Conner, now retired, had begun to take his own pets to the hospital for care. After getting familiar with the practice, he asked if the hospital would be willing to begin taking care of the canine unit. Jones and her husband, who is co-owner and also a veterinarian at Delphos Animal Hospital, agreed.

“The dogs change, the handlers change, but they are all very consistent in their roles, handling the dogs, and caring for the dogs,” Jones said. “It has been a very positive relationship, I don’t think there is anything I would change about it.”

The dogs mean a lot to the canine handlers, which makes the relationship between the two important. Hart has a 6-year-old male named Bailey.

“Honestly, I’d feel naked without him,” Hart said. “He is your partner every day and every night for the last four years, no matter what I’m doing he is with me. At least a couple times, if not for him we may have had to resort to a lethal force situation. They keep me out of trouble.”

Jones knows how important the dogs are to their handlers.

“When they have had, what the handler deemed an emergency, I mean these dogs are like their kids, and you have to reassure them just as you would any pet owner that their kid is okay,” Jones said.

A Car Wreck and the Miracle Cat

It all happened so quickly. It sounds cliché, but life can change in an instant. It was a dark and icy night. I was driving. And then I wasn’t. I had both hands clutching the steering wheel and traveling at a responsible speed. But that ice-covered curvy country road proved too much for my little car that wintry night. As I went careening off the road and into the ditch I couldn’t even begin to tell you what was going through my mind other than a bit of resolve that I had no control of the situation and a healthy dose of panic.

I had collided with a telephone pole and at some point my airbags had gone off. I don’t remember that happening — again, it all happened so quickly. After a few moments as the landscape was suddenly at a new angle out of my front windshield I tried to collect my thoughts to devise a plan of action. My driver’s side door wouldn’t budge — the telephone pole that I had hit ensured that. I saw a few pairs of headlights go by — and as I started crawling out the passenger side someone finally stopped to help.

The Good Samaritans who stopped had called the sheriff’s department for me and stayed with me until they showed up. Long story short — living in this part of the country, you’re always sure to come across someone you know. It turns out that these two do-gooders were clients of mine and they actually had an appointment for me to spay their cat in two days’ time.

As a veterinarian, I am blessed to get to see a lot of people and pets during my day. And as much as I would love to say that I have a photographic memory for every single one of the pets and people that touch my life — I am only human. I don’t always connect people with their pets especially outside of the office. But the Good Samaritans’ cat was a memorable one.

I first met Barney, the girl kitten, when she was a tiny mite of a thing. She was a few ounces short of a pound and had been rejected by her mother. She had every type of parasite you could think of, an upper respiratory infection, conjunctivitis and an awfully long road ahead of her if she was going make it to adulthood. Her owners took this information with aplomb and set about following my instructions to the letter.

It’s generally a well-known fact that God makes a lot of kittens for a reason. Many of them do not make it to adulthood — especially if they are facing the infections and parasites that Barney had to battle. Their tiny bodies and developing immune systems often can not handle these afflictions. When kittens are as young and sick as Barney was when I first met her, it often doesn’t end well no matter the best of our intentions.

I can safely say Barney would likely never have made it if it weren’t for Damien. Damien is the young man who had taken it upon himself to care for the tiny little creature. He hand fed her and gave her all of the medicine and treatments as directed. With every successive office visit I remember being completely impressed with her medical progress and Damien’s ability to care for her.

Barney is happy and healthy now and a feisty little thing. Damien is also the young man who had helped me out in my hour of need. He gave up his seat in the warm van on the side of the icy road while we waited for the sheriff. The same young man had also worked diligently to save a tiny kitten.

I walked away from that accident, and I know that I am incredibly blessed. It could have ended a lot worse. For someone whose daily job is to help those creatures who can’t always help themselves, it is extremely humbling and uplifting to meet so many truly good people like Damien who are willing to put forth incredible effort for one so helpless — and to know that I have guardian angels like him looking out for me as well. 

Author:  Dr. Marisa Tong