Thank you and every groomer out there like you.  I can't keep my little
poodle properly brushed since I have arthritis in my hands.  And she is
elderly and hard to groom.  Lots of bumps and lumps and has to be clipped
carefully.

The woman who does it seems to take it as her mission in life to do her very
best by this little dog.  And Sugar dearly loves going to see her every four
weeks.

Jo

I like how you include the kids in the Vet journals. :P

Theresa
Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh
My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com

Thanks again for your vet journal stories -- I really enjoy reading them.  I
think of my Shetra (RB) cat who had long hair and who developed mats faster
than I could detangle them and I am so very grateful for the 2 wonderful
groomers who helped him with those the last 2 years of his life.
Christine

This is an addendum to VT 18.....

My forearms muscles are sore.  Must be from all the brushing I've done
over the last few days.

Today is vaccine clinic day.  It gets quite busy since we have to deal
with appointments AND walk ins.  PLUS it was cold and it rained ALL
day.

Ah, the smell of wet dog in the air.....

almost got nailed by a cat today too.  I was scruffing him and the
doctor was performing a rectal exam.  The cat was quiet when suddenly
it let out this LOUD scream and tried to kick.  If I had been a bit
slower, he would have totally scratched my arm.  Fortunately he didn't
even break the skin.  Whew!!

A poor kitty named Joshua came in with epistaxis.  For thoes of you
that don't know, that's the medical term for a bloody nose.  Poor guy!
He was a gray long hair, and I felt sorry because he DESPERATELY
needed a brushing, he was covered in mats.

Anyways, for anyone who has had a cat with a runny nose, you know that
gunk flies everywhere, and in this case blood.  it wasn't too bad, but
I had to wash off my hands and arms when we were done.

Then this one couple brought in their two kitties for nail trims.
First was Annabelle, who is listed as a Maine coon but is a BEAUTIFUL
peach color.  She was very sweet, but her claws were very long.  I
mentioned this to her meowmie.

"Oh, she scratches everything at home, the carpet, the furniture."  

I asked if she had a scratching post.  

"No, do you think I should get one?  Where can I get one?"

See, it's times like these when vet techs have to try to stay polite
even though we SO know that the question is silly.  I told her they
could be found at any pet store, and they come in a variety of sizes,
colors and materials.  I recommended the sisal rope ones.

"Oh, okay, well, I'll get one, even if it looks ugly."  UGLY?  *sigh*
The thing to do is keep calm and polite and then when they leave go
snicker in the back at how silly they are.

Her second cat is Winston, a scottish fold.  I know I mentioned him in
my earlier journals.  He's black and white and has the characteristice
folded ears.  Aww!!  He needed a nail trim and his ears cleaned.
Since the scottish fold ears are folded down, they are more prone to
waxy buildup.

So I fill one ear with cleanser and swab out the gunk.  I'm talking to
my partner as I'm filling the other ear when Winston squirms out of my
grasp and shakes his head.

Ear cleaning solution goes flying everywhere, I got it all over my
face and this time in my mouth.  Bleeecch!!!   When flushing ears,
that's something that comes with the territory, but normally you can
anticipate and turn your head.  This one came without warning and
while the ear was full of cleanser.

And if you think THAT'S funny, you should see what happened when we
flushed the ears of a St. Bernard.  EVERYONE TAKE COVER!!!!

I was miffed that I had to work on Thanksgiving, but I do get Xmas
off, so I can go home.  I plan on boarding Mischief and Imp while I'm
gone, which I know they will not like.

But I'm really miffed that I got the short straw when it comes to New
Years.  I've been assigned to work on New Years day in the MORNING
shift!!  Grrrrrr!!!  Well, at least I'm not the only one, but it kills
any plans I have for partying.  The only other time I've woken up
early on New Years Day was when UCLA was in the Rose bowl, and since i
was in the UCLA band, I had a 5 am call for the Rose parade.  Ah well,
c'est la vie or something.....

That's enough for now, must go study for finals

Kristi