Pets

SlaNey PetS MOYNE VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy. T: (053) 9233187, 9236674. F: (053) 9236674. E: moynevet@gmail.com

VET DIARY FOR FEBRUARY

with the Moyne Veterinary Hospital

Joe Kavanagh is looking forward to a busy Spring.

The beginning of February heralds the beginning of Spring in Ireland. St Bridget's day, the 1st of February, is a celebration by both the Christian and the ancient Celtic traditions. On the farm it is the busy, busy season. For dairy farmers they will be at full tilt these next few weeks calving cows, getting calves up and going, starting milking heifers, training them to life in the miking parlour and all that goes with it. It is a hectic time on the farm but part and parcel of farming life. If things start going wrong such as difficult calvings, calf scour, mastitis outbreak... then we the local vets are called into action. It can be a time of long days, sleepless nights, and for some strange reason we come back year after year, back for more!!

Some people might consider it madness but there is great beauty in being in the 'trenches' mucking in, rolling up the sleeves, and getting the job at hand done. It’s a little like a rugby match where you're getting stuck in and going through the hard yards to get the result. It builds camaraderie, friendship and loyalty and that is what makes the difference in the long run. The beauty of a newborn calf, lamb or foal being nurtured by her mother, getting up and sucking for the first time. People working together to get a result is all part of what keeps us doing the job. A farm dog came in a few Sundays ago really very sick and weak. Blood tests revealed that her kidneys were failing so

she was set up on a drip straight away. Intravenous fluids are important, helping to flush the kidneys and remove toxicity from the system. After 24 hours, Holly hadn't picked up much and into the second day there wasn't significant pick up either so things were looking decidedly worse for Holly. We were giving her all the meds but it just wasn't making the difference. We had to think outside the box and came up with an idea. She hadn't eaten anything in several days, was reluctant to walk, listless and weak. No amount of coaxing from us or her owners seemed to get her to take anything. So we began with oral solutions, syringing it into her and slowly but surely she began to perk up, then ate her food and the next morning she jumped out of the kennel raring for her walk!! It was a tonic to see. Her owner came in and there was a new level of excitement. We took her off the drip later that day, sent her home and got a Whatsapp video of her barking in the milking parlour bossing everything just like always. We rechecked her a few days later and I'm happy to say she's still doing great. It was a combination of vets, great nursing and the willingness of the owners to keep with her even when things looked ominous and bleak. To get her to come back was a tonic for all concerned and what makes this job we do all the more special. With the stretch in the days comes the knowing that a mixed animal, small and large, practice vet can get stretched to the max too.... but there's comfort in the knowledge that you're not alone and that is what makes the difference. n

If you have a topic you’d like Joe Kavanagh to address please email Slaney News at: slaneynews@gmail.com

OPENING HOURS (6 DAYS A WEEK):

9.00am–1.00pm and 2.00pm–6.00pm Small animal clinic (please tel. for appointment): Daily 9.30–10.30am, 2.30–3.30pm, 5.00–6.00pm. 24-hour, on-call, Emergency Service: (053) 9233187.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

Full blood analysis (haematology, biochemistry) Gas anaesthetic – Digital X-rays – Ultrasound – Bioenergy Dermatological testing – Kinesiology – Prescription diets

Herbal remedies – Homeopathy – Allergy testing