W L W L
A LOLA IS THE BEST MEDICINE !
BY DUGIE GEMMILL , PARKSIDE VETERINARY PRACTICE
The world insists on continuing to be a strange and altered place . Whether you were to diagnose the source of our troubles as COVID 19 , Brexit , Boris Johnson or merely bad luck , or bad weather there is no doubt that we , the inhabitants of these islands feel more than a little beleaguered , battered and bent down than perhaps we deserve . The hopes of a pandemic less rampant , high vaccination rates and a return to a more normalised existence have been diminished by a long predicted , yet unsolved freight and supply crisis – supermarket shelves plainly stocked less diversely , fuel shortages at the point of supply in service stations and garages . Even in the veterinary practice we find ourselves having to deal with shortages of some drugs and products . We Brits are renowned the world over for resilience and stoicism , yet there are daily glimpses of those , once calm , becoming irritable ; those , once placid , become angry ; and those , once serene and unflappable , stressed , and anxious . We hear of reports of folk coming to blows on petrol forecourts , restaurant and bar staff abused and even in the practice , normally a hectic , yet controlled environment our receptionists have , on occasion been exposed .
Perhaps surprisingly , being a vet , aspects of my vocation I find most fulfilling are the observation and interaction with people . We are a colourful and interesting species and while we may exhibit less pleasant traits sometimes the defaults for most people are kindness concern and compassion . Daily , I find my spirits lifted and my faith in our future renewed by the clients , and the pets that I see .
This week a lovely English Bulldog called Lola returned to the practice for some treatment . I had performed a laparoscopic neuter earlier in the year and I confess I had forgotten what a delight she was . The instant she saw me in the waiting room she brightened and wagged her entire rear end in happiness and when I took her into the practice the moment , she spied the nursing team as a new audience her ritual dance of joy reached new heights !
Lola had come from North Wales for advanced surgery to alleviate her symptoms of BOAS ( Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome ). This is a collection of physical obstructions to the passage of air to the lungs , common in short-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs , Pugs and English Bulldogs . The syndrome is often a combination of issues including the nostrils , the soft palate , the tonsils , and the larynx . In Lola ’ s case she had a very elongated soft palate which partially blocked the opening to her larynx , which we had identified when she was under anaesthetic for her laparoscopic surgery . Tricky procedures bring out the best in a good team . The girls on reception dealt compassionately with her owners . Thanks to the professionalism and care of the vets and nursing team , Lola ’ s procedure was a success and even immediately after her op we could see her breathing much improved . She was such a friendly patient I think the nurses drew lots as to who could spend time with her in the kennels ! English Bulldogs may not be everyone ’ s cup of tea , but this Churchillian young lady was irresistible .
Not everyone will be greeted every day by a fluffy , hairy bundle of joyful wagginess ( my spell check insists there is no such word , but I know there is !), however everyone has a chance to meet one . If we smile , people always smile back . If you are kind and respectful to others , those virtues are reflected towards you . If there is no mineral water at the supermarket , it is of no consequence . So long as the ambulances , police and key workers have fuel in their tanks we will get by . If you feel that 2020 and 2021 will haunt you forever , my prescription is to just imagine an English Bulldog with the broadest smile rolling on her back for tummy tickles !
Dugie is a graduate of Glasgow University and has worked at Parkside Veterinary Practice since 1990 and has been the Clinical Director for the last seven years . He has a keen interest in laparoscopic and orthopaedic surgery .
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