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Do You Have Your Veterinarian's Number Saved in Your Phone?

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

Do You Have Your Veterinarian's Number Saved in Your Phone?

This morning got off to an adrenaline inducing start in the Cleland household.  No sooner than my feet had made their way out of the blankets and onto the bedroom floor, than my husband burst into the room.  He was rattled and anxious.  Apparently, our oldest female cat Minx had vomited a hairball and then went into a state that found her unable to move while she peed herself.  I was dressed and tossing the cat in a carrier in an instant.  It was terrifying.  She was not even meowing, just a listless mound of fur in the carrier. 

As soon as we got in the car, I dialed our vet.  I have the number saved in our phone just in case of emergency.  I explained what happened and asked if they could see her right away.  They are only five minutes from our home.  If they hadn't been able to, I would have diverted to the emergency vet that is ten minutes away.  That number is also saved in my phone.

Because I had called ahead, when I entered the hospital, a nurse was there to take Minx straight back.  I didn't know it at the time, but the techs and vet were standing by to perform CPR on her.  

Thankfully, there was nothing wrong.  Sounds crazy, but when Minx strained to throw up that hairball, she had a vasovagal response that spun her into a prolonged episode of low blood pressure.  My cat had passed out.

I was never so relieved as when my friend, Erika, a senior tech at the hospital, walked back into the exam room (where I was going over history with the intake nurse) with Minx alert and normal in her arms.  We had seen Minx have a ten second vasovagal episode before, but nothing like we had today.  

The vet told me to always default to bring her if it happened again.  Better to be safe than sorry.  And Erika chimed in with, "And make sure you call ahead like you did.  That way we can be ready and know what we are dealing with when you arrive."  That's when I found out how they had prepped an area and where ready to administer CPR to Minx.

So if there's a lesson that all my friends with pets out there can learn, it is to have your vet's number saved in your phone.  Just like I did this morning, when there is an emergency, the number you can recall any other day from memory, will be gone.

 

Comments (27)

Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Glad Minx is okay.  Liz has quite a few vets in her phone.  Last night she had to take one of our older cats to the emergency clinic.  Blood work, x-rays, etc., still not sure exactly what is going on other than my wallet being a lot lighter.  Time to go sell another house....

May 10, 2018 06:52 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Liz and Bill Spear --All but one of ours in insured, and the insurance is fantastic. 

May 10, 2018 01:26 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

With 15 cats and 4 Chihuahuas I'd have to sell a house a month just to pay for pet insurance. 

May 10, 2018 02:00 PM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Glad your Minx was not in serious jeapordy. I can imagine your fear as you assessed the situation.

It is clear that you are a well prepared person, having the emergency number of the vet in your phone. They were able to quickly be ready for your arrival.

Chris Ann Cleland is a great Real Estate agent because she knows what is important and is ready to help her clients even in extreme situations.

Thanks for sharing.

@

May 10, 2018 07:29 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

John Wiley --And any contact I need on the fly in real estate is in there too.  I like to be prepared.

May 10, 2018 01:26 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

We have vets in Oklahoma City and Jupter Florida on the speed dialers. 

May 10, 2018 07:03 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Glad to hear your little Minx is OK, if you read my  posts regularly you would think I work for the Vet only, now in all fairness I work also for the Tax Man and the Wine guy... so with that said, we are in constant communication with our Vet via Emails, hard to imagine:))Endre

May 10, 2018 09:40 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Endre Barath, Jr. --My vet knows me.  I am a frequent flyer.  It happens with five cats that are considered past their prime.

May 11, 2018 09:22 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.

Chris Ann love it, your house sounds so much like ours as Diane is calling me about scheduling and rescheduling the Vet Appointments and I am working around these times with my clients:) Of course I would not be writing so lightheartedly but since Minx is OK so I feel great to write like this,Endre

May 11, 2018 10:51 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Happy to hear your Minx is doing fine. I won't say our vet is on speed dial, but certainly the phone number is there and we have made use of it in emergencies over the years. Our vet is so great and always available under these circumstances.

May 11, 2018 06:16 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Nina Hollander --Great vet resources are imperative for pet owners.

May 11, 2018 09:23 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Great advice Chris Ann!  I don't have any pets now but I used to and can see this would be very valuable.  Get them in the car and call on the way!  So glad your Minx is ok and hope you all have a great weekend.

May 12, 2018 06:15 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Oh man, I'm so relieved to hear that this ended well. I was nervous until I got to the part about Minx being okay.  We do have our vet on speed dial - and we saved Mac's life a few years ago by responding quickly to his symptoms of poisoning. ( From organic potting mix!)

May 12, 2018 06:33 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD --You never know what something seemingly so innocuous can do to a pet.

May 12, 2018 11:45 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Oh, geez,  Chris Ann, you had my heart beating while reading this. Sooooo glad Minx is OK. I would have freaked out too. And yes, I have a dozen vet numbers in my cell, including several emergency hospitals and UC Davis.

May 12, 2018 12:56 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents --I imagine you are much the same in an emergency.  Grab the cat, get in the car and dial away.

May 12, 2018 01:54 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                                                            

         Thank you Chris Ann. 

May 12, 2018 05:57 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Thank you for including this post in your weekly Ah-ha moments.

May 13, 2018 09:15 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Chris Ann. Great advice about being prepared. Happy Minx is better. Enjoy your day.

May 13, 2018 04:31 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I can see why your post was highlighted this week!  Well done!

May 13, 2018 06:11 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

With the Vets and pets hospital getting bought out by investors. They tried to squeeze most out of doctors. My doctor was laid off twice and I found out she lost her home also as single vet..... Sad story.

May 13, 2018 08:25 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Sam Shueh --I heard a horrible story about cutting hours from one of my vet friends.  She was laid off for working too much, right before going in to perfom emergency, life saving surgery on a dog.  Thankfully, we have no complaints with our current vet hospital.  They have been there for us through so much.

May 13, 2018 09:17 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Chris Ann. I am so glad you are smart enough to do this. When I get home I will do it too.

May 13, 2018 11:52 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Hi, Chris Ann.

       Sad note:  this past week our 16-year old, The Happy Cat, passed away.  He was the last of his pride.   

        The Happy Cat was lovable, entertaining, and quite intelligent.  He lived a true "cat's life".  Mostly yard cat, but coming inside now and then to curl up on the couch and purr for a couple of hours.

        Our dear friend rests in the shade where this photo was taken 10 or 11 years ago, in a patch of woods behind our former house in northeast Tallahassee.  When we rescued him from an office complex in late 2002, this was Happy Cat's first home.

 

     

   

May 13, 2018 12:07 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

I'm so sorry for your loss Fred Griffin .  Happy Cat was blessed to have you looking out for him and giving him a happy home.

May 13, 2018 12:20 PM
Kat Palmiotti

I am so sorry to hear about Happy Cat as well. It sounds as though he has the perfect final resting spot.

May 16, 2018 10:33 AM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Chris Ann, after reading this both of our phones are at the ready. Never really gave it a thought until now but our Gracie may certainly appreciate it someday. Thank You! Here via Kathy Streib 

May 13, 2018 01:50 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Kevin J. May --Which reminds me, I need to give my brother the number and address of the new emergency vet in the event he needs it.  They are dealing with a dog with heart problems at the moment.

May 14, 2018 09:58 AM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Keeping the vet's number in the phone (as well as on the fridge) is wise.

May 13, 2018 09:54 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Michelle Carr-Crowe-Top 1% Diamond Certified Real Estate Team Sells Cupertino San Jose Homes-Just Call 408-252-8900 --They are certainly all there too.

May 14, 2018 09:58 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Yes, all important numbers are in my contacts.  You can never be too prepared.  Glad to hear your Minx is OK after all that.

May 14, 2018 01:18 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I am glad to hear everything is okay with Minx. Such a great tip - if you have pets, keep the veterinarian number saved on your phone.

May 16, 2018 10:34 AM
Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

So glad your story had a happy ending. I know that feeling well, as we have had similar emergencies with our fur baby. And YES.. the vet's number is definately saved - and given to whoever is watching our little one. She was a "frequent flyer" to the vet for a while as a young pup, so they know her well there.

May 20, 2018 07:50 AM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Chris Ann,

That vagus nerve can really do a number on mammals, no?

Aug 03, 2018 12:41 PM