I’ve only been in the veterinary business (including schooling) about 14 years, but I’ve seen some stuff that made my heart stop and took my breath away. I will be talking about some of the people, clients, vets that I have worked with but will not be using names. Please don’t assume you know who I’m talking about. Just because you may have only seen me work for Dr Pol doesn’t mean there haven’t been numerous others (vets or clients) I have worked with.
I had a clinician I worked with who said “whether it’s something you do or don’t do, you will kill an animal one day”. I will start with a story about myself since that can only be fair. I was working on emergency one night when I got a call that a cat was unresponsive and rushed in to see it. It was a young cat, but obviously very sick as it was laying flat out, barely alive other than breathing and a heartbeat. It was severely dehydrated so I placed an IV catheter and drew some blood for testing. I was in such a hurry to get this cat rehydrated, I made the fatal error. I forgot to run fluids through the lines before hooking them up to the cat. So, the first thing she got was a big bolus of air straight to her heart. She immediately started agonal breathing and, having not realized my mistake yet, I put my stethoscope on her chest and heard what sounded like cellophane crackling with every heartbeat. Still not realizing what had happened, and armed with the results from my bloodwork showing severe kidney failure, I recommended euthanasia. The owner cried and agreed. I euthanized the poor kitty while it was likely already dying from my mistake. I later performed a necropsy (opened the body up to see what could have killed it) and found the heart full of air bubbles. I was perplexed and that’s when it dawned on me what I had done. My heart fell, I suddenly knew that I was a dark smear on the veterinary profession and I would never forgive myself. As a coping mechanism, I would eventually tell myself the cat was dying anyway and likely would not have survived whatever caused her kidneys to fail in the first place, but it still rides hard on my heart even years later.
I was working with one vet on a farm, collecting semen from stallions when the farmer told his farm hand to go and get this stallion who was stalled right next to the breeding dummy and had just witnessed another stallion getting collected. The horse in the stall was on fire! He was hot and blowing and throwing a tantrum in his stall, rearing, bucking, kicking the sides of the stall, raging with testosterone (stallions can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable). The poor farm hand got a little pale faced when he was asked to go into the stall to get this beast, but did as he was told. He went in, we heard a lot of swearing and wall kicking and squealing from the horse, when the man stepped out of the stall holding one of his hands in his other hand, in obvious pain. We went over to see what had transpired. The man was shaking and reluctantly showed us his injured hand that he had obviously not even had the courage to look at and we all gasped. The bones in his hand, the ones between the wrist and the fingers were snapped in half and completely sticking out of his skin. Picture a bony Wolverine. He asked us if we could fix it and we said no, he would need surgery, but we cleaned it and wrapped it for him to get him to the hospital. We later, at our next visit, heard that he had to have pins put in all the bones and, the farmer complained, “he was just being a big “baby” about it” (replace baby with that horrible “p” word).
I was called out to see a colic and upon arrival, I knew the horse was not going to make it. He had ingesta pouring out of his nose (a sure sign he was either choked or, in this case, ruptured his stomach – horses CANNOT vomit). I went ahead and performed my full exam, including passing a nasogastric tube to make sure it wasn’t choke and to help relieve some pressure. I palpated rectally and found that his intestines were all distended and blown up. I gave a grave prognosis and advised referral to surgery or euthanasia. That’s when he said he knew of a way to untwist intestines without having surgery. Being curious, and not one to fight with people, even though maybe I should have, but didn’t know what I was about to see, I stayed to watch. They took this enormous Belgium draft horse, placed a wide leather strap around his girth, tied his head to his girth and then placed this whole thing on a crane. They, then lifted the 2000+lb horse, who was not taking this well – was thrashing and kicking – eventually about 5 feet off the ground. I watched as men and young boys scrambled to make sure he didn’t hurt himself, but also nearly got struck by his giant thrashing legs in the meantime. I felt pain for the horse, but also extreme worry for the safety of the people trying to save this horse who was, in all likeliness, GOING to die. Once they finally got him back on his feet and got the straps off, he took a few steps and liters of ingesta started pouring out of his nose. I told them, again, he was going to die, but they just said “we’ll see” and led him back to the barn. That was the last I knew of that case – hope he made it. I love being wrong when it’s a good outcome for the patient.
I was called into see an emergency for a dog who was hit by a car. Typically, we would roll our eyes and ask (to ourselves) “and why was the dog out in the road?” but there are certainly cases of accidental escapes and this poor lady had experienced one. An older lady, close to 80 years old pulled up with this comatose boxer. I helped her get it out of the car and into the clinic. It was breathing, but not responsive and it’s pupils were dilated. I was working in a very small rural clinic and had limited capabilities for therapy on what I suspected was brain swelling. I gave it what I could. The lady stood over her, sobbing and telling me over and over that this was all her fault and she had forgotten to put the electronic collar on her before she went out and why did she forget? She has never forgotten! She bawled and kept telling this beautiful young dog how much she loved her and how sorry she was. Then, the dog stopped breathing. Just stopped. Her heart was still going, but she had stopped breathing. I suspect her brain had herniated into her brainstem (controls breathing). I had her intubated and oxygen flowing but we didn’t have a respirator. Then, I helplessly listened to the heart as it slowed, stuttered, and then stopped. I softly informed the client that her beloved dog had passed away. That’s when the poor lady started screaming, crying so loud that she quickly passed out and hit the floor. I was able to get her back to consciousness, but she was incredible weak and could not stand. I told her I was going to call an ambulance but she strongly declined. She had me call her sons who eventually showed up and we had to wheel her out of the clinic on a rolling chair. Then, the next day, after telling the story to my boss and tech, my boss angrily said “but why didn’t you collect money from her”. He was serious. My jaw hit the floor. She paid the next day *sticks tongue out to boss*
I got called into the clinic on an emergency for a bloated great dane. I quickly ascertained that the dog had a GDV – a stomach that has flipped over and bloats quickly, and is an extreme “right NOW” emergency as the stomach can start to die immediately. I had never performed the surgery and it is very involved, so I advised they take their dog to an emergency clinic right away to have the surgery performed. Due to financial concerns, the clients declined and begged me to do the surgery even though I told them I had never done it and our clinic was ill-equipped to do it. They would rather me try a new surgery than have to euthanize their dog. I told them I would call another vet at the clinic because they had done the surgery before. I called, the doctor agreed to come in. While we were waiting, I was able to pass an orogastric tube and partially debloat the stomach. When the other doctor arrived, I had everything set up to go, IV catheter was in, fluids flowing, surgery was completely set up, drugs were drawn for anesthesia. The doctor looked at the dog, said it wasn’t that bad and said the dog didn’t need surgery that we could just hospitalize it overnight (no one is there all night) on fluids. My jaw dropped in front of the clients and they saw my face. I tried to argue and said that since we are already set up for surgery, wouldn’t it be best to just go ahead and tack the stomach just in case. The doctor said “no, he’ll be fine”. We put him in a cage and shut the door. When I came to check on him in the morning, he was re-bloated, purple, and unresponsive. We quickly got him onto the surgery table where he promptly died. Though I partially blamed myself for that one, the owners were appreciative and let me know. They, then got another great dane puppy and made sure to ask for me every time. That made my heart feel a little better.
I am enjoying this blog so much. Thank you for showing us the underlying sides of the vet world.
I am a psychologist and though it has never happened to me, I have had fellow psych docs who have had patients that have killed themselves after extended counseling. It causes a shift in the way you think about your colleagues and made me determined to always treat each patient with the highest level of care possible. I believe you have the same heart for excellence Dr Emily and your work shows it.
I’m sorry to see you go! But I am still confused as why you left?
I see that it’s extremely demanding at Pol Vet (time-wise, at least. Physically demanding too, but looks like Dr. E was doing well on that). For the young family, it’s not healthy and not feasible for Dr. Emily to stay. I’m very happy to see that Dr. Emily is having a more balanced life now. God bless His people no matter which part on Earth do they choose to dwell in 🙂
Thank you for sharing. You work in a difficult profession.
Wow! You have certainly seen your share of things.. things that happen, things that go wrong.. wrong diagnosis..
Kudos to you for staying with it. You are an excellent vet.. Don’t ever underestimate yourself.. in a perfect world all would go right … but…call it experience instead. 😉❤
The honesty of a great vet (and person) shown in this chapter would make me insist on wanting Dr. Emily to be the only one to handle my animals……….”especially my horses.
Another blog well done…….thanx, Missus T. Peace👍🤠
It’s so good to continue hearing from you. I want to tell you that I would have asked you to do the surgery on the Dane with bloat just like those owners did. From the time you started at PVS, I liked you and felt trust. Continued best wishes.
You’ve seen a lot of grief in your short life and I have to give you credit for having the strength to stick with it. It definitely changes a person. It doesn’t make life any easier but it does make you value the magic of life even more. You are on your way to becoming a great person and a great vet. I salute you.
Thank you for sharing your life stories. I really enjoy this blog and look forward to reading each post
Thanks for posting the photo of the strung up Belgium. I can’t unsee that! 🙁
“but why didn’t you collect money from her”…
Our daughter had a Gerbil named Peanut who went into distress one morning (I figured: stroke or coronary), barely functioning. I knew his time was very near but my daughter insisted on taking him to the vet. The vet assessed him (prelim, at the reception counter) and was pretty sure she’d have to euthanize him but took him to the back room and suddenly there was all kinds of clamor. He had arrested and she was upset because it happened as she was assessing him and he struggled. The poor woman was sure she had killed him (but… he was at dying and we would have had her euthanize him anyway). She refused to charge for the visit.
That was kindness ; very kind, because it wasn’t necessary; it wasn’t her fault he died.
I enjoyed this post. I too have guilt over a pet’s death that haunts me (I guess after years, it always will). The kids adopted two Robo Dwarf Hamster brothers, who came in their cage. The one seemed aggressive but they had always lived together (so we were told by the former owner) so I didn’t split them up. When I actually saw aggressive behavior for myself, violent attacks by the bully, I separated the double cage set up they had by sealing off the tube that was the passage way between the two. Now the bully boy couldn’t get to the calm boy.
Before I went to bed one night, I forgot to check the seal between the two sides (I ALWAYS did that). Overnight, the bully got through and killed poor Scooter. It was horrible (and visibly violent). I was devastated, and still have guilt about poor Scooter. He didn’t deserve such a horrible end. 🙁 And I know it was partially my fault. It was my job to keep him safe,
I was shocked by the story and the photos of Belgium draft horse and wonder if it is not punishable and is subject to animal abuse !
I 40 years as a nurse on the human side. Your stories resonate with me from parallel or similar experiences. Those negative outcomes do stay with you. I learned you can teach skills and knowledge, but you can’t teach compassion and empathy to someone who grew up without it. It is evident that you have the whole package. It can be challenging to work in a world where you are not respected for those qualities by those who don’t have them. Take care of yourself, follow your heart, and know that in each situation you gave your best. I love the honesty and vulnerability in your blog. Also the pictures of family and pets. Thanks for sharing.
Dr Emily you’ve just proven once again that your heart is in the right place…always. I would hazard a guess that you’ve worked with some complete idiotic blowhards in your veterinary career. Had it been me in your place, I don’t believe for a minute that I would have held back from unleashing my anger and incredulity on their overblown egotistical fatheads! I probably would have caused you to lose your job in the process. That’s why you are your level headed self and you are in the best profession that suits your warm, caring, heartfelt personality. Stay your warm and caring self and you will be rewarded in the end, whether on earth or when you arrive in heaven, and trust me people such as you always get that highest of life’s rewards!
Stand your ground and don’t let anyone try to back you down☺️
This was a fascinating post! I love reading about your cases. I so enjoy this blog with both you and Tony’s perspectives. Thank you!
You’re a loving & caring doctor. Hindsight is always 20/20! Don’t beat yourself up over would’ve, should’ve or could’ve. Sometimes we’re not meant to intercede into what is meant to happen.
Interesting. Would be interested in your observations on your new job at Warren County.
Best always!
As a career vet tech . I can say – YEP !!
Dr. Emily, I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.
I so love reading your blog , and I loved you on tv . My husband and I always watch the reruns when they are on . We hope that one day you’ll have your own clinic and show . I really think you should right a book , I’ll buy the first one . I have 2 GSDogs that I run in agility every week not to compete but to exercise them and their minds . I’ve learned so much watching you and I pay more attention to my girls . I also have 4 rescue cats .
You can’t beat yourself up these things happen all the time by people doctors, nurses etc. Most important to learn from your mistake or others persons mistakes. Just from seeing you at Dr. Pol’s and your 3 adopted animals, I think your an awesome vet and mom, per Tony a wonderful wife.
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Dr., You are one careing and tough Ga.Peach Vet! I know it’s one of the hardest professions, one would want to be a part of. I commend you for it! God Bless
I love hearing about your experiences. I hope you share more. I think you’re amazing, Dr. Emily!
I cannot imagine having a career in which you have lives in your hands, so I admire you all the more when things go wrong and hope you are able to have as much compassion for yourself (and knowing you tried) as you have for the animals you treat and their owners. You’re awesome!
Life can be very hard at times. Especially for someone who is responsible for pets, animals, even human lives. It’s a hard and challenging job! At times very heartbreaking! We are human and we can only do our best, which sometimes just isn’t good enough. We make mistakes in many aspects of our lives. We aren’t perfect, far from it. From what I’ve seen of you on TV and from the feelings I get from reading what you, and Tony, write, you are a very caring person, as is Tony! We learn from our mistakes, many of us anyway. They make us a better person, vet, doctor, whatever we do in life. Sometimes they haunt us for the rest of our lives! I know how that is! But we have to forgive ourselves, move on and do our best not to make those mistakes again. It really helps when we have a partner and or friends that we can express how we feel and open ourselves up to. Keeping it in and trying to deal with it ourselves isn’t any good. There’s times that I hurt so bad from what I did. There’s that I actually hate myself for what I did. I’ve gotten so depressed from them. I ended up being an alcoholic and drug abuser. When I started talking to someone that I felt I could really trust with my feelings it helped me tremendously! I got help and I quit being an alcoholic and drug abuser! Can one even stop being an alcoholic or drug abusers?!! I don’t use anymore…
You’re a very caring and loving person. You have a partner that cares about your feelings. You have a wonderful family! You let things out to him, and to us reading about y’all. I have a high respect for you and what you do. If you were near me I’d love for you to be met vet for my pets! You are a great person and vet! Thank you! Keep being you! Stop letting your mistakes haunt you, I know it can be hard! Smile a little more and enjoy all the good things you have and do in this life! I and so many others love you for you! Find peace. Don’t worry, be happy! 👍✌️
Don’t ever let it get you down. We need GOOD vets in this world, and you are it.
Wow! That was heartbreaking, but as a vet, I’m sure your going to see a lot of heartbreak, and you do the best you can. If you were my vet, I’d never blame you!! I watch other animal shows, so I’m not just talking about The Incredibly Dr. Pol show, and Iv seen some owners do some OMG WHAT WERE YOU THINKING moments, plus , also Vet things Iv thought the same thing, but I’m not a vet, so I can’t say to much about them lol just last night I was watching some re runs that you were on and I won’t say which owners or what happened but I had moments of OMG people why would you ever do that, allow that or blah blah blah, to the owners. My husband was laughing and said “they can’t hear you screaming at them, and isn’t that the main reason you said you DIDNT go to Vet school, so you wouldn’t go after the owners?” I actually laughed and said yeah….. but I actually do regret it, because there are so many great , loving animal owners that it would have been worth it, plus just for the fur babies!! I’m still kicking myself in the ass for not doing it!!!
That poor horse. I would guess it’s an old remedy that’s been around. IMO it’s just a working horse to them. It must have been so horrible to watch that and to bite your tongue and not say anything. Crazy.
I love reading your stories so much.
I’d have run after the kitty episode. You’re obviously intelligent and well educated, but it takes more than that. It takes compassion and courage to go back for more. Thank goodness you didn’t let your failures or those of your clients (or other more experienced doctors) keep you from persevering to save lives.
No one is perfect right? When I watched you on Dr. Pol I never witnessed you making a “bad” call. I am so sorry you had to go through some of that stuff but I would guess it was a learning experience for sure. You are a super good vet and I would trust my dogs to you any day. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for sharing some of your experiences in your vet life. It confirms why we love you so much. You have the biggest, most loving heart of anyone we know. Keep on loving animals and people.
We love you Dr. Emily!!!
I’m sure every ER human Dr could tell similar stories. Everyone makes mistakes professionally, but few of us work in professions where mistakes can lead to death. All of us can only reasonably expect people to do their best, learn from mistakes, and try to stay on top of their field as best-practices evolve. However, not all people are reasonable. I admire your resilience and willingness to keep up the great work.
This was so interesting, and again kept my attention to the end! ❤️
I somewhat understand your feelings in these instances. I worked in human medical clinic in the office but there were things that happened that I still can remember like yesterday. They shook me to the core. I’ve seen doctors at their desks crying after dealing with a baby going into cardiac arrest in their office ( it survived after stabilizing and transport). It was just such an overwhelming and draining incident, and then knowing there are still people waiting for care.
Anyway, keep up the good work, and learn from your experiences. Know that you are a beloved vet! I also would bring my fur baby to you if you were in my area. 😊
I’m so glad you write. You are so fun to read!
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I worked with people in a hospital for years. There are so many times I think what could I have done differently . I love your blog
Emily, you are a wonderful, caring and skilled vet, don’t ever doubt that. Look what you did for poor little Winston the pig with tetanus! As a medical professional, I can say that no human or animal survives tetanus, yet your care saved that little pig! He was very, very sick, but you saved his life! Keep on doing what you are doing because you are a fantastic vet! I watch reruns over and over of Dr. Pol and I have always been impressed with your skill and compassion. Thank you for your blog and sharing the pictures. Wish you could have found out if the poor horse survived. Poor thing. God bless!
because she did what was best for her family. You act like ppl never change jobs.
You know, Emily, I was in the human health profession for years and, of course, have some stories. I think what I want to say to you directly is that no matter how much we want to be good at what we do, how hard we try every day to do the best we can in all circumstances, none of us are infallible. Yes, we can always call to mind that incident we wish we could do over, but we learn a valuable lesson from that thing, but omniscience is only God’s. You are so competent and compassionate. These are some of your gifts. I’m glad you’re in this world. Carry on!
For those of us who care about doing our best for clients, those big mistakes really weigh on us a long time. From what I can tell you genuinely love animals and do your best every time.
As for some of the other stories, all I can say is WOW.
I love this blog, Dr Emily. So many times, I could shake some of the clients you worked with. Sometimes people are so inconsiderate and uncaring about their animals and those people who are trying to save them. You are a wonderful , kind and tremendous person and an incredible vet. Good luck to you in your new home and job.