Published on October 07, 2005

In a supermarket the other day, a woman came up to me. We had met a few days before at the vet’s, where she told me all about her wonderful cat.

At our second meeting, though, she was intent on another subject. “I’m very unhappy with your vet,” she said. “She feels that she’s the only one who can prescribe medication for my cat.”

“How can you say that?” I asked. I know my vet, and I know that she supports others in her profession.

It took a bit more explanation for me to understand. The woman wanted to buy antibiotics from the vet and dose her cat herself.

“I know when he’s sick and needs antibiotics,” she said, “but the vet insists that she should examine him first. She says I’m medicating him too much.”

Sometimes, when your pet doesn’t seem well, you know what to do. If your Persian is coughing a lot but doesn’t seem to have a temperature, you should increase her brushing sessions and try a dose of a furball remedy before heading for the vet’s.

If your pup is shaking his head a lot, try cleaning his ears. In neither case should you wait before taking steps.

The cat’s cough and the dog’s head shaking could develop into more serious problems if left untreated.

On the other hand, vets are trained to assess problems. Fooling around with antibiotics seems dangerous to me.

Doctors warn that people who take them regularly develop an immunity and end up requiring increasingly stronger medication. Do you think animals are any different? That woman is very proud of her skills, but she may be preparing the way for future problems.

Besides, the antibiotics were obviously not clearing up the cat’s problem anyway.

People who try to handle their pet’s health problems without understanding it are a vet’s nightmare.

My turtle vet has asked me to tell you about a turtle she treated last week.

This ordinary red-eared slider (tao yipoon) lives in a tank with his girlfriend.

A week ago, his owner noticed something long and red coming out near his anus. Thinking it was a worm, the owner pulled it out further with some tweezers, but since he couldn’t remove it from the turtle’s body, he simply cut it off.

When a turtle’s in pain, it doesn’t scream or bite. Instead, they grow quiet, and cease moving. The owner waited a day or so before taking it to the vet, who stared at the turtle in grief and horror. The owner had cut off the turtle’s penis.

When she told him what he had done, he burst into tears.

“I’ll pay anything. Just please save him,” he said. It was too late. The owner had acted out of ignorance, but the poor creature had endured a great deal of suffering before he died.

I think of that woman and her cat. He trusts her enough to swallow any pill she shoves down his throat.

Before I could say anything, though, she was off, heading towards the chemist’s counter.

“Actually, I don’t need that vet at all,” she said. “I’ll just buy some antibiotics for humans. I know how to adjust the dosage for a cat.”

Questions about your pets? Fax (02) 751 4446 or e-mail laurie@nationgroup.com.

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