Call number
636.08 T
Collection
Publication
Broadway Books (2009), Edition: Reprint, 304 pages
Description
From the frontlines of modern medicine, this is an insider portrait of a veterinarian, his furry patients, and the blend of old-fashioned instincts and cutting-edge technology that defines pet care in the 21st century. Dr. Trout, an Englishman who is a staff surgeon at Boston's Angell Animal Medical Center, takes the reader on a vicarious journey through 24 intimate, heartrending hours in his life; his wry, companionable voice offers enlightening anecdotes about cuddly (or not-so-cuddly) pets and their variously zany, desperate, and demanding owners --From publisher description.
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member trojanpotato
Sadly, this book was mediocre or worse. Dr. Trout is clearly a knowledgeable, caring, and engaged vet, but as a writer he is prone to verbosity and bad metaphors. I mostly blame his editors, who clearly weren't paying attention on a few levels, as there were typos in addition to the unchecked
As both an example and an excuse, I present this quote from the book in which he's talking about working with patients that can't ...tell you where it hurts, if you'll pardon me: "It is this dependence on a different kind of language, the quintessential allure of an absence of words, an absence that, as they say, makes the heart grow fonder."
He's not just saying that; he really is inordinately fond of words and using them in often unnecessary profusion. If he writes more, I hope he finds a better editor because I'm sure he has good stories, they just need shaping.
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verbal stylings of the good doctor.As both an example and an excuse, I present this quote from the book in which he's talking about working with patients that can't ...tell you where it hurts, if you'll pardon me: "It is this dependence on a different kind of language, the quintessential allure of an absence of words, an absence that, as they say, makes the heart grow fonder."
He's not just saying that; he really is inordinately fond of words and using them in often unnecessary profusion. If he writes more, I hope he finds a better editor because I'm sure he has good stories, they just need shaping.
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LibraryThing member infiniteletters
Nick Trout, a veterinary surgeon, tells stories about a series of pets and their "parents", rearranged over the course of a single day. Since Nick is a specialist, he tends to see patients for limited appointments rather than the full story of their regular vet, but he gets to see their highest
I read the excerpt on the publisher's website, but I still wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it was. Cliche, it know, but it made me laugh, made me cry... As long as he writes a 2nd book (or more), he's a worthy successor to James Herriot.
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points along with their lowest points. But Nick doesn't just tell stories about patients, he also provides an informative context: the cost of vet care vs human care (pet insurance), the low admissions rate and shifting gender balance in vet school, the advent of people (mis)diagnosing their pets based on internet research, etc.I read the excerpt on the publisher's website, but I still wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it was. Cliche, it know, but it made me laugh, made me cry... As long as he writes a 2nd book (or more), he's a worthy successor to James Herriot.
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LibraryThing member NorthernStar
I really enjoyed this book, and found it hard to put down. It is one I will recommend to my animal-loving friends. Reminiscent of James Herriot in a modern setting; the author combines humour with snapshots of the successes and failures of a veterinary surgery. He portrays for us a mix of triumphs
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and tragedies, where you don’t always know at the time which you are dealing with. The relationships between animals and their owners and caregivers are well portrayed, and he reminds you that his job is as much about the owners as their pets. For the most part, the technique of switching back and forth between past and present works well, fitting the story into the space of a single day. Occasionally he lost me temporarily with the flashbacks between past and present, and I had to flip back a few pages to reorient myself. At times he reaches rather hard for the similes he uses; they sometimes feel a bit awkward. I felt these were minor complaints, and look forward to another book by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member tardis
Nick Trout gives readers an insight into the side of the animal health industry that pet owners (sorry, I refuse to call us pet "parents") don't often understand very well. He treats his patients and their owners with respect, the latest medical technology and good old-fashioned know-how and evokes
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tears and laughter in doing it. His writing is occasionally a bit stiff and he jumps around a bit - he'll start a story then jump back into the past to describe some earlier event that has bearing on the current one, then back to the current event - but this is still a very enjoyable book. Show Less
LibraryThing member nakedsushi
Dr. Nick Trout is the animal surgeon turned author who wrote Tell Me Where It Hurts. I heard of him through NPR when he was promoting his book a few months ago.Tell Me Where It Hurts follows him through a hectic but not atypical day in his clinic.
Trout is a talented storyteller who balances cold,
At the beginning of the book, I dreaded the thought of reading some sad tale of an animal that didn’t make it, but Trout manages not to go down that route — or at least spares us the dramatics. Most stories are not so much about the animals, but more about the owners/parents of the animals and how they see their pets.
The book is also a well-crafted glance into the professional life someone in that field with a few tips of how to deal with difficult humans. I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of heading down the path to becoming a doctor of four-legged friends.
Trout is a talented storyteller who balances cold,
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hard facts like those found in a college biology textbook with rich, florid descriptions of patients and their parents. Sometimes this flows beautifully, but other times it can be quite jarring to just finish reading an anecdote and be thrown into the technical jargon of a complicated surgery.At the beginning of the book, I dreaded the thought of reading some sad tale of an animal that didn’t make it, but Trout manages not to go down that route — or at least spares us the dramatics. Most stories are not so much about the animals, but more about the owners/parents of the animals and how they see their pets.
The book is also a well-crafted glance into the professional life someone in that field with a few tips of how to deal with difficult humans. I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of heading down the path to becoming a doctor of four-legged friends.
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LibraryThing member hoot
Who could walk past this book cover and not pick it up? "Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a memoir, a day in the life of a vet. You think you know, but you have no idea. (I couldn't resist)
The book is laid out as if all the events occurred in one day. The chapters are marked with timestamps in addition
The stories are touching, he really manages to humanize the profession. He shows the ugly side people assume vets have, a money grubbing advancement stance to the profession. He also discredits that claim, stating his case and showing some excellent examples.
Dr. Trout also shows the bond between a person and their pet. He understand that bond better than most people and his novel shows how he has worked his entire life to understand and honor that bond.
He also shows the complexity of dealing with many species, from box turtles to persians. He jokes that at least human doctors only have to learn one species anatomy. He adds validity to the career of a Veterinarian by exposing the complexity of the profession.
The stories are downright charming, at times tragic. Most of us have a pet and can identify with the relationships featured in this novel. A must for pet lovers and non-fiction lovers alike.
The book is laid out as if all the events occurred in one day. The chapters are marked with timestamps in addition
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to the topic being covered. Within each chapter is the story of an animal that has come to visit Dr. Nick Trout. He tells many other stories within each chapter, covering his entire life with animals, related to each particular visit. The layout is fluid and an absolute breeze to read, considering the amount of information.The stories are touching, he really manages to humanize the profession. He shows the ugly side people assume vets have, a money grubbing advancement stance to the profession. He also discredits that claim, stating his case and showing some excellent examples.
Dr. Trout also shows the bond between a person and their pet. He understand that bond better than most people and his novel shows how he has worked his entire life to understand and honor that bond.
He also shows the complexity of dealing with many species, from box turtles to persians. He jokes that at least human doctors only have to learn one species anatomy. He adds validity to the career of a Veterinarian by exposing the complexity of the profession.
The stories are downright charming, at times tragic. Most of us have a pet and can identify with the relationships featured in this novel. A must for pet lovers and non-fiction lovers alike.
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LibraryThing member Cynara
This book is partly a funny, humane account of life in a veterinary clinic and partly a discussion of current veterinary issues. Trout has a gift for characterisation, and his brief descriptions of animals and their owners are evocative. I found his stories interesting, and his writing is clear,
Trout occasonally gets a bit carried away with his metaphors; when he asks a coworker for an opinion on one of his patients he tells us bewilderingly: "There's no cost to the client and no paperwork generated as informal consults trade back and forth between clinicians like kids trading Halloween candy. My surgical training and skills have my plastic pumpkin swag bag overloaded with SweeTarts, and I am happy to let sticky-fingered sugar-cravers pilfer my stash, but, when I want the Almond Joy of pain control, I go find Dr. Maganiello."
I also found the typos distracting - Dr. Trout deserved better from his editors. "Wretch" instead of "retch", "velure" instead of "velour", and "peak" instead of "peek" were distracting and gave the book a hastily-finished feel.
Still, I don't want to be mean here; this is a fine, funny book, and many of the funniest moments stem from Trout's willingness to laugh at himself. I've had to read parts out loud to my family. I think it would be a fine gift for any pet "mom" or "dad" as Trout calls us here.
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but the book might have benefited from reducing the number of stories & allowing him to expand a little more on each one. Trout occasonally gets a bit carried away with his metaphors; when he asks a coworker for an opinion on one of his patients he tells us bewilderingly: "There's no cost to the client and no paperwork generated as informal consults trade back and forth between clinicians like kids trading Halloween candy. My surgical training and skills have my plastic pumpkin swag bag overloaded with SweeTarts, and I am happy to let sticky-fingered sugar-cravers pilfer my stash, but, when I want the Almond Joy of pain control, I go find Dr. Maganiello."
I also found the typos distracting - Dr. Trout deserved better from his editors. "Wretch" instead of "retch", "velure" instead of "velour", and "peak" instead of "peek" were distracting and gave the book a hastily-finished feel.
Still, I don't want to be mean here; this is a fine, funny book, and many of the funniest moments stem from Trout's willingness to laugh at himself. I've had to read parts out loud to my family. I think it would be a fine gift for any pet "mom" or "dad" as Trout calls us here.
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LibraryThing member kingsportlibrary
Wonderful book by a veterinarian working in one of the largest and oldest hospitals in the world - Boston's Angell Hospital where they have equipment to do just about anything using the latest technology. He also points out that there are only 28 vet schools in the country and competition to become
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a vet is even tougher than medical doctor. His "typical day" is filled with many different cases & some are heartbreaking & some are very funny & all are informative & make us appreciate the decisions & compassion & intelligence that goes into the care of our pets. The bond between people & their pets is recognized & respected as part of the care. You will learn a lot from this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member unadillacats
Nice easy read. Dr. Trout writes like most of us think. When a particular situation presents itself, most of us conjure up memories of similar circumstances, especially when a lesson was learned.
Dr. Trout gives the reader a good amount of information without overwhelming him with medical
I hope there are more from this author. I can see his writing appealing to a wide audience.
Dr. Trout gives the reader a good amount of information without overwhelming him with medical
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terminology. There are heartwarming stories as well as humorous anecdotes.I hope there are more from this author. I can see his writing appealing to a wide audience.
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LibraryThing member lefty33
At first I found the jump-around style of storytelling distracting. I kept wanting it to read like the James Herriot books -- a chapter for this case, a new chapter for that case. Once I understood that the whole book was going to be back and forth, I was good with it and enjoyed the reading
This was a delightful read. I loved to learn some of the updated methods and options for treatments in the animal world. Medicine is worlds beyond what Herriot practiced in his day! Trout has wonderful insight into the ways of both animals and their humans. Anyone who understands the bond between a person and his pet will enjoy this book.
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immensely. Of course, the back and forth style fits this book since it is one day of following Trout in the hospital. There isn't a definitive chapter between all patients, especially in surgery, what with post-op check-ups and all. And so the narrative is juggled in the same manner that Trout juggles between multiple cases at once.This was a delightful read. I loved to learn some of the updated methods and options for treatments in the animal world. Medicine is worlds beyond what Herriot practiced in his day! Trout has wonderful insight into the ways of both animals and their humans. Anyone who understands the bond between a person and his pet will enjoy this book.
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LibraryThing member innermurk
When beginning, one can't help but to compare any vet/animal stories to the omnipresent reputation of James Herriot's stories. He is the quintessential English vet and has set the tone and reputation. However I was determined to get through this narrative without comparing the two, if only because
The narrative comprises exactly one day, which we are informed of in the prologue, at first I was skeptical, how could any one typical day be packed with enough variety and interest to write a novel about? Surely there wouldn't be the range needed to cover the entire story in any one day that would be believable! The author addresses this beautifully with flashbacks and comparisons. The cases are typical and believable, but are integrated with previous cases, animals and people almost seamlessly. There were only a few jumps between subjects that felt slightly schizophrenic, but they didn't last long enough to be bothersome.
The stories here tend to be a little less pastoral and a little more technical. The author is not shy about sharing statistics and studies and quoting vocational journals. But, the jargon is kept to a bare minimum and is explained when present, so it becomes interesting instead of just confusing.
The stories run from entertaining to poignant, to downright tearjerkers. Life and death, and birth and illness, and everything in-between is explored in a way to cause the reader to ponder. Never preachy or pushy, Nick Trout has taken his place among the timeless animal stories, and steps side-by-side with Mr. Herriot on my bookshelf.
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of the differences in time between the novels. I was both amused and surprised when the author himself decided to not avoid those comparisons himself, but embraced them, acknowledging the master, and unapologetically continuing with his own style.The narrative comprises exactly one day, which we are informed of in the prologue, at first I was skeptical, how could any one typical day be packed with enough variety and interest to write a novel about? Surely there wouldn't be the range needed to cover the entire story in any one day that would be believable! The author addresses this beautifully with flashbacks and comparisons. The cases are typical and believable, but are integrated with previous cases, animals and people almost seamlessly. There were only a few jumps between subjects that felt slightly schizophrenic, but they didn't last long enough to be bothersome.
The stories here tend to be a little less pastoral and a little more technical. The author is not shy about sharing statistics and studies and quoting vocational journals. But, the jargon is kept to a bare minimum and is explained when present, so it becomes interesting instead of just confusing.
The stories run from entertaining to poignant, to downright tearjerkers. Life and death, and birth and illness, and everything in-between is explored in a way to cause the reader to ponder. Never preachy or pushy, Nick Trout has taken his place among the timeless animal stories, and steps side-by-side with Mr. Herriot on my bookshelf.
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LibraryThing member debikm
What a warm and heartfelt look into the world of veterinary medicine! Dr. Trout tells his stories of success and failure, of pets and their owners, with an affection and understanding that can only be gained from years of experience in the field.
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
Written by a veterinary surgeon in Boston, this book gives a glimpse into the daily life of a vet. Dr. Trout takes us through many kinds of surgeries and other interactions with his patients. It definitely gave me a new view of vets and a clearer picture of what animals mean to people. Dr. Trout
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presents the cases as if they all happened in a single day, which is a device I thought he could have done without, but overall I thought it was a very interesting book. A (rather obvious, perhaps) red flag is that he talks about euthanasia at several different points in the book and his descriptions of surgery can be somewhat graphic. This book is not for the squeamish or very sensitive. Show Less
LibraryThing member jocraddock
"Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a greatly enjoyable read, from and including the expressive portrait on the front cover to the back. Nick Trout has condensed a library of interesting stories about his practice, his patients and their owners into a fascinating day-in-the-life of an animal surgeon.
I
His writing style is engaging and warm, even when the story being shared is frustrating. A British ex-pat, he has weaved familiar American references into his telling (although he refers to "regular" paper as A4-size). He has successfully told stories within stories without losing the reader in following the plot.
The awareness and care that Dr. Trout puts into not only the pet's health, but the relationship with its owner is what every loving pet owner hopes for from their vet, and the examination of the vet-patient-client relationship is an integral part of the book's journey through this day-in-the-life story. Whether you are already aware of this complex relationship, or trying to understand why your friend/lover/spouse feels "that" way about their pet, the reader can learn something.
I
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couldn't put the book down until I knew how the day ended, and friends and family have been regaled with clips from the book since. (Our thought that our Labrador -- not Fatador -- mix is smarter-than-most, has been confirmed!)His writing style is engaging and warm, even when the story being shared is frustrating. A British ex-pat, he has weaved familiar American references into his telling (although he refers to "regular" paper as A4-size). He has successfully told stories within stories without losing the reader in following the plot.
The awareness and care that Dr. Trout puts into not only the pet's health, but the relationship with its owner is what every loving pet owner hopes for from their vet, and the examination of the vet-patient-client relationship is an integral part of the book's journey through this day-in-the-life story. Whether you are already aware of this complex relationship, or trying to understand why your friend/lover/spouse feels "that" way about their pet, the reader can learn something.
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LibraryThing member drsyko
Dr. Trout is a good story teller, and his subject is one that most of us relate to: our pets. Dr. Trout details a sort of "day in the life of" a vet surgeon, and along the way adds some interesting information about pets and their owners. This book has the feel of someone sitting on the porch over
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a beer telling you about their very interesting day. The language is colloquial and the pace is snappy. If you love animals, you'll really enjoy this book, and might learn a few things along the way. For example, I have myasthenia gravis--who knew that dogs could get it too?? (Fortunately I don't have to be put to sleep!) Dr. Trout is obviously a man who cares about both animals and people, and he writes about them, even the difficult and stubborn among them (both animals and people), with wit and compassion and a wry sense of humor. Read this book, you'll enjoy it! Show Less
LibraryThing member LeHack
Is it possible to cry and laugh at the same time? There are many heartfelt stories about much loved pets and their ailments in this book. The story of Sage, and the heroic efforts to save her, giving her a little more time with her owner was very moving. I laughed along when I read about the man
Trout also discusses when do you treat an animal, and when do you make the decision to euthanize? When is the treatment causing more pain and trauma than the alternative? He has a chapter on "cosmetic surgery". Thank heavens most states have outlawed ear cropping and tail docking which I feel is barbaric. The animals look better as nature intended.
It took me back to occasions of standing in a vet's office waiting for the results of an xray, or blood test and the agonizing decision to put a loved pet down. I am thankful for empathetic vets such as Nick Trout.
I received the book yesterday and finished it this evening. A very quick and very entertaining read. Some of the narratives about sick animals are very moving, but there is enough humor woven through the book to keep it light. I highly recommend this book to those with a canine or feline family member.
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who spent $35k to save his dog, only to realize he only spent $32K on an engagement ring for his fiance. I hope she doesn't find out where she stands. Trout describes some of the challenges he faced when treating animals, but the pet owners provided some of the entertainment in the book. Trout also discusses when do you treat an animal, and when do you make the decision to euthanize? When is the treatment causing more pain and trauma than the alternative? He has a chapter on "cosmetic surgery". Thank heavens most states have outlawed ear cropping and tail docking which I feel is barbaric. The animals look better as nature intended.
It took me back to occasions of standing in a vet's office waiting for the results of an xray, or blood test and the agonizing decision to put a loved pet down. I am thankful for empathetic vets such as Nick Trout.
I received the book yesterday and finished it this evening. A very quick and very entertaining read. Some of the narratives about sick animals are very moving, but there is enough humor woven through the book to keep it light. I highly recommend this book to those with a canine or feline family member.
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LibraryThing member brewergirl
This was a very engaging book about a composite "day in the life" of an animal surgeon at Boston's Angell Animal Medical Center. I enjoyed Dr. Trout's writing style and sense of humor. Although it is written as if it chronicles a single day, we get a glimpse of his own background, previous cases,
He also tried to show the deep connection between people and their animals. His descriptions of people's attitudes and reactions was pretty good and covered a wide spectrum. I think, though, that if you aren't already an "animal person" you would still not understand how much animals mean to some people. It is a hard thing to describe to someone who just doesn't get it ... like the daughter of the elderly man in the book, who kept referring to her father's beloved dog as "it."
Overall it was a charming read that had me smiling at points and teary eyed at others.
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and current issues in veterinary science. He also tried to show the deep connection between people and their animals. His descriptions of people's attitudes and reactions was pretty good and covered a wide spectrum. I think, though, that if you aren't already an "animal person" you would still not understand how much animals mean to some people. It is a hard thing to describe to someone who just doesn't get it ... like the daughter of the elderly man in the book, who kept referring to her father's beloved dog as "it."
Overall it was a charming read that had me smiling at points and teary eyed at others.
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LibraryThing member ladydzura
I've long been a fan of animal tales: my mother started me on James Herriot's books at a young age, and I haven't looked back. I know that I'll end up working my way through a box of tissues with most of them, but that doesn't deter me in the least. So, naturally, I was terribly excited when Tell
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Me Where It Hurts was offered through the ER program -- and I wasn't disappointed in the least. Dr. Trout has a wonderful narrative voice, one that makes you care for his patents almost as much as he so obviously does, and his sense of humor had me laughing through much of the book. A pet owner myself, I appreciated the look into Dr. Trout's world, which has changed so drastically from the days of James Herriot. Technology has vastly improved and pet owners have become so much more involved in their pets lives, but as Dr. Trout tells us, this doesn't always make his job easier. Tell Me Where It Hurts is a terrific addition to the library of any pet owner or animal lover. Show Less
LibraryThing member laurion
As someone engaged to a Vet student, I was already pretty familiar with the world of Dr. Trout before turning page one. Even still, the author's clear style, sense of pacing, and ability to transport the reader made for a compelling book that I was eager to devour. Trout pulls back the curtain and
Anyone with a love of pets, or a desire to see inside the realm of Veterinary Medicine would be well served by this book.
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invites the reader to see things through his eyes in the context of a fictitious days events, events based on his own actual experiences. While recounting the tale of this nonstop day, he manages to take compelling detours through his own recollections and memoirs, bringing in elements of learning, humanity, humor, and practicality. Best of all, at no point does he shy away from the realism. He talks about the actual science and medicine with actual industry terminology, but is able to casually explain everything to the reader without breaking the flow of the narrative.Anyone with a love of pets, or a desire to see inside the realm of Veterinary Medicine would be well served by this book.
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LibraryThing member diovival
Maybe I set my expectations too high. This is usually the kind of book I would enjoy reading. I love animals so I gravitated toward this book with the cover image of a seemingly sad-faced boston terrier. The chance to read about the modern pet healthcare system from an insider's perspective seemed
Dr. Trout's decision to take his years of experiences and mishmash them into ONE day at the Angell Animal Medical Center didn't work for me. I think it was a huge mistake to do this. The overall story lacked focus and heart. All his digressions and skips down memory lane ended up being distractions rather than adding richness to the main story. I also found his attempts at humor cringe worthy rather than funny.
This is a classic case of someone who should just stick to what they know. I'm sure Dr. Trout is a great animal surgeon. He seems to be passionate about his profession and has great respect for the bond between pet and owner. I only hope he never has the urge to write again. There are so many great animal books out there. You won't miss a thing skipping this one.
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too good to pass up. Boy was I disappointed by this book.Dr. Trout's decision to take his years of experiences and mishmash them into ONE day at the Angell Animal Medical Center didn't work for me. I think it was a huge mistake to do this. The overall story lacked focus and heart. All his digressions and skips down memory lane ended up being distractions rather than adding richness to the main story. I also found his attempts at humor cringe worthy rather than funny.
This is a classic case of someone who should just stick to what they know. I'm sure Dr. Trout is a great animal surgeon. He seems to be passionate about his profession and has great respect for the bond between pet and owner. I only hope he never has the urge to write again. There are so many great animal books out there. You won't miss a thing skipping this one.
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LibraryThing member marisol
As a devoted fan of the James Herriot books, I had high hopes indeed for this vet's stories. I was only partially disappointed in the book, primarily regarding the author's penchant for lengthy prescriptive statements and occasional preachy tone. Nonetheless I found the stories compelling, and the
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author's voice by and large earnest, compassionate, often funny, and sometimes terribly sad. I'll pass this book on and enjoy having read it once. Show Less
LibraryThing member fieldsli
A must read for anyone comtemplating a career in veterinarian medicine as well as all pet owners who enjoy a good animal story. Dr. Nick Trout takes us on a humorous and poignant 24 hour stint at the Angell Animal Medical Center .
LibraryThing member francesuzanne
This book had me laughing so hard many times. I was surprised that it actually got better as I went along. There are a few sections of dry lectures on such things as the Internet and diagnosis & human and pet attachment, which I skimmed over. The stories are told with much humor and detailed
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description. This book will go on my Staff Picks shelf at the library. Show Less
LibraryThing member grigoro
Dr. Nick Trout, a staff surgeon at a Boston vet clinic, condenses 25 years into a single busy "day", starting with a 2:47 emergency waku-up call. A 10 year old german shepard with gastric dilation vovulus (in which a dog's stomach sort of flips over) required life-saving emergency surgery. 303
What a journey between.
The majority of Dr. Trout's patients are dogs, but we also meet some amazing cats, a goose named Q, an overly amorous box turtle and a parakeet (3rd most popular pet in the US and a huge surgical challenge, with a heat rate between 600-700 beats per minute). In this memoir I learned that 69 million Americans own pets; that vets have a very high suicide rate, American pets mirror their owners obesity problems, cosmetic surgery (clipping ears and tails, for example) is illegal in the UK, and that the toughest decision a vet makes (not surprisingly) is whether to advocate putting a pet to sleep.
Recommended for animal lovers and aspiring vets.
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pages later, the book ends late at night, at 10:02 with this same old dog. What a journey between.
The majority of Dr. Trout's patients are dogs, but we also meet some amazing cats, a goose named Q, an overly amorous box turtle and a parakeet (3rd most popular pet in the US and a huge surgical challenge, with a heat rate between 600-700 beats per minute). In this memoir I learned that 69 million Americans own pets; that vets have a very high suicide rate, American pets mirror their owners obesity problems, cosmetic surgery (clipping ears and tails, for example) is illegal in the UK, and that the toughest decision a vet makes (not surprisingly) is whether to advocate putting a pet to sleep.
Recommended for animal lovers and aspiring vets.
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LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Interesting read. Not only a vet, he is a surgical vet that takes care of the worst problems you may see in your pet. I don't understand why he set up the chapters as hours in one day. It didn't really add anything to the stories, as it didn't seem linear anyway. He would start talking about a
If you have a pet, I guarantee a tear or two throughout the book. Our pets are part of our family. A look behind the curtain of those who care for them medically.
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patient and then "reminisce" about something that had happened previously, or why this is done like this, etc. I really enjoyed the book, but the timetable of one day annoyed me a bit. If you have a pet, I guarantee a tear or two throughout the book. Our pets are part of our family. A look behind the curtain of those who care for them medically.
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Pages
304
ISBN
0767926447 / 9780767926447