Taking care of a pet with severe allergies can feel like climbing a mountain, both for the pet owner and the veterinarian. For years, I’ve been treating a dog whose allergies were so intense they caused relentless itching and full-body infections, impacting every aspect of his life. When I first met him in my exam room, he was a shadow of a dog: mostly bald, emanating a strong odor of infection, and clearly miserable from the constant scratching. His owner was clearly distressed by her dog’s suffering. From our very first consultation, she demonstrated unwavering commitment, following every recommendation I made to improve his condition without hesitation.
We conducted thorough blood work, embarked on months-long treatment regimens for his persistent infections, and scheduled frequent re-examination appointments, often every two to three weeks for extended periods. Her dedication was remarkable. She diligently bathed her 60lb dog daily, as advised, and even undertook the significant task of preparing homemade meals for him. This was a considerable commitment, especially given she wasn’t wealthy and had limited free time, but her priority was clear: to alleviate her dog’s discomfort and improve his quality of life.
The transformation was incredible. This dog’s coat regrew, his constant itch subsided, the infection smell disappeared, and his overall well-being dramatically improved. Recently, he experienced an allergy flare-up leading to an ear infection. We addressed the ear infection, and during his follow-up appointment to confirm its resolution, his owner expressed heartfelt gratitude. She thanked me for “never judging her.” I was genuinely surprised by this comment and asked her to elaborate. She explained that she had consulted numerous veterinarians regarding her dog’s skin issues. She felt that many of them had prejudged her ability or willingness to care for her dog properly simply based on his initially poor condition and smell. She perceived a judgmental attitude, an assumption that she was somehow negligent, solely because of her dog’s severe symptoms. She emphasized that I was the first veterinarian who hadn’t judged her and had genuinely focused on helping her and her dog.
This experience served as a powerful reminder. While I strive for non-judgmental practice, I must admit to having likely made assumptions about clients in the past. Veterinary medicine constantly presents opportunities for learning and self-correction. I’ve witnessed clients make profound sacrifices, foregoing personal needs to afford life-saving treatments for their beloved companions, and conversely, I’ve encountered seemingly affluent clients who decline necessary diagnostic tests for their pets. The truth is, everyone operates under different circumstances and does the best they can within their own “Pet Mountain” of challenges. We as veterinarians, and as a society, can always improve in our capacity for empathy and understanding. Mother Teresa’s wisdom resonates deeply in these situations: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Judgment is quick, but genuine understanding and support require time and compassion. Let us choose to extend kindness and empathy to everyone we encounter, recognizing that we are all navigating our own unique mountains in pet ownership and care.
