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by Linda Laughlin
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None of the patients in the crowded waiting room wanted to be there. They eyed one another with considerable suspicion, and one or two even trembled. Wedged between an athletic hound and a pampered poodle, Simba decided the only solution was not to look. This was certainly no place for a cat.
It was almost a relief when his name was called and he could retreat into the relative safety of the consultation room. Once on the examining table, however, his canine fears were forgotten as he faced new danger - a lab-coated stranger with an unwelcome interest in his chin.
But nervous patients are nothing new to Dr. Russell Tate, a 30 year old veterinarian. In 5 years of treating dogs and cats at Toronto's McGilvray Veterinary Hospital, he's developed a bedside manner guaranteed to soothe even the most skittish creature.
"I've always found it easy to relate to animals," says Dr. Tate, whose boyhood companion and "best friend" was - you guessed it - his dog. And whenever that "best friend" needed medical attention, he took him to the friendly vets at McGilvray's. "The fatherly, secure image of the veternarian made a deep impression, as did time spent with his grandfather, "a very dedicated old style" family doctor. As early as Grade 3, Tate decided to become a vet, and as his interest in science and medicine grew, so did his determination to fulfill that boyhood dream.
He enrolled in the University of Guelph, and after completing the required 2 years of science, entered the 4 year veterinary program. Once they've mastered the basic medical sciences, students learn to treat animals by working in the university hospital and making house calls to neighbouring farms.
Although all vets are licensed to treat both small and large animals, Dr. Tate "didn't especially like large animal medicine" - not a surprising admission from someone who's allergic to hay. "It's very demanding physically, and the circumstances under which you work may be less than desirable." He recalls one bitterly cold day when he spent 4 hours checking cows for pregnancy - a task which could only be performed in rolled up shirt sleeves. "It took 3 days to get warm again," he laughs. "Working with large animals also poses the very real risk of injury." A nervous horse caused one student to break a leg, and Dr. Tate remembers other intimidating patients - notably, several bears, and one "'heavily sedated" lion from the Peterborough zoo.
In their final year, students perform surgery and spend 60% of their time doing clinical field work. "The course is difficult," says Dr. Tate, explaining that, unlike a physician, who's restricted to one species, the veterinarian "is licensed to practice on every living animal except a human being". Because of the large volume of work to be covered, the school day is long -from 8 in the morning 'til 5 or 6 at night - and "students are continually under the gun", taking as many as 85 exams in the first year. "There's little time to socialize, "he says.
Although he had several job offers, when McGilvray's beckoned, Dr. Tate was "thrilled". Working with 3 other vets, including his childhood heroes, he puts in a 10 hour day which begins at 8 with morning treatments and the admission of surgical cases. From 10 to 12, he sees clients, then it's 3 hours of surgery and hospital case work before facing a new onslaught of troubled pets and worried owners. He's also on call 2 nights a week and every third weekend. "It can be a very long day when you work until 6, handle 2 or 3 emergencies, and then have to be back to answer the bell at 8 the next morning," he says.
Along with routine vaccinations and yearly check-ups, Dr. Tate lists ear infections, skin diseases and intestinal problems as common complaints. "We also see a lot of trauma cases, where a dog or cat is hit by a car or injured in a fight," he says.
Although most surgery involves neutering or a hysterectomy, sometimes the cases are a little unusual. He recalls operating on a dachshund whose taste preferences were hardly those of a discriminating diner. Several metal rings, some screws and a rubber football were removed from the animal's stomach, thereby restoring his appetite to its former glory.
While dogs seldom bite the hand that feeds them, the hand that wields a needle is quite another matter. "I've only been bitten once," says Dr. Tate with obvious relief, "and it was my own fault. Generally a dog gives you a warning - he growls or shows his teeth." But cats are fast and unpredictable, and he's often been on the receiving end of some very sharp claws.
Handling animals, however, is only 50% of the job - deallng with their owners constitutes the other half. "Pets are very important members of the family," says Dr. Tate, noting that for many, especially the old and lonely, a dog or cat is the only source of friendship and love. Such people may "overreact" to a pet's illness, but he "always takes the attitude that the owner is right. Many times, they're more sensitive to the animal than I am.,' On occasion, he's had to cope with a neurotic owner, such as the woman who was convinced her cat was the reincarnation of her father, but, fortunately, such cases are "the exception".
Non-emergency calls in the middle of the night, and routine chores such as nail trimming, are the only real annoyances, he claims. "You have to be prepared to work long hard hours," he says, adding that as well as academic and scientific ability, the aspiring vet must "be able to relate well to people, in order to win their confidence and trust." If you're also patient, understanding and kind, you can't miss - unless, of course, you don't like animals.
Being able to help people, and relieve pain and suffering are the biggest rewards for Dr. Tate. "I have a very fulfilled, challenging life," he says. The variety of his work means he's rarely bored, and he gets real satisfaction from seeing a case all the way through - from initial diagnosis and treatment to the final outcome. "Each day brings a new challenge," he says.
Today, it's Simba, who's come down with a case of feline acne. After shaving the infected area, and giving him an injection, Dr. Tate returns the cat to his worried owner, with instructions to administer a daily antibiotic. "It's not a life threatening problem," says Dr. Tate, but, as fellow sufferers know, a pimply chin's nothing to meow about.
Veterinarian
A veterinarian diagnoses, prevents and treats disorders in animals through a combination of medical and surgical skills. Although vets must be proficient in the treatment of both small and large animals, they may choose to work only with farm animals, domestic pets or a combination of both. In addition to entering private practice, vets are employed in a variety of areas - drugs research, disease control, meat inspection, sales promotion and animal nutrition, to name but a few.
Training
Only 3 universities in Canada offer vetrinary programs - the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Francophone University of Montreal. Enrolment is limited, and candidates must complete from 1 to 3 years of unversity science before qualifying for the 4 to 5 year program.
Aptitudes
Excellent ability to learn, good mathematical and scientific skills and ability, an interest in animals.
High School Subjects
Chemistry, physics, biology, and mathmatics NOTE: students are advised to consult a counsellor about required subjets and to check with universities.
Salary 1979 stating salary approx. $15,000, but after 4 to 5 years, many vets make in excess of $30,000 a year.
Related Careers Physican, medical researcher, animal care technician.
©1999 TG Magazine/Le Magazine TG
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