His Stomach was Twisted and He Was Close to Death
Stories from my Veterinary Surgeon Archives
I used to be a veterinary surgeon. Years ago, I did thousands of surgeries.
It was my favorite part of the gig.
Taking something that was broken, putting everything in its right place, and allowing it to become whole again.
Like a one-year-old German Shepherd that came into my clinic late one night with a twisted stomach.
It was only a couple of hours away from death.
The entire family, but especially the kids, were devastated and in tears; the dog could not even stand up. The prognosis was bad.
I told them there was a 25% chance that Ruffy would make it.
I also let them know that I was only one year into my career and that I had never performed a surgery like this.
My boss took one look at Ruffy’s swollen stomach and exited the building because he believed there was zero chance of survival.
He was also a bit of an ass, but we’ll save that story for another day.
I prepped Ruffy for surgery, went and read a textbook, and then did a complicated 3-hour surgery I had never done before, which involved removing 1/3 of Ruffy’s stomach.
Exhausted. I put Ruffy into the recovery room.
I called the owners and told them we had finished and that he would be in intensive care for the next 24 hours and that his chances of pulling through were very low.
Oh, the shock I got the next morning…
When I walked into the clinic, Ruffy was standing at the cage door, wagging his tail.
It was the best feeling that I ever had while working as a vet…
To take that something that was broken and to help it become whole.
I am not a Veterinarian anymore, but my work is still the same.
I take something broken and help it to thrive.
I’ve changed species, but the work is still the same.
G.x
🙏