On today's episode of Twin Trees Vet Talk, we welcome our very special guest, Dr. Mike King. Dr. King is a Veterinary Surgery Specialist at Canada West Veterinary Specialists in Vancouver, BC (Canada).
Dr. King tells us what it is like to be a veterinary surgery specialist and tells us about the specialized training specialists go through after vet school (usually 4-5 additional years). He also tells us about his usual caseload- with the most common cases being orthopaedic surgeries (fractures, injured ligaments and tendons, and other diseases involving the bones and joints) and soft tissue surgeries (chest, abdomen, etc.). He also tells us about one of his most memorable cases, a young puppy with congenital heart disease that received the first successful open heart surgery in British Columbia. We hope you enjoy this episode! Please leave your questions and comments below!
A big special thanks to the veterinary Surgery Specialists (Dr. Mike King, Dr. Alan Kuzma), Cardiology Specialist (Dr. Marco Margiocco), and Critical Care Specialists (Dr. Carsten Bandt, Dr. Teresa Cheng, Dr. Laurence Braun, Dr. Trevor Enberg) at Canada West Veterinary Specialists, to the Cardiology Specialists at Colorado State University (Dr. Janice Bright and Dr. Chris Orton, to all of the amazing folks at the Whistler Animal Shelter- WAG (especially Lindsay Suckling), Dr. Laura White (Taylor's family vet at Pemberton Vet Hospital) and to everyone who donated to Taylor's fund, so that this sweet puppy could get the medical care he needed ❤️
WELCOME TO TWIN TREES VET TALK! An informal chat with Dr. Lopez (Emergency Veterinarian) and friends to share our perspective on pet predicaments, being a veterinarian, our shared love for animals and more! Have a quick question? Want to run something by us? Or just need our two cents? This is your chance! Each week we select a handful of questions to answer.
RELATED CONTENT:
- Taylor’s Story: Canada West Performs B.C.’s First Successful Canine Open-Heart Surgery:
- Taylor’s heart surgery was a huge success! (and how to donate to Taylor's Fund):
- Dog Breeds With the Most Health Problems Requiring Surgery
- How Do I Know If My Bulldog Needs Airway Surgery?
- Dog Breed Eye Health Problems To Screen For
- How to Become A Veterinary Neurology Specialist & What Does A Neurologist do?
- 1.6 BAD GENETICS (Dangers to Avoid #6 of 7):
- Vet Talk: My dog is having puppies. I think they are stuck.
- IVDD- Back Pain and Difficulty With Stairs
- Congestive Heart Failure in a Dog / CHF
- Genetic Heart Disease
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- AKC Guide to Responsible Pet Breeding
- AKC Breeder Education Courses
- Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership
- Responsibilities of Pet Ownership
- Animal Shelter in Houston
- Pet Statistics (ASPCA)
- Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics (Humane Canada)
- Where to find a purebred or mixed breed rescue pet
- CVMA Position Statement on Responsible Pet Breeding
- AVMA Passes Policy on Responsible Pet Breeding
- A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations
WELCOME TO TWIN TREES VET TALK! You may be able to find an answer to your question here. Join us on YOUTUBE for new content weekly. An informal chat with Dr. Lopez (Emergency Veterinarian) and friends to share our perspective on pet predicaments, being a veterinarian, our shared love for animals and more! Have a quick question? Want to run something by us? Or just need our two cents? This is your chance! Enter your questions here. and each week we will select a handful of questions to answer.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS HERE:
https://twintreesvet.com/pages/vet-talk
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3 BEST PIECES OF ADVICE FROM THE EMERGENCY VET THAT COULD SAVE YOUR PET'S LIFE
1) DON'T WAIT TOO LONG TO GET HELP! If you wait too long, it could be too late. This is especially true for concerns such as laboured breathing, pale gums and weakness. You know your pet best, so if you are worried or concerned, "when in doubt, check it out!"
2) PREVENT THE PREVENTABLE. Learn as much as possible about dangers that face your pet, such as household poisons, seemingly harmless objects (like toys, clothing, garbage and rocks), other animals, and vehicles. Pets are like toddlers and they need a responsible adult/babysitter to protect them from danger. Puppies and kittens need to start their vaccines at ~8 WEEKS (and they need boosters too!) to protect them from deadly diseases.
3) BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. Have a plan in place, know your nearest emergency clinic, have the ASPCA phone number on speed dial. Know basic first aid training and CPR. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE FINANCIALLY PREPARED. The cost of medical treatment in an emergency, and the owners' ability to pay for it, is probably the most important factor that determines whether a pet will receive the medical care it needs. The best way to protect yourself is to have good medical insurance for your pet. Do your research.
**REMEMBER**: WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM, with the best interest of the patient as everyone's first priority. Let your vet do what he/she does best, and don't try to grab the steering wheel and obstruct your vet from doing his/her job. We are all in the same car, we are all headed to the same place, but only one of us has the driver's license (meaning, only the vet has the medical training and background to "drive the car").
DISCLAIMER
The medical information on this site is provided as an educational resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not create any veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Please consult your pet's health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. Twin Trees Vet expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site.