11:05PM - Caller: "Um, hi, my puppy ate some rat bait. I can't sleep because I'm worried he'll die."
Tech: "Ok, well, do you know what kind of rat bait?"
Caller: "No."
Tech: "Do you know when he ingested the bait?"
Caller: "Around 1PM" [Yup. 10 hours ago. Now an emergency. Can't interrupt those Easter plans!]
Tech: "How is your dog acting?"
Caller: "Well, I'm not really sure. I haven't been watching him."
Tech: Recommends they bring the dog in for Act Charc and to start Vit K.
Caller: "I can't afford that."
Tech: ... care credit explanation
Fast-forward to caller calling back after getting declined care credit
Caller: "So you're just going to let my dog die because I can't pay for your ****ing drug?"
Tech: "No. We're recommending that you follow up with your veterinarian tomorrow to start Vit K. Their exam fee will likely be cheaper, and by then maybe you can call friends or family to help cover the cost. If your dog got into the other kind of rat bait and isn't showing signs yet, it probably wasn't enough to be toxic. So we recommend treating for the anticoagulant toxin."
Caller: "**** you" <phone slam>
Yup. The very best part of this profession is all those adoring, wonderful pet owners.....
When I was a tech....
Me: "blah blah animal hospital after hours this is dvmd how can I help you?"
Client: "My two cats don't like each other, I keep them separated when I'm not home but someone left one of the doors open and I need to get my cat in right now, its eye looks bad."
Me: "I'm sorry to hear about your cat, unfortunately we closed at 7 (it was 715, company policy to answer the phone still). You can call xyz emergency clinic.
Client: "No, don't send me there! They take forever and are more expensive. Can't you just fit me in?"
Me: "I'm sorry but we are closed. I don't have a vet here to look at your pet. You'll have to go to the emergency clinic or I can schedule you for 8AM tomorrow morning."
Client: "No, I KNOW you have appointments, just fit me in. I can't come in tomorrow, I have to work!"
Me: "Again, we are closed. We do not have any appointments tonight as we are closed and there is no vet in the building. You will have to either seek care for your cat at the emergency clinic or find a way to bring your cat in tomorrow morning."
Client: "**** you! This is all your fault! My cat is going to lose her eye because of you! I'm never coming to your clinic again!" *hangs up*
The people that threaten to never come back....I want them to promise me that they won't.