I have always believed a vet would call on a sick animal at any time if needed - of course, providing you are willing to pay for this service. This is not the case.

A month ago, a friend noticed her 12-stone dog was unwell and needed a vet. She made five phone calls to different surgeries. I made three.

We were told in every instance vets do not visit and the dog must be taken to the surgery. If I had not experienced these conversations, I would honestly not believe this to be the case. The dog was very distressed and poorly but my friend and another friend managed to get the animal into the car and took her to a vet. When the vet examined her and did a few tests, my friend was told the dog had cancer and would have to be put down. That is what happened. That poor animal had to suffer needlessly for many hours because no one would visit.

I always believed vets to be a caring profession. Now I wonder.

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