‘Dr Norton is a top-notch vet’
The empathy, care, professional and meticulous precision in carrying out the operation was awesome.
DEAR Editor,-
So there I was last Saturday evening at home in Ramsgate South with a friend, Cameron Gantsa and his family, playing darts and having a few beers, when suddenly my beloved six year old female boerboel, Jessie, started vomiting white foam while whining and writhing in pain.
In a panic I phoned the local SPCA, who advised that they had no emergency vets on call, but gave me the cell number of a local vet who I called, but was on voicemail. I called the landline of the local veterinary clinic and a voice message referred me to their emergency vet on call.
Dr Claire Norton answered immediately and recognised the symptoms as a ‘twisted stomach’, saying Jessie needed immediate attention and that her surgery, however, was in Port Shepstone – an area that I am not familiar with. Cameron and I loaded Jessie up and rushed north.
When I reached Oslo Beach, Dr Norton called me to say that there was no electrical power in Port Shepstone because of load-shedding, but she would meet me on the main road and guide me to her clinic, which she kindly did.
Upon arrival, the clinic was in darkness, but she started up a generator that provided some emergency lighting. With one look at Jessie, Dr Norton advised that the condition was very serious and that even with treatment, chances of survival were slim. Options included an operation to attempt to turn the stomach (at a cost of about R7 000) or euthanasia! Having read and watched ‘Marley and Me’, I knew a tough and urgent decision would have to be made.
I opted to take a chance with the operation. Her empathy, care, professional and meticulous precision in carrying out the procedure of sedating Jessie, opening her chest, exposing the stomach, releasing the pressure, twisting the stomach back into position and then sewing her up under difficult conditions, with only a traumatised me and Cameron to help with lifting and constraining the dog, was exceptional and exemplary.
Being close to the operation was a ‘life-changing’ experience for me, but I imagine all in a day’s (or night’s) work for Dr Norton. She deserves the highest accolade and admiration for her humanitarian and highly professional approach.
I brought Jessie home two days later where she was reunited with her best friend, my Weimaraner Sky, and little Mathew, one of Cameron’s sons. Jessie is comfortable, eating small meals and seems to be well on the road to recovery. Thank you, Dr Claire Norton.
DAVE KAVANAGH
Ramsgate South
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