How a team came together to turn a frightening event around to save the day for 2 tumbledried kittens.

Medivet Basingstoke
Whole Practice Team
Medivet Basingstoke

The context

Two 8 week old kittens managed to hide in a tumble drier. They were in there about ten minutes before the owner noticed, as she also had young children needing her attention. It was near month end and costs were an issue. The owner phoned the clinic in a state of panic and didn’t know what to do as they were both collapsed and unresponsive.

The action

The client care assistant calmed the owner and managed to get her to bring the kittens in. She promised to wait for the owner, even though it was at the end of her shift and she was supposed to go home. She stayed with the owner and comforted her while she waited in the waiting room. The vets treated the kittens for minimal cost, using spare fluids from the morning’s surgery and respiratory support, while the nurse stayed behind past her shift ending to monitor their breathing and temperature as it was in the middle of an afternoon consult block that was fully booked. Everybody stayed behind until they were stable. The owner monitored them overnight as she couldn’t afford overnight care at a 24 hour facility . The vet followed up with an examination the next day, free of charge.

The ripple effect

Both kittens survived. The owner was extremely grateful for the care and support she received during a traumatic and frightening time. The children are ecstatic to still have their pets to be able to give endless cuddles. They have both been sterilised in the mean time and signed up to the healthcare plan to ensure appropriate healthcare throughout their lives. The team was elated at the outcome and hopefully have cemented a trusted relationship.

Voting opens 13 November.