When we first got Magic home from Fitzpatrick’s we had a complex 3-way temporary Foley catheter to operate on a dog undergoing chemo with cytotoxic urine. This catheter was his lifeline back then. He returned home very active and excited and was in danger of dislodging the catheter. I blamed my own incompetence when Magic’s presentation changed, and the catheter became ineffective, and I became very stressed.
I thought I may have not lip-read instructions properly or I had somehow failed Magic. Telephone contact with Fitzpatrick’s was difficult. Family members were ringing, typetalk for the deaf was a nightmare. In the end I returned Magic to Fitzpatrick’s feeling inadequate, not realising that the chemo had been so effective Magic was leaking which was why it wasn’t emptying!
The arrival of The District Veterinary Nurse Carla Finzel changed everything – there was someone to regularly evaluate Magic in the home and liaise with Fitzpatrick’s on the phone, monitor medication, continence, weight, and diet. Carla came to appointments and made sure everything was understood and gave knowledgeable reports on the home.

She also works like a Macmillan Cancer Support nurse as we come to terms with the prognosis. She comes round when there is an emergency e.g when Magic got colitis, UTI and liaises with the vets at Fitzpatrick’s. Her observations of Magic in the home environment are much better informed than ours, she spots things we don’t. This has meant that all the stress of Magic’s care is shared, and we can enjoy our time together. It’s due to her that Magic has put on weight at a time when he needs to, and his health is good.

To have DVNs working alongside the vets is common sense. To have both a DVN and Fitzpatrick Referrals around over Christmas means a relaxed and happy Christmas with Magic.

Kerena, Magic’s Owner