Veterinarians play a host of roles — ER doctor, surgeon, trainer of apprentices, and occasionally, clairvoyant since their patients can't talk to describe their symptoms. With a growing community of people with companion animals, qualified and caring vets are the need of the hour.
S.V. Sujatha, who runs Sri Krishna Vet Clinic in Abhiramapuram, is known for her calm demeanour and experience in bringing animals back from the brink of death. She reconstructs the legs of accident victims, brings back the shiny fur of mange-ridden dogs and even treats a rooster for breathing difficulties.
Every day is a new challenge. Dr. Sujatha recalls a dog that was brought in by his panicked owners both of whom were interior designers. The mischievous pooch had swallowed eighteen decorative marbles and was rushed in for an x-ray. With the help of a specialist surgeon, she extracted them all. “We were concerned that one marble was missing in the x-ray and wondered if there was an overlap. Luckily, they found the marble at home.”
Vasanthi Rajiv who regularly brings to the clinic homeless dogs for treatment speaks of the importance of a vet's welfare outlook — “Dr. Sujatha is one of those vets who doesn't differentiate between pets and community dogs. When we need to rehabilitate dogs, she does her best to find them homes.” Vasanthi mentions a case where the doctor made trips to give injections and drips to a destitute dog as it couldn't be brought to the clinic.
From the days when she was worried about patients biting her, Dr. Sujatha has come a long way. “Now I instinctively know which ones are frightened and handle them accordingly,” she says. For details on how to become a vet, check the Veterinary Council of India website.
