Happy Patient

Last week we did some surgery on a very apecial patient . . .

Bessie is a black labrador belonging to my friend and colleague, Ammee. Bessie was born just over a year ago with a condition call 'cerebellar hypoplasia', which means that she has a reduced sense of balance and coordination and tends to wobble when she moves around. She is one of only two of her litter of six that has gone on to make it this far and Ammee and her family have done everything possible to give her as normal a life as possible.

Bessie's always happy - she's never known life to be any different and is completely unphased by her slightly wayward mobility. Having abnormal brain function does make a general anesthetic a bit of an unknown quantity though, and throughout her neutering procedure everyone was a little on edge. True to form, Bessie came through smiling and is already feeling much better.

She popped in to see me on Saturday and brought a little present - a personalised speech bubble made of chocolate! I've resisted the urge to tuck into it so far, but after a busy weekend on call and a long day today, by the time you read this, it may not be looking so pristine!!!