Have you called off work for a sick pet before?

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VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Yes, I've called in a couple of times to be with a family pet who was ill or dying. I didn't lie about it either. My furbabies are a part of the family, and I won't apologize for taking time to tend them when they need me.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am so sorry about your pet......having a sick fur baby is hard. I have not called out but then, the need did not arise. I had to put down my dog 3 years ago when he had cancer---someone stayed with him 24/7 till the time came to say goodbye. Had I been assigned to work the day he was to die, I would have called out sick, without question.

Sheri257

3,905 Posts

Hi all, My 2 year old cat had a urinary obstruction this weekend. He was in the hospital until Monday afternoon with a catheter and IV fluids.

My cat is slowly coming around. He is eating more and using the litterbox without me guiding him to go.

Just FYI: watch what you're feeding your pet because the recalled food is known to cause kidney problems. Cats in general are more vulnerable because they have a higher tendency of developing kidney problems.

Cat kidney failure is up 30 percent since the pet food recall controversy started.

:typing

EarthChild1130

576 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatric.

I haven't had to call in when my dog or one of my cats has been ill, but I would if I had to!

GrnHonu99, RN

1,459 Posts

Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Hi all, My 2 year old cat had a urinary obstruction this weekend. He was in the hospital until Monday afternoon with a catheter and IV fluids. I worked Monday night but he had supervision at home. He still is pretty under the weather. So I called off sick for tonight. I couldn't imagine leaving him by himself for 14 hours.

I feel guilty for not going to work, but I think I would have felt worse leaving him and worrying about him all night. Can anyone relate?

Not yet, but I would!................However..I dont know if id tell my charge that I was calling off for my pet lol.

L&DRNJenn

44 Posts

Just FYI: watch what you're feeding your pet because the recalled food is known to cause kidney problems. Cats in general are more vulnerable because they have a higher tendency of developing kidney problems.

Cat kidney failure is up 30 percent since the pet food recall controversy started.

:typing

That's scary. As far as I know his foods have not been recalled. He is eating a urinary food from the vet, a small amount of Fancy Feast that I have to mix with it so he'll eat the prescribed food and his dry food is Royal Canin. He's only getting a few nibbles of the dry food since he needs all the fluid consumption that he can get.

imenid37

1,804 Posts

A person could be feeling so sick, exhausted, etc. from the pet's death/illness they could need to call out sick.

Sheri257

3,905 Posts

That's scary. As far as I know his foods have not been recalled. He is eating a urinary food from the vet, a small amount of Fancy Feast that I have to mix with it so he'll eat the prescribed food and his dry food is Royal Canin. He's only getting a few nibbles of the dry food since he needs all the fluid consumption that he can get.

I switched food only to discover that the so-called safe food I switched to (which was also recommended by two vets) ... ended up being recalled also. One of my dogs, who was a breed that is also vulnerable to kidney problems ... died of kidney cancer.

I'm not trusting any of it now. My vets are also fed up with it because nothing seems to be safe ... everytime they recommend food it too seems to get recalled.

One of my vets is now telling all of his clients to cook their own food and, that's what I'm doing now.

:typing

bigsyis

519 Posts

Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.

I never have. I did have to leave work one morning when my two dogs dug out from under their fenced back yard (they'd been in it for years, 1/2 acre!), ran out into the road in front of our house, and both were struck and killed by the same car. My ex was at work, bothmy teenagers were in school, and the neighbor called me. I was working on a secure Govt. installation and had to drive almost 30 miles home and back, after having my neighbor help me bury both dogs. I was absolutely devastated, but had to go back. When I told my Chief Nurse why I had to go home that morning she said, "well, if they're already dead, why do you have to go home?":smackingf

Soup Turtle

411 Posts

That's scary. As far as I know his foods have not been recalled. He is eating a urinary food from the vet, a small amount of Fancy Feast that I have to mix with it so he'll eat the prescribed food and his dry food is Royal Canin. He's only getting a few nibbles of the dry food since he needs all the fluid consumption that he can get.

I would check with the vet about mixing your kitty's food. Usually, you're trying to avoid ingredients and keep the urine acidic when on a urinary diet. It your kitty's eating other foods with his prescribed diet, he may be at a greater risk for re-obstructing.

If he doesn't like his special diet, maybe the vet could recommend an alternative? I've never seen a cat that didn't like Hill's C/D (comes in wet and dry, chicken and seafood) , but I don't know what your cat is currently eating.

Flare, ASN, BSN

4,431 Posts

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I worked years ago in a liquor store as a clerk. I had to euthanize one of my pet cats and tried to call out that same day, as i clearly was not in the mood to pedal booze that day. The acting manager would not let me call out then couldn't understand why i was so upset all night.

muffie, RN

1,411 Posts

Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

i most definitely did

when first boy cat died, i got a dr note for one week off

i doubt that would fly now though

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