Have you called off work for a sick pet before?

[L&DRNJenn]

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?

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

No, but I would. However, my pets always choose my time off to get deathly ill.

I hope you cat feels better soon.

[TrudyRN]

Sure. but I think I'd tell a fib.

[TazziRN, RN]

I never have but I would if I had to, if there would be no one else home with him. I would just claim a personal day, though, rather than explain what it is. Everyone understands a sick child. Some understand a sick spouse. Few understand a sick pet.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I hope your cat gets well soon. :) I would have done the same thing. I've been lucky my dogs have been healthy, but I'm sure it's not always going to be the case, and if I need to I'll definately call in sick, but not give the real reason.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I called in when my boyfriend's dog died. I got fired. (This was a long time ago).

I've become a bit jaded when it comes to pets - years and years of kids and animals where I get to be the keeper of the animal rather than the child that begged for the animal.

I would NOT call in sick for a pet nowadays. :sofahider

steph

[L&DRNJenn]

Luckily we aren't required to give a reason. :w00t:

One of my jobs had a form that needed to be filled out and signed by the manager.

[LPN_mn]

Yes, I have called in sick because of my pet. I called and explained the situation to my supervisor and she was very understanding. He is a yorkie and got bit in the head by our Lab. It was very touch and go for a few days but he did recover. I am very glad that I have a very understanding supervisor.

[CHATSDALE]

i got a call in because day nurse had 'a death in the family' i was glad to go into help in what i perceived an emergency when she called in we all assumed it was her mother who had been sick

found out later that it was her dog who had been run over...actually if she had called me and explained the situation i would have gone in and never thought any thing about it .

but i felt that i had been had

[wooh, BSN, RN]

I have and I would again.

[crissrn27, RN]

I have worked shifts for people that needed time off after the death of their animals and would again. I wouldn't call in sick b/c I have great parents that would come and sit with my animals if I needed them too, I don't even call in for sick child, my mom keeps them for me and I feel perfectly safe leaving them with her if they are sick. I know I am very lucky! If one of my puppies died I don't know what I would do, probably try to get someone to cover for me.

[myrlpie]

Years ago, I took a day off to take my Yorkie for an ultrasound. I found my own coverage. When I had her put to sleep, they gave a night off (without pay), they gave me flowers and got me another dog for my birthday, two months later.