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?

[regularRN]

Where I work if you call in sick it comes out of your paid time off - so yes, if I had to, I'd do it (but fortunately my pets have always died at convenient times). Of course, if you call in sick for pets, this detracts from actual vacation time...

[Fuzzy]

I know people who have called in "sick" or taken a vacation day because their pet was in intensive care at our hospital because of sickness or injury. Pets are very important in many people's lives especially those who are single and live alone. Many people go through the same emotional grief cycle when they have a sick pet or when a pet dies as they would any household member. I feel that time off should be allowed for those people who need the extra time for grieving or to care for an ill pet. Whether the time off is paid or not should be up to the company.

Fuzzy

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

I agree with you Fuzzy. I remember when my dog of 14 years died. She was old, but we woke up one morning and she was just dead... cold.... It was very traumatic. And i still cry sometimes thinking about her today. To many people pets are part of the family. So I don't see any problem with saying you've had a "death in the family." As long as you say which family member of course. I would cover for someone in this situation, just as I hope someone would cover for me.

[Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN]

YES.

A strange thing can happen when you get to your 30's and are not blessed with babies...

My beautiful girls (white shepherds) both died in my arms. They were sisters and one died in 2000 (already off work for illness). The other had been unwell, but still had a great quality of life. My husband called me at work and noted that he thought she was "fading". I handed off my patients, left work (and yes they knew why!) and went to be with my "baby" - she died in my arms a couple of hours after I got home. If I had waited, she would have died and I'd have missed being with her. I took off 2 additional days! But, everyone understood and it was my PTO.

Now I have "cat children" and I have rearranged my schedule to allow me or my husband to be with them if they are ill. But, I would call out without hesitation if I needed to be with them

[Soup Turtle]

If you feel guilty, check with your vet about day hospitalization (or night). We have clients who drop their pets off when they go to work and pick them up when they get off. Even an overnight clinic may be able to keep your pet for observation if your vet faxes over a chart so they know what's going on.

I think it's perfectly fine to call in, though.

[Cattitude]

Absolutely. I called out of nursing school clinicals! Almost 13 years ago and it was my first year of school. My dear doggie wa dx'd with CA and he got bad enough that another day could not go by with us letting him suffer. So we took him in to be euthanized.

When I called in to the clinical instructor she had the nerve to tell me "you know you can't make this up" Pffftttt.

Now I have kitties and I most certainly would call in if they needed me.

[jojotoo, RN]

I am absolutely amazed at all the supportive replies. While I am in 100% agreement, and I would call in sick for MY fur babies, I would say that I was sick - not them. Many of my coworkers would not be understanding.

[Heloisea3]

I would never hesitate to call in if either of my dogs were ill. My husband and I are very attached to our pets and consider them a part of our family. When my sweet chihuahua developed kidney failure and had to be put to sleep, my husband took off two and a half days. Both of us were heart broken. We loved her immensely. I would hope that people would be understanding of a person's need to be with their pet if they are ill. However, I would be with my pets no matter who did/didn't approve of me taking off work. I would probably just take a personal day without going into details about why I needed it, though.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i called in sick when my golden retriever needed emergency surgery, and when the other dog spent two days in doggy intensive care. dh and i both called in sick when my 14 year old golden died -- i couldn't do much except cry anyway. it was my sick time, i earned it, and i think that was more legitimate than my co-workers who regularly and repeatedly call in sick because of hangovers!(every sunday morning they're scheduled.)

[shodobe]

My dogs are my children, since I have none of the two legged variety, and have called off many times over the years because of their illnesses and injuries. I never give a reason and have never been asked. Everyone, even my Director know that my dogs only come second to my wife and way before any job. I can get that anytime but my dogs always come before a job.

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

No I wouldn't call in. I was at work when my 34 y/o horse died I cried almost all night, but the need to feed my kids has a much higher priority. I did work with a nurse that would call in when her pets were sick. She used her pets as her babies so I do understand how that could happen.

I grew up on a farm though and I think that perspective had greatly influenced me. You couldn't afford growing attachments because sometimes we ate animals that we raised. Now don't get me wrong. I can tell you the first calf I raised that my dad had butchered just killed me but I know it had to be.

[dria]

i've not actually had to call in due to pet illness...but you bet your boots i put my boss on notice when my bella was ready to deliver (dear bella has been very good about delivering her pups when i'm off work sweet thing)

the way i see it...i establish my priorities not my employer. im very lucky to have a very understanding cm who basically said if you gotta go then go. buuuuut...had it been an issue, would have told them to pound sand.