Residents get behind-the-scenes at pet clinic

• PHOTO: Operation

Six local residents got a close-up look at what goes on when a cat is spayed, during the first behind-the-scenes event at Bobtown Pet Clinic on Jan. 17.

Talk about it

Six local residents got a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on when an animal is having surgery.

On Jan. 17 Bobtown Pet Clinic performed a cat spay from start to finish and six clients were invited to watch.

They got to see everything from the time the pet was admitted until the pet was in recovery — including the physical examination, blood draw, anesthesia induction, surgery preparation, the ovariohysterectomy and recovery.

“When a pet is dropped off for surgery, what happens is kind of like a black box for clients,” said Kathryn Otto, doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM), and owner of Bobtown Pet Clinic. “I want clients to understand what happens during procedures. I believe increased client knowledge helps improve patient care.”

That’s exactly why Spring Valley resident Carolyn Lovingfoss attended the event.

“I’ve had many cats spayed over the years and I was just curious about what went on,” she said.

Lovingfoss said she learned a lot of details about the surgery by attending the event.

She said she was impressed with the cleanliness of the operating room.

“They keep everything as clean as they would for a human surgery (at a hospital),” she said.

Lovingfoss suggested that others interested in animal operations attend a future event. She plans on attending more events, she said.

The cat spay event is the first of several behind-the-scenes events at Bobtown Pet Clinic.

Planning is underway to demonstrate a dog Dental ATP (assess, treatment, prevent) procedure on Feb. 21, in recognition of National Pet Dental Health Month.

“Explaining to a client about what happens during a Dental ATP or other procedure does not educate them in the same way as seeing the procedure,” said David Lindquist, DVM. “This first event went very well with many good questions. I look forward to future events.”

For more information about behind-the-scenes events, call Bobtown Pet Clinic at 715-749-4006. Bobtown Pet Clinic is located at 511 Cherry Lane, Roberts.

Tags: communities, business, wisconsin, health, roberts