Supervet tv programme

[arealhuman]

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What a great, and sometimes sad, progamme this is! Noel Fitzpatrick is a genius!

 

[gypsysmum2]

Amazing isn't it?

He has just been on the Crufts programme defending himself against all the critics who say he is a millionaire or that he only does it for the money. Shame that people have to be like that.

 

[dogmatize]

The man is indeed a genius and deserves every penny he has. He works like a dog and without his ingenuity hundreds of people would have had to say goodbye to their beloved pets.

He seems to be one of the few vets around who really gets what It means to have a pet in your life that you truly love.

He has given people hope and the courage to try to find solutions to conditions that only a few years ago would have been hopeless.

Realistically there are a lot of easier ways to make money nowadays.

 

[AdamYates]

A pioneer in veterinary surgery and care and appears from the shows I have seen to genuinely care about the animals he treats - he makes money from it so what, don't see any Harley St types on their uppers...

 

[arealhuman]

I often say when I'm watching it that the various procedures and prosthetics must cost an absolute fortune. Then I think to myself it's probably (hopefully!) covered buy insurance, but it's implied in some episodes that people are paying themselves. He comes across to me as a genuinely caring bloke, and seems to work long hours (last one I watched, he was doing a procedure at around 11pm). That said, there may well be an element of changing one's behaviour for the cameras, but that's human nature, isn't it? I'm just continually awed by what he does, and especially some of the stuff he makes. I guess perhaps we get to see only the happier stories with the odd sad one thrown in, but it's compelling viewing to me. I have no particular issue with someone getting paid for hard, honest work, and again not knowing his history other than what he reveals in the programme, I get the feeling he's had to work to get where he is and if this is the case, fair play.

I've not heard any criticism, and even if I did I'll carry on watching it

 

[spanielmad]

I went to dogfest last year and managed to get a photo and autograph when he did a meet and greet there. I think he's really genuine and passionate about his work. He even lives at his practice- that's dedication!

 

[Peegee]

I think I must be on my own here but I have real worries about the type of surgery he performs. I have had and lost many pets over the years and know exactly how it feels to lose a much loved pet but I also feel very uncomfortable when I see what suffering and pain these animals must have to go through before they recover. Many years ago our Sheltie (10 at the time) was treated for testicular cancer and was such a sorry state when he came home, he was shattered and yet couldn't even sit, let alone lay down and was trying to sleep leaning against the wall, standing up. The only comfort we could provide for him was to take it in turns around the clock to sit with him on our laps, with him on his back and legs akimbo. This went on for about 48 hours . He made a full recovery and lived for another two years. I felt so selfish that I had put him through this and swore at the time that I would never allow this to happen to another pet. Fortunately I haven't had to make such a decision again and hope I won't have to. But when I see cats moving around with only wheels for back legs I do wonder for whose benefit these operations are for.

 

[excuseme]

Peegee.

I know exactly how you feel an agree with your thoughts.

Fitzpatrick is a very clever man, sometimes I think too clever.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Peegee did the vet not give your dog pain relief? I know years ago it was not standard practice. it is now recognised that healing is much faster if the dog is given pain relief.

I, too, feel a little uncomfortable with the invasiveness of some procedures they perform.

Mind you I also wonder at some people! Last night the Basset owner who's dog was overweight which was causing huge strain on the dog's very short legs, complained that the dog had lost weight while having those bowed legs straightened. When they picked the dog up she immediately said she was going to fatten him up again!

 

[Peegee]

To be honest Gypsysmum I can't remember about pain relief. This was over 30 years ago, so maybe not and if he did they weren't effective! I don't doubt Noel Fitzpatricks amazing skills as a surgeon. But I think you're right Excuseme, perhaps too clever. Would be interesting to hear other vets opinions. I also have reservations about Battersea Dogs Home policy of never putting a healthy dog down. I find it heartbreaking to see some obviously very sad dogs who've lived there for months because they can't be found homes. If they are very long term residents, unlikely to be found homes, then I do wonder whether it would be kinder to put them to sleep.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Dogs Trust have the same policy Peegee. I, too, struggle to be comfortable with elderly dogs kept in kennels for long periods. I have heard that public donations go up considerably for rescue centres that have a non destruct policy.

 

[Peegee]

What a shame if that's the case. I really don't think these policies are always in the best interests of the animals.

 

[gypsysmum2]

The RSPCA have found that they get huge donations for saving wildlife and targeting hunting. They will travel miles to pick up an injured bird and take it to a wildlife centre to be treated. Try getting them interested in picking up a stray dog

 

[Peegee]

Sad that it always seems to come down to money!