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As a pet parent, vet visits are inevitable. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Sanny from VEC clinic with over 14 years of experience in the field. During our conversation with Dr. Sanny, we learned about his passion for animals and the importance of veterinary care. With over 14 years of experience as a veterinarian, Dr. Sanny has seen it all – from routine check-ups to life-saving surgeries. He shared with us some of the challenges and rewards of his job, as well as some advice for pet parents. Let’s dive right in!
Dr. Sanny:
Hi! I’m Dr. Sanny. Here’s a little backstory of how and why I became a vet. I was involved in a lot of dog-related activities such as dog training agencies, dog shows, basically everything related to dogs, from the age of 13. As time went by, my love for dogs grew; I wanted to be more involved in the industry and take this passion of mine to the next level. Additionally, I always thought that we could do more for pets and I wanted pets to receive good healthcare just like humans. I strongly believe furkids deserve second chances and not just get put down when they get too sick. A bit about my education background and professional experiences - I went to UPM and graduated in 2009. After graduating, I practised with Vet Partners in Johor Bahru. Later on, I wanted to learn more about other areas within the industry. So, I joined a pharmaceutical company on animal health and was a technical vet for six years. Throughout my time in the pharmaceutical industry, I learned a lot about preventive medicine - why we should give preventive medications to our furkids, that sort of thing. And now, I’m back in clinical practice because I was given an opportunity to build a veterinary hospital.
Oyen:
Can you share an experience that has left a lasting impact on your life, throughout your career as a vet?
Dr. Sanny:
Let me share a negative experience and I will share a positive one next. I had a pet parent come in one day with her dog who was unwell. I did an ultrasound for the furkid and explained the condition to the pet parent, saying that her furkid would need surgery for it to feel better. But the pet parent was in doubt of the situation and disagreed with what I wanted to do to help the furkid feel better. After the consultation at the clinic, the pet parent left with her pet and never came back. I always think about the fact that pets cannot express their pain and feelings, right? But, they are in pain and I want to help them feel better. But pet parents sometimes cannot make the right choice on how to help their pet feel better - it’s either because of money or they don’t think the pet’s condition isn’t all that bad, and they miss the opportunity of helping their furkid feel better. A lot of times, I think to myself “if only they had pet insurance, they would’ve gone through with the surgery and a pet’s life would be saved”. It is very unfortunate.
Oyen:
Building upon that story, how do you speak to distressed pet owners?
Dr. Sanny:
It has to do with a lot of listening empathetically and asking the right questions. I always want to know the pet parents’ main concerns - are they stressed out because of financial concerns? Is it because their pets are going to die with the current situation they’re going through? Or maybe if they have had trauma in the past related to chronic diseases? There is a lot of communication involved. It has never been easy but over the years, there are some skills that I have built, such as observing behaviours. For example, some pet parents can become agitated or angry when I talk to them, but it is actually their way of grieving, they could still be in the stage where they are denying that their furkid is sick. They are not distressed because of financial constraints. Well, because sometimes even if you have the ability to afford treatments and medications, there is no guarantee in medicine.
Oyen:
On a more positive note, what has been the most rewarding experience you’ve had as a vet?
Dr. Sanny:
When new pet parents come in with their new furry family member! These pet parents are always so enthusiastic and hungry for knowledge on giving their furkid the best care possible. That is always very heartwarming to see.
Oyen:
What’s your perspective on pet insurance, as a vet?
Dr. Sanny:
Pet insurance allows vets to do what they think is best for a sick furkid. When pet parents do not have pet insurance, vets are binded by the financial capacity of the owners when it comes to treatment for their pets. It’s tough when, as vets, we have the ability to help and do what’s best for the furkid but because of the financial constraint the pet parent is facing, vets have limitations to what we can do. We have to keep in mind that this is a business as well, we have to pay bills, salaries and we need to keep this business afloat. That said, pet insurance plays a big part in the lives of pet parents, pets and vets.
Oyen:
What’s your favourite animal?
Dr. Sanny:
Dogs and cats aside, I love dolphins. I think that the nature of dolphins - the fact that they are smart and that they seem happy all the time makes them my favourite animal of all.
Oyen:
What’s a message you’d like to give to all the pet parents in Malaysia?
Dr. Sanny:
I would say don’t depend fully on social media when it comes to taking care of your pet. A lot of us will turn to Google right away when they see their pets not feeling well. Another thing is that training your pets and getting them comfortable with going to the vet is an important part of having a pet. You want them to associate vet visits with positive experiences. In addition, do have the sense of urgency to get your pets checked up at the vet once you notice something different in their behaviour. Last but not least, preventive treatments are very, very important because the lifespan of our pets is not as long as humans, therefore they age faster and preventive treatments are very helpful with their ageing process.
Oyen would like to thank Dr. Sanny for taking the time to share his insights and experiences with us. His knowledge and expertise in the pet industry have been truly invaluable, and we are certain that our readers will benefit greatly from his perspective. As pet parents, let us remember that our furkids rely on us for their health and happiness, and that veterinary care is a crucial part of their well-being!
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