THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407150272
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ROBYNE R. COOKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 197 lines
WHEN 11-YEAR-OLD Shabumi began to sneeze blood, doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong.
That was until he reached Dr. Tony Puglisi's examination room. Puglisi discovered a cancerous mass in Shabumi's sinus cavity that was pushing through the skull.
Shabumi is a fortunate cat.
Many people who discover their pets have life-threatening illnesses would opt for euthanasia. But a growing number of pet owners - like Shabumi's owner, Betty Collier Shaw - are willing to spend big money to save their pets' lives.
The reasons are simple: compassion and companionship.
``He had been my companion for 11 years,'' said Shaw, who immediately shelled out $1,000 for the surgery. ``I was single for most of that time. I had to give him this chance to survive.''
So Shaw's Siamese cat was taken to Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Ltd. in Greenbrier, where Puglisi began to operate.
First, Shabumi's face was shaved, his whiskers and eyebrows cut off. Puglisi then cut a 4-inch line in the cat's head and removed the cancerous growth.
``He looked like he had been in the ring,'' Shaw said.
After a few days, Shabumi was eating and acting normally again. But the happy ending isn't etched in stone. The cancer will most likely return, and Shaw will bring Shabumi back to the operating room, if the surgery will keep her cat frisky and alive.
``Eventually, it will get him, but if I've got the money, he'll have the surgery again,'' said Shaw, a Hampton resident. ``He's the one that greets me at the door. He sleeps with me. There's a lot of love exchanged between us. But if he had been in pain, I wouldn't have let him suffer.''
SHAW ISN'T THE ONLY pet owner who feels that way. For many people, the friendly face that greets them at the end of the day is a cherished one. And that face is often that of a dog, cat or other animal.
``I don't think there's any difference in the love someone has for a pet or the love they have for a human being,'' Puglisi said. ``There's not a different set of standards.''
Puglisi, a veterinarian who specializes in neurosurgery and orthopedics, sees patients from as far away as North Carolina, Richmond and all over the Hampton Roads area.
Most people who bring their pets in to him are ready to spend the extra money and time to care for their ailing friends, he said.
``Most people don't come to me unless they're willing to go the extra mile,'' the veterinarian said. ``That's what makes my practice rewarding. These are people who really care.''
But because the choice to save a pet's life may not be in the animal's best interest, Puglisi carefully explains the pros and cons of surgery to each owner.
If the pet will be in constant pain regardless of surgery, he may advise euthanasia.
``I never tell people that they have to do it unless it's a situation where they aren't making a proper choice,'' Puglisi said. ``I have to be the objective part of the situation. But as long as the animal is having more good days than bad days, it's prudent to let them keep going.''
Over his years in practice, Puglisi said he has discovered that people form strong attachments to their pets regardless of the type. Birds, horses and pigs are just as likely to be loved as cats and dogs.
It doesn't seem to matter how long the pet has been owned. He quite often operates on pets who have been with their owners just a short while.
Puglisi also said that people of all ages develop strong bonds with their animals.
``But to me, the saddest situation is an older lady or gentleman who has had the pet for 15 years or so and their spouse has died,'' he said. ``It's not the age of the person, it's anyone who ends up alone with their pet - that bond is strong.''
PETS ARE PRECIOUS to their owners for a number of reasons, said another Chesapeake veterinarian, Dr. Virginia Vaughan. And most people will go out of their way to help their pets because, in a transient society, pets are stable and constant.
`A lot of times, their pet has been their best friend or constant companion,'' Vaughan said. ``They are there through death, divorce or loss. Your pet gives you unconditional love, so oftentimes the feeling is that `I want to do everything for him.' ''
Vaughan said that owners need to feel that they have tried everything and have gotten enough opinions.
``Owners need a sense of closure,'' she said. ``Even if it's terminal, you need to know you've checked everything out. A referral is a very important emotional component to caring about an animal.''
Many times, that second opinion will shed new light on possible cures. ``A lot of people don't know what's available and what can be done.''
Linda Schafer, a detective with the Chesapeake Police Department, was ready to do anything to save her horse, Brandy. The mare was kicked in the face this past winter by another horse when Schafer ran inside to answer a phone call.
When she looked outside, her horse was spinning in circles with blood on her face.
``When I touched her forehead, my whole hand just gave; it just went inside her forehead,'' Schafer said. ``When she was breathing, you could see it moving.''
Her veterinarian, Dr. John Sangenario, thought the mare's chances of surviving were good as long as infection didn't set in too badly. He prescribed medication.
But about one week after the accident, Brandy's right eye swelled shut from an infection due to bone fragmentation. More medication was prescribed, X-rays were taken and this time Schafer thought she'd lose her pet.
For about three weeks, blood and mucus drained from Brandy's nostrils. Schafer was spending every possible minute with her horse and finally, it paid off. After about two months, the 8-year-old horse was back to her old self.
Although veterinarian visits, medicine and procedures cost Schafer about $1,000, her horse doesn't even have a scar now. And she'd do it again in a minute.
``My animals are my children,'' she said. ``I wouldn't have put her down unless she was really suffering.''
Schafer, who owns three horses, two dogs and a cockatiel, said her pets, particularly Brandy, helped get her through her divorce.
``When I got depressed, I would go out there and brush her and go for a ride,'' she said.
Schafer spent another $1,000 to have orthopedic surgery performed on her dog, PeeWee, after he was hit by a car a few years ago. Although she had the choice of having the dog's leg amputated or the surgery, she quickly opted for the more expensive surgery.
``I didn't think it was right to cut her leg off,'' she said. ``Every time I looked at her, I'd just cry.''
Lucy Schack, another Chesapeake resident, spent about $900 when her dog snapped a tendon in his leg. Although Schack breeds and raises whippets, sometimes having up to 20 at a time, each one is special to her.
``As long as I have a few dollars and a credit card, I'd spend it,'' Schack said. ``He deserved a good life. The dog is as good as new, maybe better.''
Schack, who owns Chalquest Hilton Kennels, believes every animal in her care deserves 100 percent.
``I brought them here, they're my responsibility,'' said Schack. [The following article appeared as a side bar to this story:] A DIFFICULT DECISION
THE DECISION IS a difficult one: To save the pet or have it euthanized.
Once that choice is made, veterinarians say you should realize that the grief will be real. It may take weeks or even months to come to grips with the loss, they say.
``Grief is always grief, whether it's a hamster, a dog or a parent,'' said Dr. Virginia Vaughan of the Veterinary Clinic of Chesapeake. ``Never belittle the loss. You're not just grieving for the pet, you're grieving for life changes you associate with it subconsciously.''
Talking about the loss at home with other family members is important. But don't listen to friends or co-workers who say, ``It was just a dog. You'll get another,'' Vaughan said.
If you want to bury your pet or have it cremated, consider a short memorial service or plant a tree in remembrance of your pet. ``It's OK to feel sad and it's OK to feel sad for a long time,'' Vaughan said.
Vaughan cautions against rushing out to get another pet; wait until you're ready.
Karen Kellum of Pet Cremation Services of Tidewater suggests that pet owners ask themselves whether they will be able to handle watching their pets being euthanized.
After the pet's death, expect to feel guilt, anger, denial and possibly even depression, Kellum said.
It may help to rearrange schedules to fill the time you would have spent with your pet. It also may help to remove your pet's belongings from sight.
Kellum recommends the book, ``Coping With Sorrow on the Loss of Your Pet'' by Moira K. Anderson. ILLUSTRATION: Staff color photos by STEVE EARLEY
On the Cover
Dr. Tony Puglisi, left, operates on Sandee, a golden retriever, at
Veterinary Surgical Specialists with help from George Chetelat, a
surgical assistant.
Lynda Kirby, left, watches as veterinary aide Angel Beatty carries
Sandee out of surgery.
Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Veterinary aide Angel Beatty tries to calm Sandee, a golden
retriever, before surgery.
Linda Schafer, a detective with the Chesapeake Police Department,
thought she'd lose Brandy after the horse suffered a serious head
injury. The mare was kicked in the face by another horse, but after
about two months of love and medical attention, Brandy was back to
her old self.
Receptionist Shelly Tebo tries to coax Sandee into the examination
room while owner David Kidd, left, and Tony Puglisi watch. Puglisi
practices in neurosurgery and orthopedics at Veterinary Surgical
Specialists and sees patients from as far away as North Carolina,
Richmond and all over Hampton Roads.
Dr. Tony Puglisi, left, removes screws from a dog's mended leg while
surgical assistant George Chetelat watches.
by CNB