One of the things professionals of all types have to do on a regular basis is keep up with the latest news in their industry. We do this by attending workshops, international seminars and conferences and by joining further education courses. But for me, there is nothing more convenient than picking up a journal to read over a cup of coffee.
I had a rare day off on Sunday and, with latte in hand, found a scenic spot overlooking Victoria Harbour. I didn't bring a newspaper because I was in such a good mood, I didn't want to read any more bad news. So I had an issue of a veterinary journal to read, not light reading for such a relaxing day but I was much less likely to read about the state of the economy in such a publication.
How wrong I was. In the table of contents I noted a feature article on the recession and its effect on veterinarians. I quickly checked to see where the journal was published and found it was American. I breathed a sigh and read on, hoping the article would not apply to vets in Asia.
According to the article, a survey of pet owners in the US found 30 per cent were less likely to take their animals to a vet for routine preventive treatment because of the recession.
The idea that avoiding such routine preventative maintenance would save anyone any money is ridiculous. An annual veterinary check-up and vaccinations, regular intestinal worming and external parasite control, though simple, can save you the expense and anguish of your pet becoming sick. Any illness resulting from a lack of diligence with routine maintenance and monitoring will cost you many times the cost of the maintenance - on top of the unnecessary suffering of your pet.
Fortunately, I can report that in Hong Kong, the effects of the economic slowdown haven't greatly affected people's attitudes to pets. I find my clients are still on time with their check-ups and, in times of crisis, still willing to spend what is needed to treat their pets.