A Visit with Dr Darcy 06-17-2026 Friends of Felines Rescue Center (FFRC)

[00:00:00]this out of the way for a minute.

[00:00:05]>> Yeah, said that smelled good.

[00:00:09]Put it right here.

[00:00:14]>> Okay, I'm going to squeeze past you.

[00:00:19]>> Are you guys ready for the beautiful and lovely Dr. Darcy?

[00:00:22]>> Barely made it to my appointment at 8 this morning. I don't look very put together today.

[00:00:29]None of us do.

[00:00:31]>> Yeah, >> there's something on there about someone said they sent a PayPal donation to 164 to box 165, but it's already stickered.

[00:00:38]I made it through.

[00:00:39]>> Okay. If that if someone sent a PayPal donation to 164 and it's already taken when I go through my PayPal, I will move that to a different box. Okay.

[00:00:52]>> It will just be put onto another box.

[00:00:55]That is what we usually do.

[00:01:02]>> Okay.

[00:01:04]>> Are you ready? Luckily, Dr. Darcy's not nervous at all.

[00:01:09]>> Am I supposed to sit here?

[00:01:10]>> Yes. The seat of honor.

[00:01:12]>> Okay.

[00:01:13]>> Hi everybody.

[00:01:15]>> Oh no. And I'm looking at people like all over the world.

[00:01:18]>> You are. How like is where is everybody from? Can we do a quick rundown of where you guys are from?

[00:01:23]>> Yep. So Darcy can see uh the first questions. What's the capital of the world?

[00:01:28]>> I I know that. Columbus.

[00:01:33]>> Yay. Wow. Norway.

[00:01:36]Michigan, Texas, Florida, UK.

[00:01:40]>> Japan, Peru. You're so on.

[00:01:42]>> Um Missouri, Massachusetts, New York, Nashville, Pennsylvania, Australia.

[00:01:47]>> Oh my goodness. Isn't this amazing? All these people.

[00:01:50]>> Puerto Rico. Wow.

[00:01:51]>> Puerto Rico. Kuwait, >> Ireland, Quebec, Czech Republic.

[00:01:57]>> How do they do this?

[00:01:59]>> Italy, Sweden. Oh my gosh.

[00:02:00]>> Oh, I want to go to Italy.

[00:02:02]>> Oh yeah, it's beautiful.

[00:02:05]England. Oh my gosh, you guys are amazing. We should have gotten >> I've been to Oregon.

[00:02:09]>> We've got out a We should have gotten the map out.

[00:02:12]>> We should We have a map where we're pinning um where everybody's from so we can >> Oh, that's cool.

[00:02:17]>> Like the We have a US map and then an international map. So, we're pinning where everybody's from.

[00:02:22]>> Wow. So, I've got some questions for you and they're really hard.

[00:02:28]>> Are you ready?

[00:02:29]>> I'm ready.

[00:02:30]>> Okay. All right. Let's see what she knows. No. So, we wrote down a couple questions that um were submitted by some of you guys um some of our staff here.

[00:02:39]And um we just >> it's right here.

[00:02:42]>> I don't like side views.

[00:02:44]>> I know. So, you don't like side views of people? Okay. I'm used to I always kind of like half sit off the camera. That's me. But I want you on cam because everybody loves you.

[00:02:54]>> Okay. I know. See, they love you.

[00:02:56]>> I know. We love Dr. Darcy. We say nothing but good things about her.

[00:02:59]>> Oh boy.

[00:03:00]>> So, the first question I have for Dr. Darcy is this is really interesting. This is something I've learned as um from being here that occasionally we'll have kittens that come in and we will do our blood test on them and they will test positive for FIV or leukemia.

[00:03:19]And through you, we found out that sometimes kittens can shake that off.

[00:03:23]How is that possible?

[00:03:25]>> Okay, so first of all, they're both retroviruses, but FIV is almost identical to HIV, >> AIDS in people, but it can't cross >> species lines. So the test that you run is an antibbody test for FIV.

[00:03:46]>> Mhm.

[00:03:47]>> And it's an antigen test for the virus itself for feluke.

[00:03:53]>> Okay.

[00:03:53]>> So they're two different tests in one kit. So when you test for the antibodies to AIDS, those can pass through the placenta to the kitten >> in uterero.

[00:04:11]Those antibodies from the mother will leave by 6 months of age. So they don't have eight. All they have is the antibodies to AIDS.

[00:04:23]>> Okay? So they can only get FIV through a bite bone. They cannot get it in uterero.

[00:04:29]>> Okay.

[00:04:30]>> It's different than leukemia.

[00:04:32]>> So the AIDS virus doesn't spread in uterero to the kitten, >> but the antibodies do. So if the mother has AIDS >> Mhm.

[00:04:43]>> and has antibodies, those will pass to the kitten. So our test will turn positive >> because it's picking up the antibod. So, it's picking up the body's immune response of the mother.

[00:04:56]>> Okay.

[00:04:57]>> And so, then the kitten gets those antibodies. Looks like it has it, but it doesn't have it.

[00:05:02]>> I find that fascinating.

[00:05:05]>> I find that fascinating.

[00:05:05]>> So, it's almost I one kitten once I think may have had AIDS, but I think it >> truly truly had gotten AIDS.

[00:05:14]>> But I think the mother might have bitten it.

[00:05:16]>> Could be.

[00:05:16]>> It had to come from a bite wound. As far as we know now, 100% or as close as we can be in medicine, >> right?

[00:05:24]>> AIDS, the FIV virus only spreads through bite wounds.

[00:05:28]>> That's why mostly males have it.

[00:05:30]>> Yeah.

[00:05:31]>> So, technically the kittens that have it, they don't have it.

[00:05:34]>> Mhm.

[00:05:35]>> Unless they got bitten.

[00:05:36]>> They truly did get bitten as a tiny kitten, >> right?

[00:05:40]>> Prior to coming here. Do do having the antibodies as a kitten help protect them as they become older?

[00:05:49]>> They go away.

[00:05:50]>> Oh, >> they leave by four to 6 months of age.

[00:05:53]They're out of the body.

[00:05:54]>> So, they don't It doesn't help their immune system.

[00:05:56]>> I suppose if they got bit maybe when they were like 3 or 4 months old. I mean, that's a good question. I don't know.

[00:06:04]>> Okay.

[00:06:04]>> I don't think it'd be complete protection.

[00:06:07]>> Okay.

[00:06:07]>> Because the vaccine didn't work.

[00:06:09]>> Right. Right. I mean, the vaccine just confused everything because then we're vaccinating cats. They're making antibodies. Our test is picking up antibodies.

[00:06:20]>> We don't didn't know if it was from the vaccine or if they had AIDS, >> right? If it was a true.

[00:06:24]>> So, that got real confusing. So, now there is no vaccine.

[00:06:28]>> And I think there is now a DNA test.

[00:06:33]I looked it up the other day for AIDS. I know there's one for leukemia. whether you can tell if they actually have it as a virus, the DNA to the virus in their body, >> but I don't think it's 100% and I don't think it's real accurate.

[00:06:51]>> And now leukemia can kind of be the same thing as >> leukemia they get they get the virus from the mother >> through the milk, >> through >> through the uterus, through the bloodstream, whatever.

[00:07:02]So when any cat gets leukemia first, whether it's through urine or eating together, it's circulating superficially in their bloodstream.

[00:07:14]>> Mhm.

[00:07:14]>> It is not immediately in the bone marrow. So it's not immediately a permanent infection.

[00:07:20]>> Mhm. So once I brought home a five-month-old kitten from the clinic, tested negative when we tested it when someone dropped it off, took it home to my garage where I had a mama cat and four babies.

[00:07:37]>> Mhm.

[00:07:38]>> In the next few weeks, that one I brought home when I retested it, it was positive for leukemia.

[00:07:46]>> Mhm.

[00:07:46]>> So I tested all the kittens. They were all positive. and the mama cat was not because there's like 90% immunity as an adult.

[00:07:54]>> They aren't going to get it probably as an adult that's healthy. And she was indoors and taken care of.

[00:08:00]>> So, and then I went, "Oh, great." Well, over the next 2 to 3 months, the cat I brought home and all the kittens threw it off and tested negative.

[00:08:13]So, that means it never got in the bone marrow.

[00:08:15]>> It never fully sunk in. and they were able healthy enough to shake it off >> into the bone marrow to be a permanent infection.

[00:08:21]>> See that? Just >> so if they're a healthy leukemia positive test kitten, that's why we don't know if they're going to stay positive or throw it off because it's just circulating in the bloodstream. It hasn't taken up camp in the bone marrow.

[00:08:40]Once it's in the bone marrow, >> that's it.

[00:08:43]>> That's pretty much lifelong. and they don't usually live very long, but I have seen them live 5 years.

[00:08:50]>> One cat lives 13 and tested negative.

[00:08:53]So, those are the weird ones where the body really does >> deal with it somehow, we don't know, and sequester it somewhere. Probably she still carried it, >> right?

[00:09:04]>> But she did not succumb to the virus.

[00:09:07]But that's super rare.

[00:09:08]>> So, that's always very interesting.

[00:09:11]>> I mean, I've decided it can do anything.

[00:09:13]>> Yeah. I mean, it's it's amazing what the body can actually fight off on its own.

[00:09:17]I mean, it truly is. And we know cats are just >> super super animals.

[00:09:22]>> Sick. If they're sick and they test positive, >> there's a lot less of a chance that they will test negative, >> that they will find out.

[00:09:32]>> Like all those kittens of mine were all never sick at all.

[00:09:35]>> Mhm.

[00:09:36]>> They were all super healthy and >> and they were taken care of. They weren't stressed.

[00:09:41]>> You know what I mean? Right. Right.

[00:09:42]>> So, I think probably being outside, being stressed, that has a role to play in them not being able to fight it off.

[00:09:50]>> Yeah. Amazing.

[00:09:51]>> But yeah, >> you had a kitty that was FIV positive, lived 19 years.

[00:09:56]>> Yeah. They could live a long time and it's only spread through bite wounds.

[00:10:00]So, um, so it's only spread through bite wounds. So you can keep a nice cat with other cats >> as long as they don't fight.

[00:10:14]>> Right. Right.

[00:10:15]>> It's very very rare, like pretty much unheard of to spread AIDS FIV through saliva.

[00:10:23]>> Yeah, that is amazing.

[00:10:25]>> Pretty much they got to have a bite bite that >> deep down into that muscle.

[00:10:31]>> Thank goodness because two viruses that were bad.

[00:10:36]That is I love that. That that something is so neat to me because I did not know that that >> was possible that they could shake that off.

[00:10:43]>> Yeah. And then now they've even got this PCR DNA test and I looked into that with that one of yours.

[00:10:49]>> Yeah. Um and and we've talked about that. That was um uh Lucky Lucky who she tested positive. Her first test was negative. Her second test was positive and then her third test was negative for leukemia.

[00:11:02]>> And we were like whoa whoa whoa. What's going on? And that's where we kind of learned a little bit more about some of this, how they can shake it off if they're healthy and things like that.

[00:11:10]>> Yeah. And the DNA test is expensive. And when I read about it, it's not 100%.

[00:11:17]>> Oh, yeah. So, >> antibodies, antibiotics interfere with it. A lot of them have had antibiotics.

[00:11:23]How long does it have to be off antibiotics to run the test? And it just is.

[00:11:29]>> Yeah.

[00:11:31]>> So, I pretty much still do the IFA test checks if it's in the cells in the bone marrow. It's an test for the intracellular virus and I don't know how it gets in there. I can't remember all that stuff but it's an antibbody test. It fluoresence IFA immuno fluorescent antibbody.

[00:11:52]>> That's that one that used to be pretty cheap and then the lab closed and now it's expensive.

[00:11:56]>> I remember. Yes.

[00:11:57]>> And not very many places do it. So, but >> so there we know a little bit more about >> but it's always still confusing. I still have to go get the book and make sure my book is up to date and make sure I check online because all the research changes.

[00:12:11]>> It does change. And how much is I mean I look at how much has changed just from when I took over four years ago to now.

[00:12:18]>> Um there's so much >> I know that's the hard part.

[00:12:21]>> I feel like it changes faster every year.

[00:12:23]>> It does change it. She knows so much.

[00:12:26]She is just like a book of knowledge.

[00:12:29]And we have um she has office uh Dr. Pedigrew who's not here this time. He was here last year. Um and he's also been a vet for well.

[00:12:38]>> Well, we're having our 50 year.

[00:12:40]>> Yes.

[00:12:40]>> Our 50 year celebration.

[00:12:42]>> I know. On the >> last two weeks.

[00:12:44]>> Yes. They're having their 50th year celebration. So, Dr. >> From when he started the clinic.

[00:12:48]>> Oh my gosh. So, they have a whirlwind of knowledge. And Dr. Darcy also uses um they have special vet software they use.

[00:12:56]Yeah. I mean, that's changed everything.

[00:12:58]I mean, it used to be I'd have to call someone at the university, >> right?

[00:13:03]>> Or look it up in a book and make sure your book was up to date and now >> technology. I know.

[00:13:10]>> I mean, really, they she has a software or is it software or >> Well, it's just a website, I guess.

[00:13:16]Yeah. And it's all veterinarians on there >> and specialized veterinarian.

[00:13:19]>> Most of them are specialized. A lot of them are just fielding the questions and they're regular veterinarians. But most of them have a specialty of some sort.

[00:13:28]>> So if she has a question that's >> I have to put it in my category like radiology or internal medicine or like I have to pick where I'm going to put my >> post. Yeah. It's amazing. Oh, thank you so much Cecilia.

[00:13:42]>> So our next question for you is how would you say I find this fascinating.

[00:13:47]How would you say veterary care is different in private practice, which is what you do on a day-to-day basis, versus rescue, shelter, medicines? How would you say that's different?

[00:13:57]>> It's It's hard. It used to be a lot further apart, I would say, and now I feel like it's a little bit closer, but obviously you can't spend on each cat thousands of dollars.

[00:14:15]>> Mhm. to do each cat like you would if you owned one cat, >> right?

[00:14:20]>> And some people can't do that even when they own one cat, you know, because there's such a >> variation of >> there is, >> you know, finances and the conditions and everything. So, >> but there are on that VIN website there's shelter medicine.

[00:14:35]>> Mhm. So if I go to shelter medicine, I'm like reading some of the stuff and going, "Wow, it's like a whole separate rotation in vet school for them to go to shelter medicine."

[00:14:48]>> Cuz it's so different.

[00:14:50]>> It is different.

[00:14:50]>> Like they do their surgeries differently to be coste effective. Mhm.

[00:14:56]>> Um, you know, it's like someone taking their cat to be spayed at the spayneuter clinic versus coming to us to be spayed, >> right, >> for several hundred more, right?

[00:15:08]>> Because we have an IV catheter in every single one. There's a nurse monitoring every 5 minutes. They're writing down their vitals. There's a whole big monitor there. You know, not that things can't happen, but every single thing has to be done to prevent an accident from happening, >> right, >> in that surgery, and that's what they pay for.

[00:15:29]>> Correct.

[00:15:30]>> Open IV line, open airway, >> right? They do get more >> constant monitoring.

[00:15:35]>> Yeah. They do get more one-on-one care >> and that's not going to happen at shelter medicine cuz you would never be able to afford to adopt any cats out.

[00:15:45]>> No one would be able to afford it. Well, and I think with it seems like with shelters, um, we do, how would you say that? Um, we do a lot of >> diagnosing without >> Yeah, it's like the old way like it's an art that's kind of lost, which is why I like working with you because the problem is you get so much new equipment. Take for instance an ultrasound because we always had X-rays.

[00:16:10]>> Okay. So, when I started out of school, barely had an ultrasound. I didn't even learn anything about ultrasound. So, you had to listen to what the owner said.

[00:16:21]You had to kind of sift through and put things in order of importance. Then you had to palpate carefully and slowly >> Mhm.

[00:16:31]>> and do all your physical exam, not knowing that you could put an ultrasound probe on there.

[00:16:39]>> Yeah.

[00:16:39]>> And find fluid. You had to know if you felt a fluid wave, if you felt like there was fluid in there by your hands.

[00:16:46]>> Yeah.

[00:16:47]>> So, you get good at that when that's all you have, >> right?

[00:16:51]>> Well, now, um, it's easy, and they say not to do it, but it's easy to rely on the technology.

[00:16:58]>> Yes.

[00:16:58]>> And then you miss little things if you don't do a good physical.

[00:17:03]>> Don't feel every lymph node. Don't You're like, "Oh, get I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm going to do an ultrasound and I'm going to prove that it's what I think it is, >> right?

[00:17:12]>> Then you might miss something else, you >> know? And I feel like >> so it's hard because I think they're doing better in school now teaching them more the old way because a lot of people can't afford >> sure the big equipments and things like that >> like CT scan and MRI you know >> they can do that at the big places in the university but you have to >> you know sometimes you can't do that so you got to come up with a plan right >> and that's where shelter medicine is.

[00:17:41]you come up with your best most logical plan.

[00:17:46]>> Yeah. And we we do that a lot. Whereas if you took your personal cat to Darcy um or your personal vet um you know of course they run blood work, they run all sorts of tests, do a hands-on physical and things like that. Whereas here we don't have the equipment for the blood work and it's not always feasible to take all five cats sneezing in to get blood work to get all of that done. So, um, with Darcy's to help you kind of diagnose based on what's most logical.

[00:18:14]>> Yeah. And there are like things like, okay, if you have a shelter cat come in with an upper respiratory, this is your first two baseline antibiotics that you should use. You shouldn't jump to this antibiotic or you might get resistance in the shelter. Like there's kind of guidelines or rules. You know what I mean? So you start here and then you move up with what might not respond, right?

[00:18:38]>> You know, >> and I think antibiotics are handy because so many antibiotics cover so many different things.

[00:18:42]>> Yes. So you're generally it's easy to kind of, you know, jump for the big one, but then you've got all these other ones and you don't want resistance.

[00:18:51]>> And I was really bad about doing that in the beginning. That was one of my first things is you you naturally want to jump to >> because you know it might work the best.

[00:18:59]>> Yeah. you naturally want to jump to the highest antibiotic because I want to fix their problem, but you know, just like humans, we can't jump to the antibiotics, >> right?

[00:19:07]>> The the big ones >> or in the future, they won't work.

[00:19:10]>> They won't work.

[00:19:11]>> Yeah.

[00:19:11]>> So, that's quite a quite a different like between private care and >> it is it's a whole different kind of starting point >> and then mindset and it's more like evidence-based like this is what we have to work with anyways. So even if I find out it's this, I can't treat that, >> right?

[00:19:29]>> So I'm going to treat for the treatable.

[00:19:31]>> Yeah.

[00:19:32]>> You know, the most likely treatable thing based on everything the evidence >> is what we're going to start with.

[00:19:38]>> And I I find that >> but it's it's not easy doing that. But it's kind of the art of medicine. And then the art gets lost when you have so much equipment.

[00:19:51]>> Yes.

[00:19:51]>> And it's easy to spend people's money and just go b. You don't always have to do that.

[00:19:57]>> See, that's that's where I don't like medicine. I like things black and white.

[00:20:00]>> Yes.

[00:20:01]>> And medicine is not. That's I think you told me >> Yeah.

[00:20:04]>> not too long ago. That's why they call it practicing medicine.

[00:20:07]>> Yeah.

[00:20:08]>> Because it's >> constant practice.

[00:20:10]>> Yeah. You're never going to know it all.

[00:20:12]I mean, I can't believe how much stuff I see that I've never seen before. vets are very highly trained and you know you learn so much um or she learned so much in vet school but it's a whole different bird when you get out of school because you're actually hands-on.

[00:20:29]>> Yeah. Yeah. And they have to teach the best.

[00:20:33]>> Yeah.

[00:20:34]>> I mean they have to because you have to know what's the best. They got to pass their boards. The boards questions aren't going to be real world stuff >> scenarios, right? But then you get out in the real world and you can't necessarily do like for example I had a dog come in that had been to two other vets. She drove three hours cuz she knew someone that knew me, whatever. Anyways, I I was reading through and wherever it was before emergency clinic, which is a little different with emergency care, too. That's a little different ball game, little different rules. Um they treated it for pancreatitis sort of not really but they treated the diarrhea let's say >> probiotics and >> andorb and pectin and you know all the safe things >> which is fine for the first flare up.

[00:21:28]>> Well then I forget how it went a week or two later really got better. Went to another vet and they did the same thing.

[00:21:38]and then came to me and it was pure watery bloody diarrhea.

[00:21:42]>> Well, I'm going to put it on metronizol.

[00:21:44]>> Yeah, >> but they're hammered in school. Do not use an antibiotic. Well, that's kind of an antibiotic. It's a gut antibiotic.

[00:21:53]>> Yeah.

[00:21:55]>> So, I put her on a moxicylin and metroniditool and some psyllium husk fiber.

[00:22:01]>> Um, and she'd been up for two nights in a row, every hour.

[00:22:04]>> Oh jeez.

[00:22:04]>> Diarrhea everywhere.

[00:22:05]>> Oh, no.

[00:22:06]>> It was better that night. So that's the problem. And so we had a vet student and she's like, "Oh my word, they they tell us we never can use that."

[00:22:14]>> And I'm like, "That's the difference, >> right?"

[00:22:17]>> They said, "We should do a fecal transplant." I go, "Okay, fecal biome index takes a week to get back."

[00:22:24]>> Mhm.

[00:22:25]>> Not cheap. Then you got to order your fecal transplant based on what your biome index was. Okay. You're talking two weeks >> to do what they want you to do. You think you want to live with diarrhea for two weeks, >> right? If the animal even makes it >> or if it makes it, it's already been four to five weeks where someone hasn't treated with what I know is going to work.

[00:22:45]>> Oh, wow.

[00:22:46]>> So, it's not easy because Yeah. the first time I try not to jump to because some of them get better.

[00:22:55]>> Mhm.

[00:22:55]>> With just pectin and fiber and >> Yeah. you know, like general, >> but you got to know when to not follow the ivory tower they call it, >> right? Yeah.

[00:23:10]>> So, that's it's hard because you want to do what you're supposed to do, but you can't let a dog go two weeks with watery bloody diarrhea or is probably not going to live.

[00:23:20]>> Exactly.

[00:23:21]>> Like that's where >> that's all that all comes with experience.

[00:23:26]>> And that's the whole art of knowing when Yeah. of when to know what to do. And that's that >> and I mean I had the advantage. I could look at their blood work. Well, sort of.

[00:23:35]I repeated some things because it wasn't quite right. But >> I did have the advantage of the time and knowing what didn't work.

[00:23:43]>> Yeah.

[00:23:43]>> So obviously I'm going to look better because I come in later. But I probably would have deferred and told them in a week if it wasn't better, right?

[00:23:52]>> Let me know. But it was an emergency clinic. They don't follow through.

[00:23:56]>> Yeah. Yeah. So a little bit of difference.

[00:23:58]>> Yeah. It's hard with shelters and emergency clinics and you know in human medicine emergency clinics aren't the same as going to your doctor.

[00:24:06]>> No. And and she is wonderful. Um there's been lots of times I've called her when I know it's very very late at night.

[00:24:12]Unfortunately, >> not that late.

[00:24:14]>> Well, I wouldn't hear the phone if it was too late.

[00:24:17]>> I called you a couple times at like 10:00 and I felt terrible.

[00:24:19]>> But that's not that's not late.

[00:24:21]>> That's not too late for it.

[00:24:22]>> Well, I try to go to bed before that, but I never fall asleep. So, >> Right. Exactly.

[00:24:28]If you text me and I'm asleep, I won't hear it.

[00:24:30]>> There's been a couple times where I have called and I'm like, >> "If you call, then I'll hear it." Yeah.

[00:24:34]>> But she is always so kind and always so understanding, which I am so grateful for because she's just smart and I'm still learning.

[00:24:41]>> It also helps me learn.

[00:24:43]>> Well, >> and not fade away and lose the art.

[00:24:47]>> Keeps your mind fresh because I ask dumb questions all the But no, it's good to work with the shelters and like um we each work with a shelter or >> Yeah.

[00:24:58]>> or you like I kind of work with Defiance too and he'll text me questions >> about things.

[00:25:03]>> Yeah.

[00:25:04]>> You know, he's a technician so I know some of the stuff that you'll know but he still will text with, >> hey, I've done this, this, and this. And I know it's by the book. He's done everything by the book, >> right? But you know that's when that doesn't work then you got to kind of know what to >> step outside the box and kind of figure out what to do.

[00:25:22]>> And that's not always easy either.

[00:25:24]>> So my next question for you is I find this interesting because I know your job is very stressful. How do you handle stressful situations?

[00:25:33]>> Dark chocolate doves >> chocolate.

[00:25:39]This Cindy likes dark chocolate too.

[00:25:41]She's a huge dark chocolate fan.

[00:25:42]>> I'm trying to limit myself.

[00:25:45]I grab a handful in the morning.

[00:25:47]>> So, we'll know if he has a really bad day when she's got a pocket full of chocolate.

[00:25:51]>> So, >> but um I think maturity gets you better at just taking a breath and you know, like >> the girl that came to me with that dog was like, "Oh my word, you're going to be so behind. She's new. We're training her.

[00:26:07]>> This has been here." And it was a packet like this of other vet stuff. I didn't have time to read through that. I should have had it the day before, but I didn't. You know, doesn't always work that way. So, and she's all stressed and and your next appointment's already here. And I'm like, "Okay, they're early."

[00:26:24]>> And she thought this was going to take me an hour, >> right?

[00:26:27]>> And it took me like 10 minutes, >> right?

[00:26:29]>> Because I was like, "It needs fragile."

[00:26:32]>> Yeah.

[00:26:32]>> It needs meronizol. And it's probably going to get better. You know what I mean? like >> you know that obviously comes with experience you know of having >> knowledge base and not panicking like if you asked me to go out on a cving I'd be panicking you know what I mean like it it's what you do over and over and over and over >> she's very good because I've definitely stress >> try to like you know just think calmly your brain doesn't work when it's anxious and thinking as well >> that is so true >> you have to get the anxiety out of there.

[00:27:05]>> Yes.

[00:27:06]>> And you can always ask someone, >> right?

[00:27:08]>> I tell people you're never in this alone, >> right?

[00:27:11]>> You can ask someone. You can I can go to Vin or you know what I mean? It used to be harder cuz you didn't have Vin at your fingertips.

[00:27:19]>> Vin is that software or that website.

[00:27:21]So, if I have a hard case and I'm not able to figure it out in like a day or two or whatever, >> I can post my case >> and they guarantee an answer within 48 hours, which sometimes is too long.

[00:27:35]>> Sometimes you need faster.

[00:27:37]>> Yeah. So, I try to start my posting before I get into trouble and I need an answer. They used to be able to get to you fast, >> but I think now there's so many people on it. Yeah.

[00:27:46]>> And there's not as many people.

[00:27:49]>> That is so I love that you Now, my last few postings have actually been right at 48 hours.

[00:27:56]>> Oh, really?

[00:27:56]>> Yeah. And it didn't used to be that way, but whatever. Otherwise, I got to call the internists at Fort Wayne, which I could do.

[00:28:03]>> Yeah.

[00:28:03]>> But you can always ask and talk to someone else. You don't have to take it all on yourself and shoulder it all.

[00:28:11]>> Right. Right.

[00:28:12]>> So, I think that's what I've learned.

[00:28:14]Yeah.

[00:28:14]>> That is that's where it's hard because >> learning to delegate and teach.

[00:28:19]>> I'm a terrible delegator. Yeah. And I never was very good at it before, but I'm getting better at it. And I'm teaching as I do it for the help, you know, I'll write it out so they learn something.

[00:28:28]>> Well, and you've been delegating, I think, a bit to Dr. Marina for us, >> right? And she's anxious to start working with you guys.

[00:28:34]>> So, Dr. Marina, um, am I saying that right? Marina, right?

[00:28:38]>> Dr. Mercer is her last name. Marina is her first name.

[00:28:41]>> Um, I've met her before and she's a she's a newer vet there. She's been there for four years. Three, >> yeah, three years, >> I guess. not newer anymore. Three or four years.

[00:28:51]>> I can't think when she started.

[00:28:53]>> Um but we >> probably three or four.

[00:28:55]>> Wow. Gosh. Oh, yeah. That's >> cuz she has a baby.

[00:28:58]>> Mhm.

[00:28:58]>> And he's one and a half. So I bet it is.

[00:29:02]>> And um we've worked with her a little bit here. And I just love her to bits.

[00:29:07]And so Darcy's been I mean I imagine at some point you might want to retire.

[00:29:12]Maybe one day.

[00:29:13]>> I hope not ever, but >> cut back.

[00:29:15]>> Cut back a little bit. Um so we've been working with Dr. um Mercer and she is wonderful. I love her. So, I'm so glad to also work with another vet and have a good >> So, I kind of like to sometimes I'll purposely pass over and just have her do it on her Wednesdays.

[00:29:32]>> Yes. And you had her do um was it Lando recently?

[00:29:35]>> I'm trying to remember. There was a couple things recently she did on a Wednesday. Yeah, you had her do a couple things which I mean >> she's enjoying it like she >> Yeah, they were kind of like goofy cases and you sent them over to her and I think that was really nice practice.

[00:29:49]>> Yeah. And I think Yeah, I'm probably start doing that a little bit more just to get her >> cuz she said she would like to if I'm doing it less and she >> take some >> eventually her kids will be a little older if she has another one and might be a little bit in the future, but it's good to get started now >> cuz it goes fast. She texted me the other day and I was like, she's like, "I hope that's okay. Text." I'm like, "No, save it. Text me anytime." I'm like, "Cuz one day I'll be texting you."

[00:30:15]>> Yeah.

[00:30:15]>> Call you call me anytime.

[00:30:17]>> Yeah.

[00:30:18]>> Um, what would you say is your favorite part about being a veterinarian, >> man?

[00:30:31]Um, in a broad category it' be saving lives, limbs, you know what I mean?

[00:30:42]>> Yeah.

[00:30:43]>> But sometimes you don't always save everything, but putting in what you know is your best effort and doing your best and then >> you can deal with the outcome if you've done your best. Like, you know what I mean? So, but it's really rewarding to see the things that you sometimes don't expect are going to make it make it.

[00:31:05]>> Yeah.

[00:31:05]>> You know, like >> one of the techs I worked with before cuz I worked with large animal guys that were just kind of like, >> you know, they'd come in off the road in their coveralls and be like, "Why are you doing that for?" You know, right?

[00:31:17]>> And she's like, "We're just going to pretend that it's going to live, >> right?

[00:31:20]>> Let's just pretend it's going to make it >> and treat it accordingly."

[00:31:24]>> I love that.

[00:31:25]>> You know what I mean? So, I always think of those basic simple things. We're just going to pretend. I mean, obviously, if it's suffering and bad, I had one last night that I just knew there was nothing I could do. That was the It was really cool cuz it's the >> the auto place in Brian.

[00:31:42]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:31:43]>> John's towing had a mama cat that had two kittens.

[00:31:46]>> The mama cat still No, they just lost her six weeks ago. This is one of the two kittens >> and he found it >> laying out in the driveway, so he brought it right over. Mhm.

[00:31:56]>> And there was just I don't know exactly what happened, but it wasn't going to make it another hour or two, you know, and it was anemic and bleeding inside and so we had to let it go. But, >> you know, that's sad. But I've been in there multiple times cuz my dad goes there with the truck >> and I've seen the cats. They let them lay in the candy bowl.

[00:32:15]>> Oh my god.

[00:32:16]>> So, they really love their cats at the auto place and it's cool and he was really sad. But, >> you know, it's surprising. No, I at least kept it from suffering those last few hours when I know there's nothing I could have done. And it was 13. I mean, it wasn't >> it wasn't Yeah.

[00:32:32]>> super young. You know what I mean? But >> it's surprising how um there is a comfort in euthanasia.

[00:32:40]>> Oh yeah. It was getting to the point where I was like, we got to do something now. Yeah. You know, >> I thought that would be much harder to euthanize, but um here we don't euthanize unless it's medically necessary. Um, and and I'm surprised that there is a comfort into that because you know that there's nothing else >> what you your limits are. It helps to know your limits, but that takes time.

[00:33:01]And I I had to do the ultrasound to really know for sure >> and tap the abdomen and pure blood. Then I knew.

[00:33:09]>> Yeah.

[00:33:10]>> You know, I knew.

[00:33:11]>> Yeah. So, >> I think that's really interesting. Oh, watch out, Kitty. You're sitting on a vet's lap.

[00:33:20]you can get pokey.

[00:33:22]Um, what had the last question I have for you, unless anybody else has something generic, I don't want to get too personal or anything like that, but what would be your most challenging experience as a vet?

[00:33:37]>> What was that's a hard one.

[00:33:41]>> One of the challenging things is knowing >> when to say no. And one of the things that in the past couple years helped me the most was I had a hospice person come in and they said what they tell people or or family is are you wanting us to give medicine to this person or for this person?

[00:34:06]>> If we start to do things to it >> and not for it.

[00:34:11]>> Yeah. That's where I call it I'm in my experimental mode. That's not good. You know what I mean? It helps me distinguish.

[00:34:18]>> I can always think of more things to do.

[00:34:21]>> Absolutely. Yes, you can. Yeah.

[00:34:22]>> I can always think of more things. Well, we could do this and this and this and then I back off and I go, >> am I doing this to this pet or for this pet?

[00:34:31]>> Right.

[00:34:32]>> And that has helped me. That's a challenging >> way to to know when that you can't do more.

[00:34:40]>> Yeah. And you you've said that to us before.

[00:34:43]>> Yeah. And so that has helped me because that's always been so hard to know when to stop cuz I don't want to give up.

[00:34:51]>> Um so I think >> Yeah. I think someone asked about um have I treated Megan's goats? No, because I forget all my goat knowledge.

[00:35:02]I don't remember my large animal. Um someone asked about my daughter Michaela. She'll be so happy that um you ask about her. She's actually in defiance working today.

[00:35:16]>> So, she's doing great.

[00:35:17]>> I'm sorry, guys.

[00:35:20]>> Um someone had a question.

[00:35:23]>> Why is herpes so prevalent in >> Well, there was another question. Maybe that's a diff if I have you treated Megan's goats. Um >> no, I said no because I forgot all my goat stuff.

[00:35:31]>> No, we actually have um a large animal vet um Dr. Brian um who's come in and he showed me how to check for worms or parasites in bets or in vets. Oh my gosh.

[00:35:43]>> It goes >> I hope I don't have Well, I know. Me, too.

[00:35:48]>> Yeah, he's nice.

[00:35:48]>> Yeah, by the eyes >> like you pull that down and if it's like pale then you give them panicure. Like that's weird.

[00:35:56]>> Um Yeah. So, >> cuz they're probably anemic. Yeah.

[00:36:01]Um, we do not have a point here on the premises.

[00:36:05]>> Oh, the beex cat. Yeah, that's um Yes, he can. Um, when they get on beexat and they're doing well, then they just seem to do well for a long time. I haven't used it very much, but that's what they said at the conference.

[00:36:22]>> I haven't oral >> way to treat diabetes.

[00:36:26]>> Really? That's nice. similar to people only there are those drugs in people.

[00:36:31]There's two there's a liquid and a beexat pill for cats.

[00:36:36]>> Can can someone um ask that question one more time about um the herpes prevalent in cats?

[00:36:43]>> Yeah, I saw that.

[00:36:44]>> Um why is herpes so prevalent in cats?

[00:36:47]>> I think it's just so contagious.

[00:36:50]>> Yeah, I mean >> it's airborne. I mean it's just once you I mean >> it's like people getting canker sores. I mean, >> that's a herpes virus. You know what I mean? It's just everywhere. So, if the cat's immune system is such that it just whatever reason can't fight it off, then it harbors it.

[00:37:09]>> Yeah.

[00:37:10]>> Herpes is very common >> and a lot of cats are fine. They never have problems with it.

[00:37:16]>> Um, are eye infections and removals the most common results?

[00:37:19]>> Probably. Yes.

[00:37:20]>> Yeah. If you don't catch it soon enough, it seems like that's the problem.

[00:37:24]>> Yeah. You get them when they're already too late. You might save one eye.

[00:37:28]>> Yeah. Yeah. Generally, when we get them, it's too late.

[00:37:32]>> So, that's the unfortunate part.

[00:37:34]>> Diabetes, you have they drink a lot, but you have to do a blood test for blood sugar and urine. You should you ideally should do both. For diabetes, you should find sugar in the urine and a high blood sugar, >> okay? with clinical signs cuz some cats get so stressed going to the vet, >> they will spill over sugar in their urine and run a really high blood sugar >> and I'll check for ketones and if they're not there I'm like I don't know if this is diabetes. Is it drinking a lot? Is it peeing a lot? You know, >> right?

[00:38:02]>> It's not super easy like you think >> to test for >> if they're not sick, you know.

[00:38:09]>> Um, see here. Do you have a favorite FFRC kitty? Oh gosh.

[00:38:14]>> Oh, I don't think so.

[00:38:15]>> Well, that'd be hard to pick. Yeah.

[00:38:16]>> I don't think I can even pick that.

[00:38:18]That's hard.

[00:38:18]>> I don't think I do.

[00:38:19]>> Rainbow.

[00:38:22]>> Yeah. I can't I can't think of what one I would say is my favorite.

[00:38:26]>> I know. You've seen a lot over the years.

[00:38:28]>> Yeah.

[00:38:29]>> How long have you been working with FFRC?

[00:38:31]>> I'm trying to think how long it's been.

[00:38:35]>> Oh my goodness.

[00:38:36]>> Cuz before you it was Dr. Pedigrew, right?

[00:38:39]>> Yeah. I moved here in ' 03.

[00:38:41]So probably at that point they were coming into the clinic.

[00:38:46]>> Mhm.

[00:38:46]>> So to some extent since >> so it's been a bit >> um >> that's a long time.

[00:38:52]>> How many FIP treatments have you prescribed since FFRC started treating them?

[00:38:56]>> I don't know. They're all through you except a few.

[00:38:59]>> Yeah. Yeah. How many have you done? Like >> I mean we might have done between Dr. Clayman and myself. I don't know if Dr. Mercer's treated one yet outside of here. probably maybe 0.5.

[00:39:12]>> Most of them have been that's why I get my information from you. I'm like, "Okay, what do you notice when and >> yeah, it's it's a really interesting disease."

[00:39:22]>> Yeah. Not cuz you seem a lot of kittens, so you're going to have more volume.

[00:39:26]>> Yeah. It's the volume. Yeah. Isn't that funny? The volume that you see.

[00:39:30]>> Um Oh, are kidney issues more prevalent in cats than other species?

[00:39:36]>> Yeah, I think they would say yes.

[00:39:38]They're pretty common in cats and at a fairly young age sometimes like eight.

[00:39:42]>> Yeah, that's surprising.

[00:39:43]>> They don't know why, but there's a lot of research going into that.

[00:39:46]>> Did you say kidney and cancers were the most common?

[00:39:50]>> Yeah, probably. I mean, kidneys, I think, definitely. Really?

[00:39:53]>> Yeah.

[00:39:55]>> Um, let's see here. Does she treat feral cats?

[00:40:00]>> I mean, like we had two feral cats come to my dad's farm and they're not feral now. You know what I mean? But >> right >> if if it's a trapneuter release type thing I would >> Yeah.

[00:40:11]>> Yeah.

[00:40:13]>> So I mean as best you can when they're feral. I mean there's not but I do have people that have >> cats come and >> you know we'll do the best we can with just plain simple meds that they can give and their food, >> right? Yeah.

[00:40:25]>> You know legally we're not supposed to without seeing the pet. That's the problem. We got legal boundaries.

[00:40:32]>> And it is hard when you can't get a hold of the cat. So, but I'll do my best to work within the legality of it to give them >> medicine to put in the food straight.

[00:40:44]>> Um, how is Jenny after surgery? Um, I haven't seen her after surgery, but she is amazing.

[00:40:50]>> Which one is that? The eye.

[00:40:51]>> Yeah. I wonder >> the entropian.

[00:40:53]>> Yeah. Looks It looks so good.

[00:40:55]>> Yeah. They were thinking they might have to do another one. I said, "Give it time."

[00:40:58]>> Another entropion.

[00:41:00]>> Yeah. But we don't charge for the second one. But sometimes we don't want to take too much. So, we always take too little rather than take too much. So, we might have to do another surgery >> at no charge just cuz we don't want to do too much. But I a lot of them the swelling goes down and they look good.

[00:41:15]>> She looks really good.

[00:41:16]>> So, that's good.

[00:41:17]>> Yeah. I actually just had her look at Gumby. Um and Gumby's arm looks a box that we're good >> in the regards of um Darcy's going to probably do an X-ray on him and see what's really going on with his hand.

[00:41:31]But >> um so there might we might be able to see part of the leg.

[00:41:34]>> Part of the leg. Yeah. Cuz we're hoping >> he can bring it forward which is not the total radial total radial nerve paralysis. They just drag it behind them and he's not doing that.

[00:41:43]>> No.

[00:41:44]>> So I don't know something partial nerve has happened or something.

[00:41:49]>> Yeah.

[00:41:50]>> And he's I feel like he's using it even more as time has gone on.

[00:41:53]>> Yeah. And you can always take the leg off, but I don't think he needs this.

[00:41:56]>> Yeah. Yeah. you know, but if we can take it here and bring that pad down, then he could >> use it as like a pogo sticker.

[00:42:07]>> So, I think that's it for Darcy. I won't take too much of her time. Um, she might go to vet school in her freedom. Okay, for I'm not smart enough. I will tell you that. I am definitely not.

[00:42:17]>> She's great. She's learning a lot. Her questions are getting harder. I I might have to go to the book to answer some of them.

[00:42:27]I don't remember this stuff.

[00:42:30]>> I actually sometimes, not too terribly often, but sometimes I'll come across something in my reading for um Vette and so I'll send a question to Darcy about it and she's like, "Huh?"

[00:42:40]>> I'm like, I don't know either. So, you guys are wonderful.

[00:42:45]>> That's a good challenge.

[00:42:46]>> What's that?

[00:42:47]>> To be challenged is it's fun thing to be challenged. And >> I just like to look up stuff. My problem was time.

[00:42:54]>> I know. Yeah. Yeah. Same here. I I like to look. It takes But >> it takes eight years or more to complete vet school. It does. I think it's eight years.

[00:43:02]>> Well, vet school is four, but you got to do prevet.

[00:43:06]>> So, that'd be the requirements are probably most people at least two, but some people do it in high school now.

[00:43:13]>> Prevet really?

[00:43:14]>> Well, Anderson >> or some of the courses some of the courses >> pre- requirements.

[00:43:18]>> Yeah.

[00:43:19]>> But that'd be hard. You'd have to be really smart to do that, I think.

[00:43:24]>> Oh, well, there's there's a lot.

[00:43:26]>> You got to have six years for sure.

[00:43:27]>> Unless you go on for an internship or residency, then that's another three.

[00:43:32]But then you're specialized. Then you're just going to do cardiology or you're just going to do orthopedic surgery or you're just going to do neurology. You don't get to do anything else.

[00:43:41]>> Thank you so much.

[00:43:42]>> You have to just do referral.

[00:43:44]>> Yeah, that would be >> that's why I didn't want to do that because I mean I love internal medicine, but I would miss surgery.

[00:43:51]You know, I would not want to do just the one thing.

[00:43:54]>> Just the one certain thing.

[00:43:58]>> Oh, saddle trombus.

[00:44:03]>> Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Louis. Oh, >> yeah. That's just a where the heart gets big and so the valve is defective and they form because the blood doesn't leave the ventricle in the atrium with each heart pumping because it goes backwards and it's just a swirly mess. We call it smoke.

[00:44:24]>> You'll just see stuff like blood clots swirling in the heart and one of those little blood clots will get out into the aorta and then when the aorta comes down and branches to the rear legs, it lodges right there. Oh, >> and so then there's no pulse in the legs.

[00:44:40]>> The legs.

[00:44:40]>> Sometimes there is and you can sometimes treat it, but that blood clot if it fully fully oludes both those femoral arteries, there's no blood supply.

[00:44:51]>> Yeah.

[00:44:52]>> And the legs just are going to die without blood supply.

[00:44:55]>> Yeah. That's that's definitely not good.

[00:44:57]>> But partial thrombus and sometimes they'll go the right front leg. um only those we can kind of treat now more >> really there's a new drug out but you got to start it early and you don't always know >> to catch it early. Yeah, >> you just you know and that's the >> catching it early is the hard part and now we have a drug we're going to learn about it at lunch and learn soon.

[00:45:19]>> Oh, that's fun.

[00:45:20]>> But um again, >> you can't use it later on though. That's the problem. See, and that's the amazing part of the amazing part and downside to being a vet, I think, is is all the new meds that keep coming out to change things.

[00:45:32]>> I just heard there was one an injection for flea meds for a year.

[00:45:36]>> Yes. For dogs.

[00:45:37]>> For dogs.

[00:45:38]>> What?

[00:45:39]>> Proveto corn.

[00:45:40]>> Yeah.

[00:45:41]>> I think I >> It's expensive for a big dog, but we give it to some, but we do it a lot in little dogs.

[00:45:46]>> Holy cow.

[00:45:48]>> Yeah. And there's pro heart for a year for heartworm. So people come and get the heartworm injection for a year and their flea tick injection for a year and then they don't have to give any pills.

[00:45:57]>> That's amazing. Why do cats try and hide their sicknesses?

[00:46:00]>> They're like rabbits and ferrets are like that too. They're just known to have a very strong like survival of the >> I was just going to say it's a survival method, right?

[00:46:11]>> They just hide it so that they're not perceived as weak. Um, you can try the other shelters, but again, >> oh, in Turkey, the vet doesn't recommend wet food. They just might not know, >> you know, they might not have the research, you know, >> see if people if anybody wants a kid, >> a PPDH >> and surgery for it. I don't know what PPDH means. I'm sorry. Do you know what that mean?

[00:46:39]>> PDA, >> I guess. I guess I'd have to know what PPDH stands for.

[00:46:46]>> I'm thinking there's PDA.

[00:46:48]>> There's so many abbreviations. There are so many I've graduated crazy.

[00:46:53]>> Um, >> so I'm not sure.

[00:46:56]>> Diaphragm hernia.

[00:46:59]>> We've had hernas here.

[00:47:00]>> Paricardial paral hernia. Um, that'd be tough for us to deal with. We would probably refer that.

[00:47:08]Yeah.

[00:47:10]>> But on that note though, guys, you guys are super wonderful. Thank you for being so kind to our absolutely amazing, wonderful Dr. Darcy, who is just so smart and knowledgeable. And >> what if my brain stops working?

[00:47:25]>> Then I'll have to quit.

[00:47:26]>> No, we'll we'll still we'll still use you.

[00:47:30]>> We'll prop you up in a corner.

[00:47:31]>> Yeah, we'll just put some caps on you.

[00:47:33]>> Or my arthritis gets to the point I can't use my hands. Oh god, I hope that's okay. She is so wonderful. We are so grateful. Um >> we just we thank you so much for everything you do and thank you for >> They're amazing.

[00:47:46]>> I know they are. And >> I mean or we couldn't do >> we couldn't do this and all the cases that we see and all the dentals that you're going to be seeing coming up cuz we have a few. So >> thank you. Thank you. Thank you guys for all of this and for supporting our wonderful Dr. Darcy.

[00:48:01]>> You guys are wonderful. We'll go get you some pizza if you're squeeze some in.

[00:48:05]>> Okay. All right, let's go do that. You guys are wonderful. Thank you so much.

[00:48:10]Oh, they're all thanking for Dr. Darcy.

[00:48:13]>> I'll tell Michaela they ask about her.

[00:48:15]That'll make her happy.

[00:48:16]>> They love Michaela. They ask about her a lot. They do. They do.

[00:48:20]>> Oh, she is such a good mentor. She is very kind >> and very understanding.

[00:48:29]>> I know. Bless her for taking her time.

[00:48:31]She has precious little time off. So, we are so grateful for her. So, feel free to call, make those phones ring, and we're going to go eat some pizza.

[00:48:49]That's good.

[00:48:58]>> It's okay.

[00:48:59]>> She's getting adopted to Las Vegas and her sister who was also >> her fine.

[00:49:11]>> Hi lady.

[00:49:12]>> Hi lady.

[00:49:14]These are my babies. My little lady.

[00:49:17]>> Can you see the one that the That's great. Thank you.

[00:49:22]>> Oh my.

[00:49:22]>> Yep. Byebye.

[00:49:24]>> Oh my.

[00:49:29]>> Yeah, that's >> I called Chris.

[00:49:33]>> No, there I so hopefully she gets it.

[00:49:36]But and that's her mother who is also constantly >> but you are >> Lynette while you're there. You want to take care of her number?

[00:49:49]>> Sure.

[00:49:50]>> Box 167.

[00:49:52]>> Okay. Give me just a second.

[00:50:01]>> Box 167.

[00:50:04]>> Yep. Done deal.

[00:50:05]>> All right. We're getting >> Thank you. 167.

[00:50:10]>> Can you guys see it? Okay.

[00:50:14]>> I I know. I know it.