1083. The internet connections open the door....

"I went to the internet and typed "Singapore Vets," the gentleman told me yesterday, July 18, 2012 as he and his wife came to take the chihuahua home at 4 pm. "I skipped church as I saw that my dog did not want to eat her breakfast and was sleepy. The internet showed Toa Payoh Vets being open on Sundays and the opening hours and so I came to your surgery. Normally my wife goes to another vet in Ang Mo Kio but she was overseas on that Sunday." 

I told them that the dog was operated by Dr Daniel Sing who had not minded discharging the dog after surgery. But I had intervened and strongly advised the gentleman to hospitalise her for 3 days as pyometra is a serious illness and the daily temperature needed to be monitored at Toa Payoh Vets. There could be stitch breakdown due to the dog jumping at home and unhappiness in having to re-stitch. At least 2 days of hospitalisation and also not to wait till the wife return from the UK to see the dog before surgery as pyometra is life-threatening. I advised that the dog returned home when the wife came back from overseas and this meant 3 days of hospitalisation which was good for this fierce chihuahua who growls whenever she sees me. She remembered me palpating her swollen abdomen for the enlarged uterus to confirm pyometra (without X-ray or blood test if the owner didn't want the tests). It caused her pain and she never forgave me.

The dog was visited by the family including the adult daughter and her friend during the past 3 days.

The wife has her favourite vet and so this would be the last time I see the dog as the wife is the one in charge of the chihuahua's health.

The internet has opened the door for Dr Daniel Sing to gain a new client. Can he retain the loyalty of the client? A good surgical outcome helps but there is more to make the connections with a new client.

As for me, I have made the connections because the wife asked for my name and then for my name card. Dr Daniel was in Bangkok at this time, otherwise he would be present.

The internet connects open the door. Will Dr Daniel be able to connect with this new client? The veterinary professors have not taught him how to do it as this is not their main job.