There have been many but the most recent that really helped a client with the help of her pet was when I called to check on her dog and remind her that the bandage on the paw was due to be changed that same day. The owner told me she was instructed at discharge to remove the bandage herself in 3 days. I informed the client that the discharge instructions I was reading in the chart said bandage “change” in 3 days which meant to come into the hospital. Since the laceration was on the bottom of the paw and had sutures it is strongly advised she bring her dog in so we can make sure it all looks ok when we remove bandage and it may need a new bandage if not. Owner informed me she was catching a plane out of town in a few hrs and could not bring him in. I asked if she could have the person dog sitting bring him in. She said her grandfather could not bring him, could not fit him in his car. Again, I said I would feel so much better if patient was brought into the hospital. I had so much trouble convincing her that what they told her “verbally at discharge did not match the go home instructions and apologized for that but due to the nature of the injury I did not feel comfortable with her removing the bandage and leaving out of town for 3 days. Then she told me she would just leave the bandage on until she returned from her trip. I informed the owner that was an even worse idea. The longest a bandage is on the paw for is a maximum 3 days! Please do not leave the bandage on or we may have even worse problems! We finally decided she would remove the bandage and please call us if anything doesn’t look right. I went through all the things her grandfather should watch for like not letting him run around outside on the paw, mainly keep him inside resting, etc. If at all possible though, please have someone bring him in so we can check the paw. I made a note to myself to check the next day to see if P had been brought in. Sure enough the owner’s mother brought her dog in and the paw had to be cleaned and another bandage applied with strict instructions to return in 3 days for another bandage change! I was so grateful that I had taken the time to convince this client to have someone bring her dog in. This could have turned out very badly if I hadn’t. This happened quite a few times at this hospital where the verbal and written instructions did not match. So important that they do. Usually the client will hear the verbal and not read the written we send home or vice versa. My years of experience working in an animal hospital really came into play when things like this came up. You really have to go with your instincts and experience to know what is the right course of action. This was one of those times and I’m so thankful that I listened to that inner voice that tells you something is not right. I could have just said, well that’s ok, if that what they told you at discharge then that’s what you should do, but I knew, from my experience, that was not right!