A TAVISTOCK veterinary centre is working towards becoming a recognised dementia friendly practice and is appealing for carers or families of dementia sufferers who have a pet registered with them to get in touch, following a recent incident involving a client with the condition.

Westmoor Veterinary Practice recently had a client who called the practice to tell them that her dog was not well.

On collecting the dog, the vet decided there was nothing they could do to save the pet. With the client’s consent, the pet was euthanised at the surgery and the client left the surgery on her own.

A spokesperson for the practice said: ‘What we had realised during our short interactions with the client was that she wasn’t able to fully comprehend what had happened.

‘There were many phone calls and members of staff went to check up on her at home, going through the same conversation about the events of the day with patience and care.

‘The client required repeated confirmation that her best friend and sole companion wasn’t coming home again and we felt helpless to know what more we could do to help.

‘It wasn’t until a couple of days later that we had a telephone call from the client’s friend who confirmed that this lady suffered from dementia, followed by a call from a doctor’s surgery to clarify details so they could also help.

‘We had no notes on the client’s records to show that there was anyone else we could contact and we risked a breach of confidentiality by approaching her neighbours.

‘So it was a relief to know that the client was being cared for and someone with the appropriate experience and knowledge was able to support her through this shock.

‘So please, if you are a carer or family member for someone you know suffers with dementia or memory loss problems and you know they have a pet registered with us, would you make the time to drop by the surgery with them and give us your details to add to their records as someone we could contact in the event of an emergency?

‘With client confidentiality, it is really hard for us to reach out without their permission and, as this event has shown, in the case of a sudden tragedy, the client isn’t always able to give us information of someone we can call.

‘We wouldn’t use your information unless it was necessary but, should another situation like this one arise again, it would put us in a much better position to support our clients for whom the battle of dementia and memory loss is a daily one.’