Out of all the patients we see in our clinic, there are cases we don’t easily forget…
Not because they were rare or complicated, but because they came to us… too late.
This letter is for the pet owners who loved deeply… but hesitated.
Who cared… but waited.
And in the end, lost someone they couldn’t bear to lose.
This is not a letter of blame.
It is a letter of understanding.
Of reflection.
And we hope, a message that can help prevent future heartbreak.
“Doc, he just got weak today.”
We hear this a lot.
But when we ask deeper questions:
“When did the vomiting start?”
“How long has he refused to eat?”
“When did you first notice the fever?”
The answers are often:
“About three days ago, but we thought he’d get better on his own.”
“We tried giving some human meds first.”
“We searched online and waited to see if it would go away.”
And by then… what was once treatable had already turned critical.
A ₱800 blood test could’ve prevented a ₱30,000 confinement.
A simple deworming could’ve saved a life.
But now we’re fighting to keep vital organs from shutting down.
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We Know You Love Them
We see it in how you carry them like a child.
In the way you stroke their head, whispering,
“Please, Doc… do everything you can.”
There’s no doubt you love them.
But sometimes, love needs to show up earlier.
Because in veterinary medicine, time is everything.
And with every delay, their chances get smaller.
Confinement Is Not Punishment. It’s a Chance.
Many owners hesitate when we say their pet needs to be admitted.
Some think it’s just about making money.
Others fear their pet will be lonely or stressed in a cage.
Some want to try home remedies first.
But confinement is not the enemy. Delay is.
We’ve seen pets survive because we had time.
And we’ve lost pets we could’ve saved… if only they came sooner.
We Understand the Financial Burden
We get it. Vet bills can be difficult.
You have rent to pay, children to feed, other responsibilities.
But please remember:
Preventive care is always more affordable than emergency care.
₱500 today can save you from ₱50,000 tomorrow.
And more than money—what you save is your pet’s life.
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If You’ve Already Lost a Pet Because You Waited Too Long…
This letter is not here to shame you.
We know you did what you could, with what you knew, and what you had.
You loved them. You tried. And that still matters.
But maybe now, knowing more… we can do better.
Maybe your story can save someone else’s.
Please Don’t Wait Again
If you notice vomiting—come in.
If appetite changes—let’s check.
If you have doubts—ask us.
Don’t wait for labored breathing.
Don’t wait until they collapse.
Don’t wait until your only words are: “Doc, sana naagapan.” (Doc, I wish we caught it early.)
Because when you bring them in early—
You’re not just giving us a patient.
You’re giving us a chance.
And sometimes, that’s all we need to save their life.
From your veterinary team who truly cares—
We’re not just fighting disease.
We’re fighting time.
And every hour you give us matters.
With compassion, honesty, and hope,
—Your Veterinarian
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Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
