Emergency vet call 2:13 am 05/02/24
Disbacher: Hello you’ve reached Coaststay Vet’s emergency night line.
Caller: My dog is choking! There’s something stuck in her throat, I can feel it, she can’t get it up!
Dispatcher: Tell me the address.
Caller: It’s 16a Compton Terrace!
Dispatcher: Help is on the way, please can you put your hand in front of her nose?
(Pause)
Dispatcher: Do you feel any air?
Caller: No! She’s starting to wobble, she can’t stand.
Dispatcher: Try and encourage her to lie down.
Caller: (voice break) Come baby, there. There. Shh, like that.
Dispatcher: Does her neck appear to be swollen? Or anywhere on her face that looks puffy or discolored?
Caller: No but I can see it in her throat.
(Pause)
Caller: It’s a ball, or a marble. Please, please.
Dispatcher: Try and keep calm, they should arrive any second. What breed is she?
Caller: She’s a border collie.
Dispatcher: What’s her name?
Caller: (Voice break) Lottie.
Dispatcher: Don’t leave Lottie alone, okay? And stay on the line. It should be less than five minutes now.
Caller: I just heard her going insane from upstairs, she woke me.
Dispatcher: Keep calm, okay?
Caller: Yes… Oh, oh, wait I think she might be managing to get it out!
(Pause)
Caller: Shh, shh, come on girl! Push!
(coughing and spluttering heard)
Dispatcher: Hello?
Caller: It’s out! God, God, okay. Ahhhhh, thank fuck.
Dispatcher: Is Lottie breathing?
(Licking heard)
Caller: Yes! She’s wagging her tail, but a bit shaken up.
(Pause)
Caller: Jesus Christ.
Dispatcher: I need to know if Lottie still requires the vet ma’am.
Caller: What on earth is that?
(Pause)
Caller: … It’s moving.
Dispatcher: What’s moving? Lottie?
Caller: Whatever she coughed up, it’s moving… What the fuck? What the fuck is that?
(Pause)
Caller: Is it a fucking squirrel?
Dispatcher: Okay, calm down, can you explain what’s happening with Lottie?
Caller: She’s fine but… Whatever she got out is moving, it’s on the floor, Jesus Christ. It’s brown, and it won’t stop moving.
Dispatcher: What was in her throat?
Caller: It looks like … a squirrel- without a tail. No, it looks white.
(Pause)
Dispatcher: Do you still require the vet? Is the dog breathing now?
Caller: Ah, no, Lottie, no, drop it. Fuck, she’s trying to get it back in her mouth! Lottie leave it alone!
(Lapping sounds.)
Caller: … It’s a puppy! I can see its little face! And ears.
(Pause)
Caller: It’s all wet, but it’s a puppy, it’s a puppy and- Shh, shh. Girl?
(Dog whimpering, retching)
Dispatcher: Is Lottie okay?
Caller: No, no? I think she’s scared, no she’s sick. Her stomach must still hurt, or- God, oh God no.
Dispatcher: Do you still require the vet? Or should I cancel your request?
Caller: Yes I require the vet because there’s a fucking puppy on my kitchen floor! Lottie, shh, shh. Come on, sit. Do you need to lie down again?
(Pause)
Caller: I think there’s another one coming up.
(Call ended 2:24 am 05/02/24)