Dr. Long Q & A
If she’s not traveling, hiking, or spending time her family and fur babies, you will most certainly always find her at IVC loving on all of her fuzzy patients. Dr. Long is such an important part of the clinic’s veterinary team and puts her vast medical knowledge to use day in and day out. Maybe you’ve spent time getting to know Dr. Long over the years but are curious to learn more? Well, you’re in luck! Read on for a special Q&A with the doctor herself.
Where did you attend veterinary school?
The University of Florida. Go GATORS!
What made you choose this particular school?
Honestly because it was the only veterinary school in Florida. I was accepted there for undergrad as well so I was fortunate to be able to attend all 8 years of school at UF.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in the veterinary field?
As a child I lived in New Hampshire out in the country. There was a working farm across the street with dairy cows and we had a lot of animals (cats, dogs, birds, horses) growing up. After a trip to take one of our pets to the local veterinarian I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian. In college, I briefly considered becoming a physician but quickly realized that by being a veterinarian, although I would be primarily taking care of animals, I would also be taking care of the people that loved them as well.
What inspires you to go to work every day?
Hoping to improve the quality of life for my patients. And super cute noses.
What’s your favorite thing about Independence Veterinary Clinic?
The small clinic and family feel.
Tell us about your favorite childhood pet.
It’s a tie between my cat Diamond, who had kittens we got to raise, and decided I was her favorite family member (very exciting for a 6 year old) and my black lab/shepherd mix Thunder. She was the most loyal, smart and loving dog.
Give us the funniest animal experience/story you’ve got.
Not exactly a funny story, but definitely interesting!
One Christmas season, at a previous clinic, I was examining the boarding animals that needed a vet check up while they were staying with us. The veterinary technician brought me a young and feisty kitty that needed her yearly exam. When I went to palpate her abdomen her stomach was about 3-4 times the normal size and very hard.
I called the owner on vacation and let her know I thought her kitty had a foreign body in her stomach. She had no idea what the cat might have eaten. The client said the cat had vomited a little but overall was healthy. When we went to surgery her stomach was full of material from a plastic Christmas tree and other plastic Christmas decor.
When she was recovered from surgery I called her owner to let her know what we had found. Shockingly, the client said that this must have been from the previous Christmas as she had not put any Christmas decorations up that year because she was going to be out of town for the holiday.
This cat had survived the entire year with almost no room available in her stomach to digest food and only had occasional vomiting. This kitty ended up having an addiction and multiple surgeries later in life to remove inappropriate things she had eaten.
