24 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} What’s a common misconception people have about veterinarians? That it’s playing with puppies and kittens all day. In reality, it is a very challenging profession. What’s a typical day on the job look like? I start my day with scheduled dental procedures/surgeries in the morning, sometimes in between cases I will tend to a couple of patients who need care urgently, then I try to do call-backs, approve prescriptions, squeeze in my lunch and then see appointments in the afternoons. Can you share a funny story from the vet clinic? Telling the difference between very young male and female kittens can sometimes be hard for the general public. We sometimes get clients who come in with a cat named “Bella” for example, only to be told that Bella, in fact, is a boy. Sometimes people change the name, sometimes they don’t. When did you first decide you wanted to work with animals? I always knew I wanted to become a veterinarian and never considered anything else as a career. Although I did not have pets while growing up in Pune, India, I interacted with various animals at farms and zoos, and I felt a strong connection with them. Do you have any pets now? We had two cats Chao and Myow. Myow passed away at a young age, but our dear Chao gave us company for 10 beautiful years. What’s your spirit animal? A mixed-breed rescue dog. Adaptable, resilient and always THE Q & A MUKUL PADALKAR grateful for new opportunities. These qualities have served me well throughout my career. How do you handle the escape artists? There was a cat once who was scheduled for surgery and the owner brought her in without a carrier, just in their arms. The cat ended up escaping up a tree in the parking lot. The entire team was trying different things to bring the cat down: treats, food, one person tried to climb up themselves, but the cat kept going higher. Ultimately, we needed to call the firefighters, who put up a very tall ladder and were able to bring the cat down safely. Do you have any phobias? I am terrified of caterpillars and, to an extent, clowns. What do you consider a must-do on your bucket list? There are many, but one of them is the Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park. What animal tends to be the biggest drama queen? Siberian Huskies didn’t become YouTube sensations and memes overnight—that theatrical streak runs deep in their history. Their distinctly loud, musical howls and whines were originally required for survival and communication within the pack in Arctic environments, but in today’s urban setting they manifest as hilarious tantrums over basic things! Combine that with their highly expressive faces, independent personalities and rich vocal language, and they can seem a bit dramatic. Sometimes they will howl during minor procedures like a nail trim! What do you collect? Memories. A veterinarian at Revive Veterinary Care in San Carlos discusses diva patients, furry escapees and the one creature she wants nothing to do with.
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