Vet on Call: My First Year as an Out-of-Hours Vet

by Marc Abraham

When his father sat him down and told him to "make something" of himself, young vet Marc Abraham decided to do it the hard way—by setting up an emergency "out of hours" clinic. If getting used to the long night shifts wasn’t bad enough, emergency cases are rarely straightforward. Whether it was dog who swallowed golf balls, or a gerbil in urgent need of a caesarean, every case had the potential for heartbreak. But animals and their owners could also be hilarious, such as the breeder who unwittingly gave his German Shepherd four testicles. Over the course of 12 tough months, the clinic began to flourish. Would Marc finally make something of himself after all? Marc Abraham writes guilelessly about his early mistakes, and the terror and joy involved in saving an animal’s life. His memoir is a heartwarming, compelling, and thoroughly entertaining look at the life of a vet on call.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Biography

332 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2011

About the author

Marc Abraham is veterinary advisor to the Kennel Club of Great Britain, and has judged a range of charity dog shows including Battersea Dogs Home and The Mayhew Animal Home and is also the resident vet on ITV's This Morning. He also regularly gives pet advice on BBC Breakfast and other TV shows. His series My Pet Shame with Joanna Page is on Sky One and in 2010 he also presented Crufts with Clare Balding on More 4. He also writes a column for national canine newspaper Our Dogs and has a monthly phone in as resident vet on BBC Sussex Radio. He is cofounder of www.thepet.net and his own website is www.marcthevet.com. In 2007, Marc was voted the UK's Favorite Vet by the British public, in the form of the Petplan Special Recognition Award.

Reviews

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in a refreshing and hilarious way, I loved this account of a vet's first six months setting up his own emergency put of hours surgery with no one bug a spunky, herbal tea drinking assistant called Ruth. The cases are nothing short of unbelievable, from a cat laying an egg, a dog with four testicles and a gerbil in need of a caesarean. Marc has managed to retain his humour whilst being honest and at times heartbreaking. Lovely book.

[Millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! I found it equally funny and sad in places. I'm so glad there are people like Marc in the world!

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing a heavier book I was hoping for something light to refresh myself with and this book served that purpose well. Marc Abraham documents his move into night shift work as a vet and details some of the cases he helped. Light on details it’s neither a deep dive into veterinary practice, nor the hardship of establishing business, but it’s gentle and harmless.

[Paul Shepherd]

Did not finish this book

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir has to be at the top of the Christmas list for every animal lover and individual who aspires to work in an animal-based career, being that it is the most insightful personal account that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Told ‘from the horses mouth’ (so to speak) this novel tells the story of a veterinarians job role in such an informal, quite colloquial and chatty way that makes you feel a part of the authors work, as if this account is being told to you personally. For anyone who has read and loved the series regarding James Herriot, you will encounter a very similar rendition in the form of a single volume that is brimmed full of drama, humor and whit alongside the more technical aspects and details of the job role. Marc Abraham writes in such a way as to make you understand his experiences, the highs and the lows in vivid color that is truly heart-warming, compelling and thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end. This is a book that speaks most candidly on all matters regarding the animal industry that gives you a thorough and detailed picture of what it is truly like, without anything being ‘glossed over’ or left unmentioned. He is a author who does not shy away from honesty as to present to the reader a most credible memoir, as it should be. The beautiful fluidity of the writing keeps you engaged, with the fast-paced action and drama leaving you utterly enthralled and mesmerized from page one. This is one of the most enjoyable animal-based works that I have read this year, one that made me laugh out loud, gasp in shock and had me with tears running down my face in places that were so emotive and thought-provoking. The book’s beautiful cover is stunningly eye-catching and one which deserves to stand-out on the bookshelf for it surpasses all expectations. A highly delightful, exciting and touching read that tugs at the heartstrings, that leaves many unforgettable and lasting memories.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after I read his Pets in Need book, which is a children's adaptation of Vet on Call. As a childrens librarian I read lots of children's and teen books, and my daughter loves animals so I bring things home for animal stories for her. So really this review is of both books :)

Pets in need is good, but kids who love animals want to read about the animals, and there's a bit too much information about the vet himself and his practice. It was superflous to the story, and I notice my daughter didn't finish the book. Maybe if we were British and know the vet - who seems to be a celebrity in the UK - that might have been more interesting.

The adult version fleshes out a lot of the stories, and for adults the setting up of the out-of-hours vet practice is quite interesting. The stories are sort of modern day James Herriot, without the sense of place Herriot imbues his stories with, and without the lyrical language. Abraham writes in a down to earth, more prosaic way. He does come across as a bit arrogant at times, but what I liked best was the chapter when he cocked up badly. It showed a little less confidence, and it's actually good to read about someone else's mistakes. This is terrible schadenfraude, I know, but we live in such an age of personality and people banging on about their successes in life it's good to read about real people's mistakes - God knows, we all make them.

So in summary - an undemanding read, which can be enjoyed by anyone who likes animals and a warm, unchallenging style of writing.

[Tria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars; it loses half a star for really awful editing. Otherwise a decent memoir of a vet setting up and working through the first year of his own out-of-hours sub-practice. Trigger warning for mentions (albeit not excessively graphic, fortunately) of animal cruelty. Picked this up off the book sale shelf at my local library. It's not a bad piece, but I don't know if it's something I would have gone for at full price. I think the author's name is supposed to be a selling point, since he now works (or has done so?) as the resident advice vet on a popular British weekday-morning TV show, but I don't watch live TV and haven't in nearly a decade, except during visits to my dad's house, so it didn't say anything to me.

[Sine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it interesting to know more about what a vet does, so I enjoyed the book, although it might have been somewhat directed to young adults/children, which I find boring. And if I cared more about what people think, I would be embarassed about reading this book with that cover in public, it looks childish, like I'm having problems with reading.
All in all, the story was inspiring and felt authentic, and the details about the medical stuff were interesting.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the antics of Marc as he sets up his first ever emergency practice. Comical moments are entwined with sad ones but his love for animals shines through . A must read for any animal lover .

[Lilias Bennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not James Herriot. Easy read but disappointing.

[Jane Caruana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotive in places, while humourous in others, a good read.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.having worked in a vets for 4 years it was really enjoyable to read

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid I wouldn't refer my clients to the emergency practice he describes - I expect a different level of care for my patients.
The story was OK.

[Mr Puddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book !

[Chele · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Herriot rides again - or not... but still fun.

[Princess Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of touching and funny stories in the book. Definitely highlights the trials and tribulations of the job! Well done Marc!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read..cute and entertaining if you're in the mood for something light and like animals.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day to day life as an out of hours vet and the people and their pets he encountered. An often funny sometimes sad lighthearted read

[Athena Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough read

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jumped around too much.

[Tina Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow but enjoyable

I liked this book but it was slow and took me awhile to read.
I do recommend it to anyone who has a love of animals.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm hearted, humorous and enjoyable to read, if of course, you are interested in animals.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

quite cute and very entertaining.

[Natalie Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book had me in stitches warning do not read before you go to bed you won't be able to put it down x

[Alison Daldy]

I had read this book before (of course I didn't realise that when I got it out).
Loved it just as much the second time. Great stories and well written. Tears and laughter.