Their kind smiles and reassuring words can be a source of strength for both pets and their owners, but they, too, face their share of ups and downs.

On World Veterinary Day, FMT spoke to three doctors about their memorable encounters with animals – and some truly horrifying animal abuse cases they’ve had to deal with.

I can’t believe the animals did that

One morning in 2017, Dr Nesa Wathi Subramaniam of Claws Veterinary Clinic in Klang arrived at work to discover all the animals had been let out of their cages.

When she learned who the cheeky culprit was, she couldn’t help laughing. It turned out to be a dog named Thrombie who was undergoing treatment for a skin condition.

“Thrombie learned how to open his own cage and then figured out how to release all the other animals,” the 39-year-old shared.

He was also kind to animals in other ways, she said.

“He sits with animals that are sedated until they are fully awake. I never thought a dog could do that.”

Then, there is Ricco. Seven years ago, the stray was brought in by a rescuer as he was suffering from parvovirus and distemper, which are contagious viral diseases.

He had an extended stay at the clinic during his treatment, and when he sensed it was time to be transported to an animal shelter, he scooted off.

Nesa Wathi was horrified when she heard this as the clinic was located in front of a highway. After a fruitless search, she trudged home empty-handed and remained distraught throughout the night.

What greeted her the next morning at the clinic was the last thing she expected to see, but it left her overjoyed. “[Ricco] bit a hole through the door to get inside the clinic!”

Today, Ricco is a permanent resident of the clinic and donates his blood to other animals in need.

For Dr Nor Jawahir Abdullah of Ohana Veterinary Clinic and Surgery in the Klang Valley, she was left amazed at the sense of community displayed by a family of otters at a zoo.

“They were holding each other’s hands as they slept in the water so that no one would drift away,” said the 34-year-old, who is fondly known as Dr Wawa.

Dr Hazliza Zuhir of AZ Animal Clinic and Pet Hotel in Shah Alam, Selangor also learned something unique about animals when she was growing up.

“My parents had a few rabbits and a cat, but they all got along. I believe that even different animals can live harmoniously if they are brought up together,” the 41-year-old said.

I can’t believe humans did that

But even as they witnessed animals helping and living peacefully with each other – and perhaps displaying a sense of humanity – the vets have been appalled by the cruelty of some humans.

Hazliza said she cannot forget the emaciated cat she once treated. “His nails were embedded in his paw. [This usually happens] when a cat has been caged for a long time and there is nowhere for him to scratch his nails.”

Scratching is important for cats to shorten and condition their nails, and if they don’t, it can result in painful ingrown nails.

There was also a cat that was brought in after its owner realised that he wasn’t eating. It didn’t take long for Hazliza to realise that his collar was very tight.

“After I unfastened the collar, I saw that it had already cut into its throat. He couldn’t eat because he couldn’t swallow.” She later learned that the three-year-old cat had been wearing the same collar since he was a kitten.

Admittedly, cases like these both sadden and anger her. “Regardless of humans or animals, a life is a life.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Nor Jawahir, who described neglect as a form of abuse.

While many pet owners vaccinate, deworm, deflea, neuter and provide a comfortable space for the animals in their care, Nor Jawahir revealed that she treats abuse cases – including negligence – at least once a month.

She urged members of the public to lodge complaints of animal abuse they encounter with the Department of Veterinary Services.

Nesa Wathi meanwhile pointed out other forms of abuse such as the manner in which chickens are transported in tiny, cramped cages to slaughterhouses or when wildlife lose their natural habitats due to ill-planned development.

The latter, she believes, is what causes a number of animals to end up as roadkill when they look for new habitats.

“Yes, development is needed, but create a pathway so these animals can travel safely,” she shared, adding that she is also saddened by how strays are killed “as though they are pests”.

“If there is something that humans have forgotten, it’s the value of empathy and how to be humans.”