Good Doctor. Not on OTT, but in Real Life. Meet Dr Karthik, the Vet at Airoli/ Vashi
Long ago, when I was in my postgraduate studies, Vishal Bhola, a younger classmate of mine, told me, “Dada, always meet with people who have passion.”
It was quite a loaded statement, and it evolved. Yes, in a society full of sycophancy cynicism, or both, we all yearn to meet people who breathe fresh air. And yes, people who pursue something, because they love it, are usually better than most, if not all the dispassionate “mango people”.
Why so? Well, I may be wearing tinted glasses. But I would like to think it is not that. Someone who gives time to something that does not immediately result in a financial or social benefit is pursuing something bigger than ordinary. After all, they are giving a part of their life. Time, which one never gets back.
I use this yardstick for people who love or have dogs, and so far. I have been proved right. Yes, I am careful about screening the ones who treat pets as a hobby toy, or status symbol, they are cruel in intent and to be avoided. But the ones who accepted the pets as members of the family, I am keen to meet them and be friends with them. And I made some good friends in the process.
Today I was in for a surprise, A vet in a clinic who seemed to have dedicated himself to serving those with no voice. That is Dr. Karthik’s at Airoli (also available at Vashi), Navi Mumbai.
We are moving back to Bengaluru, and traveling by train (1st AC is the only way to have your pets with you during the travel, otherwise they will be in a parcel van in a crate). For this, we need a Fit to Travel certificate for the pets.
I checked up online for a vet in Airoli and called up for the same. Dr. Karthik, who runs the clinic said coming with updated vaccination records will be sufficient, the dogs need not come. And he will charge nothing for this.
I found it strange. When I took certificates in Kolkata for Bolt, it was INR 200. And in Bengaluru, two certificates were a princely INR 1,000. Of course, they were very elaborate with all the details of vaccines et al.
Anyway, I landed up at Dr. Karthik’s Pet Animal Clinic at Airoli.
(Ok this is not a photo I took).
There was a couple who was with the 10-year pug, Oscar. The parents were discussing some long-term health issues with the doctor. When it ended, they asked how much to pay. The answer is nothing.
Next my turn. I explained the situation and in came the certificates, handwritten with all the details.
How much to pay? I asked. And the answer again was — Nothing.
I was surprised. I know many pet lovers give their lives for the voiceless, but someone who has set up a clinic (and is surely incurring both sunk and operational costs) is running free services? This is not ordinary.
But more surprises are to come.
I was looking for two medicines, Vendisc and Interban LC.
Vendisc was not there, but I got an alternative “Canitone” free, as a free sample (saving INR 500). For Interban LC he suggested an alternative Mupirocin (Dr Karthik said his philosophy is to prescribe as much human medicine as possible for pets so that it becomes more affordable.
Well, that is not all. As I was leaving, some folks came in with a street dog. It had a burst tumor on its chest, with some maggot infestation. The doc immediately swung into action, with a spray at the tumor was, and injections. No discussions on the cost and payments.
Well, we all get to hear good stuff about ordinary mortals, and rarely do we meet them, and even rarely do we see them in action. I was lucky today.
I thought of sharing this because we should know that many ordinary souls make the world a happy place. They are around us. And they give us hope.
Thank you Dr Karthik for strengthening my hope in humanity.
Clinic details at Airoli (there is another one at Vashi)
Pet Animal Clinic
Dr Karthik’s Pet Animal Clinic
Shop No 01, Siddhi Co-operative Housing Society, Sector 20, Airoli, Navi Mumbai — 400708
(Near SVC Of Bank)
(M) +91 90823 58437
