Ms Huston said it had been a tough year in the 24hr clinic. I ve been an emergency vet for 10 years and I think this year is the worst one we ve had, Ms Huston said. It takes a huge mental toll on our team. It s obviously distressing as an owner to see your pets go through that. But for us, when it s patient after patient and the ones where we re doing everything right, it is absolutely heartbreaking. And when it happens day after day, after day in the height of ticks season, it takes a huge toll. The message for pet owners now is prevention is far better than cure.