Being a veterinarian has always been obvious to Adrien Leprince.
In his childhood, he took care of the birds that his dog mistakenly took for playmates. After studying at the famous veterinary school of Maisons-Alfort (Val-de-Marne), the forty-year-old worked for a year at SOS vet in the Paris region before moving closer to the West, the cradle of his family.
He works in clinics, where he enjoys the adrenaline of “night emergencies”, before wanting to “rediscover closeness” with his patients.
He then decided to become itinerant, while remaining complementary to the clinics in southern Finistère, between Pont-l'Abbé, Quimper and Fouesnant.
“I stop when there are waves,” he laughs.
Early geriatrics and end of life
On board his gray van, he transports all the equipment necessary for his home visits (make appointments only by SMS at 06.38.56.88.77).
“I provide check-ups, vaccinations and general medical care.
I can perform surgical procedures such as castration or sterilization, extraction of small masses, dental care, scaling or tooth extraction, ultrasound examinations, electrocardiogram, childbirth.
When the animal's condition justifies transport to a clinic, I can also drop it off there.
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Also read “Animals reveal the best in humans”: in the shoes of an emergency vet
He supports animals at the end of their lives.
“I do geriatrics.
With the owner, we can decide to adapt the animal's environment so that it is safe and comforting, and to relieve chronic pain with palliative treatments.
It is then up to the owner to decide whether to end the animal's life.
It is always a very painful moment.
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Adopted by a magpie and a parakeet
Among his patients, dogs and cats but also rabbits, turtles, chickens and even a magpie.
“People had collected this bird which they called Margot.
She was very funny.
When she decided I had to leave, she made it known loudly.
» During another intervention, a parakeet took a liking to Adrien Leprince, who came to care for the house dog.
“She lived freely in the house.
She perched on my shoulder, fascinated by my beard,” says the veterinarian.
Some animals are more recalcitrant than others.
“Cats often hide in unlikely places: in a pan, between the box spring and the mattress.
One hid behind a cupboard that had to be moved.
We realized that it was the house ferret's hiding place.
He hid his loot there, all his plunders!
» Unusual stories and endearing patients who motivate Adrien Leprince to travel an average of 40,000 km per year.