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Alumni Profiles

John Lifton

MACVSc MRCVS
Graduated July 1955

John LiftonI was one of the last graduates to pass with a diploma of membership of the RCVS by examination, prior to the degree course of the University of London.

I paid my own way during the first year, not knowing how I was to continue. As a result of doing well in the first professional examination, I was given a “Special Exhibition” by the Kent Education Committee which enabled me to carry on. It still meant working during the vacations to raise extra funds to survive.

I enjoyed my five years at the RVC, especially the final year at Streatley. The fancy dress dances, the Coronation Ball, the Streatley Sports days, the plays and the Streatley Revue all added to the enjoyment. The Chappie dinner in the third year stands out as a momentous occasion. Len Rutherford invited me to a party at the UCH Hospital for Tropical Diseases where I met my future wife, now of 54 years.

After five years in mixed practice in Gloucester and Somerset, I went to Cheltenham with the promise of a partnership. The prospect of a partnership was offered as bait by many principals at that time without any real intention on their part. I was disillusioned, and replied to an advertisement to work for a vet club in New Zealand. Within six weeks with Wendy, my wife and two and a half children, I was on the “Dominion Monarch” bound for Auckland. Six and a half weeks later we arrived in New Zealand.

I worked a three year contract with the Huntly District Veterinary Club (Inc). In my district of Taupiri, I was personally responsible for 10,000 dairy cows, horses, sheep, beef cattle, working dogs and some domestic pets. The cows all calved within a three month period and went down with every conceivable metabolic disease, apart from the usual dystocias. The club veterinarians set up strategic supply dumps of basic metabolic solutions and antibiotics. It was then possible for farmers to pick up drugs and give some emergency treatments under the telephone control of a veterinary surgeon before he could get to the farm. I worked extremely hard for the first three months without a break, starting at 6am and often not finishing until 10 pm. This was known euphemistically as the “busy season.” Vets were then in short supply. I am number 510 on the NZ register!

At the end of three years I was somewhat fed up with the back ends of cows! Bonus payments meant that I now had some capital, and with the help of a friendly bank manager moved to Henderson in West Auckland and set up in private practice. At first it was a very mixed practice with town supply dairy herds, pigs, goats, race horses, trotters and children’s ponies apart from companion animals.

After three months I was self sufficient. The practice built up eventually into a three person affair. As Auckland City spread, my large animal practice diminished. By 1969 I had to make a choice and became 100% companion animal.

During my professional career I have dealt with nearly every species of animal. One interesting study tour covered the diseases of rabbits in France, the UK and the USA. In the early days, a number of Auckland practitioners including myself, were involved with leading cardio - thoracic surgeons in experimental heart valve transplants in dogs prior to their use in human subjects.

I served two terms as a councillor on the New Zealand Veterinary Association Council and became the first liaison officer with the Auckland SPCA. I was involved in the setting up of the NZVA Hip Dysplasia Panel in 1967 and produced the first companion animal report for municipal authorities in NZ.

In 1971 I attended the setting up the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, a post graduate college designed to encourage practitioners to specialise.

This organisation follows in many ways the regime of certification and fellowship of the Royal College by examination. Many Fellows of the ACVSc now practice in Australasia as specialists. I was invited to become a foundation member in 1971.

I was involved with a group of other Auckland practitioners in setting up the Companion Animal Society, a special interest branch of the NZVA.

For me, the profession was a lifestyle. My personal life was irrevocably entwined with my profession. “Burn out” and “stress” were not considered an issue.

I feel proud to have been involved in the control of bovine TB, Contagious Abortion both in the UK and in NZ, and Bovine Leptospirosis in NZ.

Distemper in dogs and feline respiratory and other diseases were gradually controlled by vaccination in my lifetime. They were a real problem when I first qualified.

My advice to new graduates is to make sure that you enjoy every aspect of your work. Get to know and befriend families whose animals you are looking after. There is more to being a practitioner than just treating animals!  Come to a satisfactory conclusion with every case and be frank and honest with your clients. Go the extra mile and don’t ever stop the flow of work, if you wish to succeed.

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