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What was it like to be a veterinarian fifty years ago and what are the differences with today? We went to visit Jelke Algra (76) and Lex Lobstein (73) in Balk, Friesland. These good-natured gentlemen are not only brothers-in-law, but also studied veterinary medicine together in Utrecht. While enjoying a cup of coffee and a piece of orange cake, a lot of beautiful memories surfaced.

You both grew up in Friesland and married two sisters you knew from high school in Sneek. Real childhood sweethearts! After that you both lived in different places in the Netherlands, but eventually you returned to Friesland. Was that a conscious choice?
Algra: 'For Lex it was, but not for me. We were living in Hardenberg when my wife, who was pregnant with our second child at the time, indicated that she wanted to move to Balk. I wasn't keen on that at all and deliberately wrote a very bad letter to the practice where I was applying at the time. I still don't know exactly what went wrong, but I was hired. And now I've been living here for 45 years. With great pleasure, by the way!

Why did you choose the profession at the time?

Lobstein: 'I am quite physical, sitting behind a desk is not for me. I also like being outdoors. When I was little, we had a dog at home that turned out to be unexpectedly pregnant. Those puppies were born by cesarean section and I remember finding that mighty interesting. I think that was the basis for my decision to become a veterinarian later on.

Algra: 'Just like Lex I am not an office type. I first studied biochemistry in Groningen but I didn't like being locked up in a lab, I wanted to be outside! Veterinary medicine seemed the logical choice.

There used to be a thriving trade in illegal antibiotics, it really got out of hand

Veterinary medicine has evolved considerably over time. How have you seen the profession change?
 

Lobstein: "We started in primitive times, we were happy if we had a car at all! I think the current generation of veterinarians is a bit more of a handful. On the other hand, we also had it easier in the old days, because we weren't bothered by regulations as much. We were free boys.'

Algra: 'Yes, the regulations are a bit of a problem. I understand that it is necessary, but it has also made the profession less attractive and imposed restrictions on the treatment of patients.'

Lobstein: 'Still, it is good that this control is there. There used to be a flourishing trade in illegal antibiotics, which really got out of hand. This has now been curbed. I also see that the modern mega-stables are better geared to animal welfare and animal health than the stables of yesteryear. So all these regulations do lead somewhere.

Speaking of developments, is it true that your father-in-law was also a veterinarian and the designer of the cow bra?
 

Lobstein: 'Yes indeed! He had to fight a long time to get a patent, but after ten years he finally succeeded!'

Algra: 'Our father-in-law was also the inventor of the tendon clamp. With this tendon clamp you can lift the hind leg of a cow, which is useful for claw care and treatment of lame cows.

By the way, our father-in-law was also the inventor of the tendon clamp

When you've been in the business for so long, you probably experience a lot of crazy things?
 

Algra: 'That is actually too much to mention. Once I had an owner in my practice whose dog was extremely itchy. When I examined the animal, it turned out that it was full of fleas. When I asked him if he was using any kind of anti-flea treatment, he replied that the dog had been wearing the same flea collar for three years. I told the owner that after such a long time that band doesn't work anymore, to which he said, "But those fleas don't know that, do they? I still have to laugh when I think back to that.'

Lobstein: 'I'll never forget that I had an owner on the line who had just returned from vacation. He indicated that his cat was not quite 'up to date' anymore. I didn't quite understand what he meant and asked him to come to the practice. There it turned out that the animal had been dead for a long time! I will never forget that incident.'

You both still talk enthusiastically about the profession. Would you choose veterinary medicine again in these times?
 

Lobstein: 'I have always enjoyed my profession. I am not only talking about the content, but also about the pleasant contact with colleagues. I laughed so much! I also find the scientific research within veterinary medicine extremely interesting. So I would look for it a bit in the same corner. But I do know one thing: I would never want to study medicine. All those nagging people, that's not for me.

Algra: 'No, that may sound a bit harsh, but all those strict regulations haven't made the profession any more fun for me personally. I attach great value to the relationship I have with the livestock farmers. Because of all the new requirements, a veterinarian is expected to adopt a more businesslike approach. That doesn't suit me very well. So if you ask me now what I want to be when I grow up, I would choose a job with more freedom and time for other things. Bank manager seems like a good fit for me!'

Yet you still have a home practice. There are few veterinarians who are still active at 76. Despite the regulations, is it still difficult to let go of the profession?
 

Algra: 'Well, you know what it is? If you live in a village like this, you know everyone. I have certainly built up a good relationship with the farmers in the area. You may be retired, but people still keep calling you with questions. But I don't work full time! Sometimes I do some odd jobs and then nothing for a while. Now that I think about it, the real problem is that I can't say no. Apparently I like the work anyway. Apparently I still like the work too much.

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