I can't believe it's almost been a year since I blogged but better late then never! Unfortunately, what I've learned today feels like Déjà vu and has to do with my beloved doggie Gucci a 12 year old minpin who is the centre of mine and my husband's universe. She is considered family and we will do anything to keep her happy, safe and healthy. Our little pup hasn't been feeling well over the last couple of months and I've noticed a few changes in her routine that couldn't be ignored.
We found out late last year that she has early signs of arthritis and cataracts which we are prepared for but lately she has been restless & whiny when trying to go to sleep & she's been wheezy and snotty. I also noticed a couple more growths on her body, one on her back and the other on the left side of her rib. She has also had difficulty eating, has bad breath even after a dental cleaning and she keeps putting her foot in her ear (but I see no sign of anything?) She's been drinking and peeing twice the amount than she used too and she always wants to eat (more than she did on a regular day that is).
She has battled with tumours, cysts and fat deposits all her life and she has beat periodontal disease at the early age of only 3 years old! We've spent a fortune with dental cleanings, biopsies and surgeries, all with the hope that she would get better. So far, she's lived a wonderful life even under these health issues.
Today I decided to take her to the vet for a geriatrics visit (can you imagine?!? they have this for dogs! lol) The vet said the symptoms are so broad that it's difficult to diagnose anything until she goes in for blood/urine analysis because she "looks" great. She doesn't have the classic symptoms of "Cushing's disease" or kidney failure but we don't want to rule anything out. He did notice however, that her left pupil is completely dilated and won't close... he also saw a line that runs across the back of her eye which concerned us both. Unfortunately, I lost my job in January 2013 and $$ is tight so my husband and I are trying to find ways to cutback so we can pay to have her see a dog eye specialist for further diagnosis. Why does it always have to be complicated!!
Also....why is it when you want something urgently done, the animal doctor always ends up going out of town and you are left with despair and stress until they return to give you the results?!? SHEESH! This is the 3rd Vet clinic I've tried and it seems they are all the same!
So me and my little goo-goo finally came home and I gave her some nsaid's to keep her comfortable and we'll wait and see what if anything they find. Then it's off to the eye specialist! I guess a vacation is out of the question this year but she's totally worth it!!
So I'm
sure your asking yourself... What on Earth did I learn today?!? Well........
what I've learned is that pets are not cheap and I kick myself for not buying
that pet insurance when my client way back in 2001 told me so! I never
thought we'd have so many issues with our little dog but clearly that is not
the case. Also, when you make the choice to see a Veterinarian be
prepared for the sticker shock as well as the extra expenses that could come
out from their findings!
I did
learn something from the last time this happened... Should they find something
wrong with our dog, I will first ask them what they think it is and what would
be accomplished if I pay hundreds of dollars to find out exactly what's wrong
with Gucci. Then I'll ask, should it be this or that, what sort of treatment
options do we have and is it even worth pursuing... I don't want to waste
another $500+ to learn absolutely nothing! If its something incurable or
even worse deadly, I want to do whatever it takes to keep her comfortable until
the creator chooses to take her.
Pray for
her that it's something as simple as allergies and she will continue to live a
happy, healthy and long life! :)
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