Xrays, Ultra Sounds and Medication, Oh My!
Even when I am not feeling up to par, there is no slacking at Doc’s house. “Get up, move around and you’ll feel better.” she said. Sometimes she runs our household like a military operation and since I would probably only have the rank of private at my age, she orders me around until I protest. I’m surprised I haven’t been sent off to the brig. On Saturday that all changed when she got concerned that I was really not feeling well.
There is some information you need to know before I proceed with this story. Over the past few weeks I have not been eating like usual. I was taking longer and someitmes walked away all together. It got worse as time went on. . Sometimes when Doc added something extra like cheese or some chicken broth, I managed to get most of it down, but it took an entire day of Doc coaxing and pleading with me to eat all my kibble. Now if any of you are familiar with the Golden Retriever breed, you know that’s not normal, we usually wolf down our food and then look for more. Last week she started to get worried because I need at least 4 cups a day to grow strong and get the nutrients I need. So Doc did what any good puppy parent would do, she made an appointment to see the veterinarian on Saturday morning. After my exam with Dr.R, he decided to start me on some mediction hoping it was just tummy upset, that would pass as I am on a special diet for my gastrointestinal issues. I did a little better, eating chicken and rice, but not much. Then on Tuesday, after a patient had left the office, I threw up all over the floor. Back to the vets office we went in the afternoon. Now Doc was really getting concerned. After another exam and some xrays to make sure I didn’t have a blockage, I got some new medication for nausea and vomiting and they scheduled an ultra sound with another veterinarian, Dr. B for Thursday to see what may be causing my hunger strike.
It has been almost a year since Doc had to have her dog Grover euthanized, and I may be only a puppy, but I could tell Doc was getting scared. I know from listening to Doc with her patients, that past losses can trigger fear and that is a normal reaction. So I tried to stay by Doc’s side and we comforted each other.
The night before the ultra sound I had to fast after midnight in case they needed to put me to sleep for the proceedure. I didn’t care becuase I wasn’t that hungry anyway. She dropped me off at the vet’s office at 7:30 am and then Doc went to work. Later in the day they came and got me for the ultra sound. Now everyone there was very nice, but when they had me lay on my back, that scared me and I tried to flip back over. But the staff held me very gently and whispered sweet nothingings in my ear until I calmed down so I didn’t have to get anesthetized. They shaved my belly and ran some kind of wand over it while Dr. B talked about what she saw and wrote a lot of things down. When the test was over they called Doc.
After Doc had her consultation with Dr. B about what she saw, the vet Techs came to get me so I could go home. The good news is that i don’t need surgery and now I am on a strict diet with no treats to see what is causing my stomach upset. Today I am doing much better and I have been eating all of my food without hesitation. Doc is relieved and I am getting a lot of attention from everyone when they see my shaved belly. I feel lucky to have Doc, the veterinarian staff, my co-workers and the patients worry about and take care of me. Now that is something to be thankful for.