Veterinary Woes

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Figure 8's, a path to test
Which one of us runs the best
              UNTIL
A hole, a twist, or a tree
Stands between that fun and me
   

Within the last year, my two furry children have decidedly made my life more challenging as well as costly.  Last October, I wrote about Emma who developed a genetic cataract in her right eye.  This prompted taking her first to our vet and then to a veterinary ophthalmologist an hour and a half away from our home.  Remember we live in a rural area of Virginia, and everything is an hour and a half away.  What followed was an expensive cataract operation, medication and treatment.  We still transport her periodically to the specialist for checkups, and eyedrops remain on her daily schedule. 

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In addition, Kiowa recently presented us with his own medical issue.  I guess he didn’t want to be left out.  One day as usual, both grey kids were let out in the backyard to do their stuff.  Instead of concentrating on business, they began running around like maniacs.  (Who with a greyhound doesn’t understand this phenomenon.) Half way into it, Kiowa exploded with a blood-curdling scream.  Not a little cry, you understand, but a loud wrenching howl.  Back inside, I gave him a pain med and iced his leg.  (This boy is such a baby that I never know if the injury is really serious        or not.)  

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The next day, Kiowa’s leg ballooned. Visiting my local vet, they x-rayed his leg and prescribed anti-inflammatory medication.  The x-rays being inconclusive, I kept him quiet and gave him his medication.  The next week after the swelling went down, he was still hopping around so another appointment at the vet became necessary.   At his visit, the doctor discovered a definite problem.  The part of his rear back leg (known as the hock or metatarsal) showed a break in the bone which correlates to the top of a human foot.  The next step (so to speak) brought us face to face with a veterinary orthopedist (an hour and 45 minutes away) who recommended surgery. 

Why am I here?

Kiowa tends toward the art of the accident.  The last time he hurt himself, he ran into a tree in the backyard at night.  Why he was running around (yep, again) at that time in the evening still has me baffled.  He issued a wretched screech, and when brought in, had blood oozing from his nose.  Again, with the ice.  I iced his nose and cleaned the other wound on his forehead.  Of course, it was Sunday and at night, but luckily, my vet was on-call.  His last comment after our conversation was, “So much for him being a sighthound.”

  

I WANT OUT!

Now back to the present story.  Kiowa’s surgery, scheduled for the following week, brought new experiences to our lives.  He needed to be at the hospital between 8 and 8:30 the morning of surgery and needed to be picked up the following day.  We decided to stay overnight so picking him up would be easier.  On the day of surgery, the dogs, my husband and I left the house around 6:15 in the morning.  We dropped him off and were told that they would call us upon prepping him for surgery.  They finally called at 2:30, but he didn’t get into surgery until 4.  Here I thought that he would be in surgery early since he was there at 8 am!  (I know I like a doctor to be well rested before doing a procedure on me.) Oh, well, the best laid plans… 

Emma seems confused

Surgery went well, and we picked him up the next day accompanied by two pages of post-op care.  OMG!  After reading them, my blood pressure must have escalated.  I’m a pretty good nurse for my animals, but all the directions made me extremely nervous.  He had to be activity restricted for eight weeks, cold compresses the first week, warm compresses the second week, and three medications twice daily.  In addition to all of that, we still had to get him home without an injury to the affected leg.  I sat in the back seat the entire way home continuously reminding him to lie down.  It was not a pleasant trip.  

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Two weeks have passed since surgery, and Kiowa is recuperating well.   The veterinary orthopedist had to place a plate and screws into his leg to stabilize it.  The incision is very clean although quite long, and he recently got his sutures removed.  He placed his injured foot down very soon after surgery, and so far, there is no limp when he walks. Except for the time spent in his crate, he seems happy.        

Needless to say, I have spent a ton of money on my babies this year.  Our previous dogs have never suffered these types of expensive ailments or injuries so I guess these two are making up for the others.  The question of buying animal health insurance comes up when things like this occur.  If these two dogs continue to follow their existing paths, I guess I will have to consider the option.

Sleepy time, but still confused

I love my dogs, and I want the best possible care for them.  I guess saying that, these unexpected costs are just part of their package.  After all, the love and laughter they give to us comes without any strings.  Maybe in my next life, my career choice should reflect my love of pets and my pocketbook, like maybe, I should become a veterinarian.