Monday 30 December 2019

A Visit to the Vet

Rachel and I have had a similar sort of day today.   It has not been pleasant.   This morning Tess's walking was so bad that she was struggling not to fall over.   I decided to take her to Open Surgery at 2pm.   The Vet I go to lives about ten miles away so I need to leave half an hour in advance to get there.   When I got there there was a full house.  For me struggling from the car to the surgery with a handbag, a walking stick and a reluctant dog on a lead was not easy - nor was opening the two doors to get in.   Luckily a kind man jumped to his feet and held the doors open for me (that alone brought tears to my eyes so you can tell how worked up I was about the whole thing).

 He gave her a thorough examination and said that she had little muscle around her back thighs and obviously had quite severe arthritis in all four limbs.   He took a few blood samples, tested her kidneys and said they were fine and then sent a couple of samples away for testing.   He has given me some anti inflammatory drugs to give her and told me that for the time being he thinks the two walks a week she does with a group of dogs (several big dogs who obviously go faster than she does) should be suspended for a while until we get this thing under control.   I then drove home again, calling at a Nature Reserve I pass so that she could have a walk on the flat, which she enjoyed.   Not sure I did as by this time it was beginning to be    dusk and I was anxious to get home.   It is at times like this that being alone really hits home - I am ashamed to say that tears were not far away.  Still, onward and upward ...

27 comments:

justjill said...

Oh dear. The vet was fairly positive tho. We have an ailing cat. Aged and lost the plot. So worrying tho. Hang on in there Weave. xxx

Pat said...

Sorry to hear you felt tearful, being on your own makes you feel vulnerable doesn't it. I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Oh poor little Tess, obviously the group dog walking is too much for her, it must have been so painful and tortuous for the poor dog. Perhaps she would be more comfortable just pottering in the garden, I have an old dog who is quite happy to be in the garden and not go on walks, he really prefers getting back in the cosy house. Some people do seem to think a dog needs to be walked daily but my vet said this isn't true and when they're elderly it's not needed, they get sufficient exercise pottering around at home and in the garden.

Sheila said...

I'm 82, and you put me to shame...all the time. Couldn't you just leave Tess in the car momentarily, go to the receptionist and ask that an aid go out to the car and escort her into the surgery? Not worth the risk of a fall, surely. And if Tess is feeling poorly, perhaps she wouldn't mind just going out into the garden to take care of necessities as much as you might think. Plenty of smells out there, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

My elderly JRT is exactly the same. A daily NSAID prescribed by the vet soon perked her up! She even has her appetite back, I expect she had been in pain for some time and was soldiering on for our benefit, keeping up with our younger dog. She is riddled with arthritis but since taking the drugs she is comfortable, rarely limps, and enjoys a short walk again. The ‘sniffing’ takes precedence now! She’s much more ‘cheerful’ too so take heart, I’m sure the vet can improve Tess’s quality of life.
Wanda xx

Anonymous said...

Oh Weave, poor Tess. But you did well to manage a difficult situation and I find there are lots of kind people around most of the time (I haven't been well recently and it's always kindness that finishes me off too). My dog was really poorly with arthritis a while bag and couldn't manage steps at all, so we were lifting him in and out of the house and were really worried. But with medication he has picked up and can manage steps well now and enjoys a walk again. It may just be that Tess has overdone it running with the other dogs. Hang on in there, sending love. cathy

Anonymous said...

Tess should take a leaf out of Winnie’s book. When John is out walking the pack, she’s resting at home with a schooner of Wincarnis and a People’s Friend...
Wanda xx

wherethejourneytakesme said...

I feel for you both - it is hard to see a pet in pain and hard for you to deal with it on your own. As suggested above I expect a trot around the garden will be all she needs until you see if the medication improves things. x

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

I hope the anti inflamation medicine will help her quickly and that Tess will be moving better soon.

Sue said...

If I lived nearby I would so love to help you. I understand how difficult it is to do things on your own - mentally and physically - especially when you're worried about your sweet Tess. I hope the medicine will have Tess feeling better in no time. Reading your blog has helped me to be more cognizant of the way my Mom might be feeling. She is 88 and living on her own. Fortunately I'm retired and she lives only 20 minutes away so I get over to her 4 or 5 days each week. Thank you for sharing. xx Sue

angryparsnip said...

Oh Pat and Tess. Ever since you wrote about Tess and her walking I have been upset. I hope the pills can help her.
I know what it is to do things by yourself and having a hard time. Even with son here I am struggling with the everyday. I am in tears some days not what I imagined for myself at this age at all.
parsnip

Red said...

That's a stressful time all around for everybody. It sounds like your vet has things under control. All the best in this journey.

Mary Ellen said...

Dear Pat -Oh how I feel for both you and Tess - I totally understand the tears having been there myself - I let my dog out in the garden now and he is quite happy - the occasional short walk and lots of love seem to do the trick - the vet makes it sound hopeful so don't despair. You've had a bad day but tomorrow will be much better. Have a cup of tea and a good sleep - thinking of you. Mary Ellen

Cro Magnon said...

I'm very sorry to hear about your woes. I totally understand your emotions when visiting the Vet'. I hope all goes well. x

thelma said...

I hope you are happier this morning, and so is Tess. Poor love, don't make her walk if she doesn't want to, pottering round the garden will keep her happy.

Sue said...

Poor old Tess. Perhaps you need to get her a pushchair like my daughter's dog, Buddy. He loves riding in it.

Heather said...

Poor Tess and poor you. We all get upset when our pets are not well. In her condition, short walks are obviously best so you don't need to feel guilty about not being able to take her for longer ones. I hope the Vet's treatment will soon show signs of improvement. Keep warm, put your feet up and relax.x

the veg artist said...

That was tough on both of you. My sister-in-law has mobility problems and says that the cross-body handbag we bought her one Christmas was one of her best ever presents. It would solve one of your problems at least.

JayCee said...

I do hope that the anti inflammatory medication works. It must be very upsetting for you both. I am sorry that you were feeling so emotional too and hope that as Tess improves you will start to feel less unhappy. My very best wishes to you. x

Librarian said...

Poor dear little Tess, and poor you! I so know what you mean, when the kind gesture of a stranger can bring tears to your eyes because you feel so vulnerable and alone. I hope the medication helps, and Tess will soon be pain free and you won't need to worry about her.

Brenda said...

Happy new year
I live in U S and lve your blog

Carol Caldwell said...

Hopefully Tess will now be feeling better and that will help you to feel better. Wishing you a Happy New Year.

Helensmum said...

I had a "Tess" some years since,a West highland white terrier. She developed thin old girls hips at 12 years old. Given anti inflammatories and a good diet,she lived happily until nearly 18 years.

We lost our jrt recently,a brain tumour. I too live on my own and making decisions,getting to the vet- all hard. Family help but it's down to me.

I've started again,a new cross breed called a Zuchon.( Bichon frise zhizh Zhu cross). Peggy is a lot of work but worth it.
I hope you keep your chin up,

Warm wishes
Ann Marie

Mary said...

Thoughts are with you and sweet Tess along with the hope she will soon feel a lot better with the meds. and can just enjoy short walks and pottering around the house and garden. Be sure to take care of you too dear Pat!
Happy New Year wishes sailing across the pond to you for 2020.
Hugs, Mary

Mary said...

What a difficult day for both of you. The tears are absolutely understandable given the circumstances. Frustration and fear will do that to a person. Wishing you and Tess the best.

Maureen Reynolds said...

I'm so sorry for the pain you and Tess share. Tears are a gift to you - and a reminder of your caring love for Tess and those no longer with you. Love from Maryland.

Bovey Belle said...

BIG (((HUGS))) Pat. Hard to read that Tess is struggling a bit but it sounds like she has been overdoing things with the big dog walks and so it has made her arthritis flare up. I am sure that the painkillers will help her and if you want a big cry, you just have it. I would be the same in your situation.

All the best for 2020.

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