Chance is FINALLY home!

[Novel]

I'm big on switching vets if I'm not 100% pleased. Do you have a vet in mind, or would it be a choice out of the phone book? If you have already scouted out a vet, I can't imagine that he would be any more stressed than he is already. Just make sure you leave on good terms with the other vet, so that all the records and information are transferred accurately and in a timely manner. Not that I think a vet would purposely be hurtful to a dog, but with them being as busy as they are, you don't want to give them any incentive to be rude to you. I guess I'm saying, play up the angle that they seem to be awfully busy, and this other vet is closer and they would have time to treat other dogs. Something like that.

[clraymond]

Right, I get it. Will they transfer the records themselves on request from new vet or should I get them? I do have a vet in mind. I've only gone in the office though and spoke to the receptionist. I wanted to see what it looked like. They told me I could wait to see one of the doctors, but I had a 2-year-old who had other ideas. So... I ended up leaving. The girls I met were really nice though. I actually talked to them again on the phone today after Chance's problem was noted- asking if I should go there or to the SPCA. I had an old co-worker talking about how much she loved her vet and I remembered her saying she loved her vet, and she lives close to me, so when we found out we were getting Chance I called her and asked where it was and stopped by there. (that was a very long explanation- can you tell I'm ready for bed?) I'll play the morning by ear. Chance was really excited when he saw the woman today- he already knew her.... Anyway, I get what your saying about how to end it there if I do. Thanks again.
Lori

[WingedFoal]

Oh dear, he's at the vet's again!! And I got excited over seeing the title. I hope there's nothing very wrong with him, and by the sounds of it, it doesn't sound toooo serious.... So maybe it is something that will pass quickly. It is better for a vet to observe him, though, just in case. But by the sounds of it, you might be better off switching to somewhere a bit less packed, that way he can get the time and attention from professionals that he deserves, so he can beat this problem without any more delays. I like Novel's way of switching vets. Sounds kind of safe. Lol.

Don't worry, though, I'm sure he'll be back with you in no time, and will have many days to learn more and more what a loving forever family is! It's obvious he already has a more devoted mom than many other dogs, and I'm sure he senses that.

You and Chance will be in my thoughts.

[Novel]

If you can transfer them yourself, it would definitely speed up the process. Just let them know, if you plan to move him, that you will be picking him up along with his records at such and such a time and could they please have them ready. Correspond that time with driving time to the other vet's appointment time so that you can just drive to the other vet and carry the records right in. Make sure you get names and numbers of those that have treated and stayed with him, so that you can hand this info over to the new vet, and make his job easier if he has a question for the other staff.

[clraymond]

Thanks!

[clraymond]

Well, I finally talked to someone today. They are keeping him again, but he is okay. He hasn't had any bleeding. They said the swelling was causing the bleeding and that he needed to stay as calm as possible. They gave him medicine to keep him relaxed as well. She said that the swelling and bruising have gone down considerably. They basically want him to heal just a bit more before they release him. I'm honeslty okay with that because I feel comfortable with the "care" they are giving him- I know the dr and other woman I have been speaking to love him. (even when he was adopted one came over and said how much everyone there is going to miss him! Ya, I know! ) I know here at the house he will just be tempted to play. I went and bought him some more toys today! Hopefully tomorrow.... keep your fingers crossed.

Lori

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Aww, poor guy has just had a heck of a time but it sounds like he is in good hands. This does happen from time to time with neuters.

[clraymond]

Hello again! Well, I got to go pick up the little guy today!
He looks really good! the swelling has gone down so much and the there is only a tad bit of bruising left. So, I think he is on the road to his recovery! (YES!) The vet said he has thin blood, has a medical term, but means thin blood. She said to refrain from having unneeded surgery. (do people give their pets surgery for no reason? I was thrown off by that, but...) He still is a cone head, which he can't stand. Any guess on how long I should leave that thing on? I try to take it off and give him some freedom, but it's so hard to get back on him. He was really hyper today! I guess he's just excited to see mom again! He's doing well though so I'm glad! Thanks for everyone's comments and trying to help me get through it all!

Lori

Oh, and I wanted to add something. While I was at the SPCA picking him up, it only took about 1/2 an hour to complete paper work and pay, they had 1 cat and 2 dogs turned in by their "owners". One was a puppy, 2 months old. That reason was they already had another dog. The other dog was a beautiful german sheppard (BIG) and they just moved from Texas and they got him from an SPCA there. It was sad that in that short time they had 3 animals. I also heard her tell everyone that they are full. Yes, I'm nosey- can't help it. There was also a dog brought in by two crying women that she told someone not to go in that room because it was a very aggressive dog that was being put to sleep.

[WingedFoal]

Yay!! I'm so happy Chance is finally home!!! Now, it's just a matter of keeping him out of more trouble....

Rrrrr..... Doesn't it make you feel mad and helpless when you watch these people bringing animals in, that were NOT strays found on the street? I hope the new homeless animals can find good forever homes. I feel for them.

[clraymond]

Yes, it does make me mad. I could see the frustration with the workers too. I can't imagine how draining that must be- all day long to keep having them come in. Ugh... I just wanted to take them all home, but....

Lori

[Novel]

Lori,
I'm so glad that chance is home!!

On the E-collar (Elizabethan collar, not the training tool) you may have to leave it on till the incision is good and on its way to healing, 6 - 12 days.
Doberkim would be the one to ask. You don't want him pulling out any stitches or cleaning it so much he opens it back up or disrupts the healing process. If you take it off and he doesn't bother his surgery site, you can probably leave it off, but put it back on when he's unsupervised.

Unneeded surgery would be anything that could possibly be dealt with in other ways first.
Perhaps you should PM doberkim, because there is also a blood disease, very uncommon, but does happen, where dogs have insufficient clotting factors, something like a hemophiliac (sp?). I know of a doberman that has this disorder, and she wears a medical ID collar, because a cut on her leg could kill her if not treated immediately. Perhaps she can suggest some tests to see what exactly he has going on, and what precautions you can take for him specifically. If he has a clotting disorder, the excessive bruising and bleeding from the neutering sure would be explained. If he has "thin" blood, perhaps a diet change would be an alternative. Just like human heart patients have to be careful of what they eat, it probably works similar for a dog.

[clraymond]

Thanks so much Novel for all the advice! Goodness! Well, I'm taking her to her "new" regular vet Thursday or Friday so I will go over all his issues to see what's going on. The vet told me thin blood and clotting. Would that make sense to have both?

we had the cone off, but everytime we do- he licks like crazy. After all the prior things, I'm too afraid to chance it. It's so hard for me to have him sit still to get it back on also. I have to wait until my husband is home from work and then we give him a little break from it. I know he is so tired of it. I feel bad that he still has it on, but I honeslty just want to wait until his stitches come out. No chances here! He's adjusting pretty well though.

Thanks again,
Lori

[doberkim]

just a few things -

just to clarify for other people - i dont think she has been going to a "regular" vet office- you are dealing with the vet that works at the SPCA - of COURSE they are overbooked and understaffed! there are too many homeless animals out there, too many animals that need medical care that the owners cannot afford, etc -- those people probably practically SLEEP there working in a shelter is a full time dog, and evidenced by the three turn ins while she was just trying to pick up the dog, they are extremely busy -- and especially in terms of surgeries, weve had angry clients get PO"d when their dogs surgeries arent done by the time we said they would - but emergencies happen, circumstances change, and we need to go with the flow. of course you do not need to continue using the SPCA vet, and can go to your other vet (they should have no problem transferring records) - but i think this has little to do with how a "practice" is run, and much to do with how hard it is to find good shelter technical veterinary staff, that can work for next to nothing (or often nothing), handle heartbreak, and grueling hours above and beyond a typical clinic.


in terms of the problem, just reading the prior posts it sounds like he has some sort of coagulopathy (or a problem with clotting). there are many different clotting disorders, ranging from hemophila, factor disorders, etc. you can do some tests to determine what the actual problem is, but many people dont go much further than that, because knowing there IS a coagulopathy is enough - some purebreds do have genetic diseases (such as the dobe), and you can do simple tests for that.

in terms of the collar - it NEEDS to stay on - you CANNOT have him licking at the site AT ALL. not only can he introduce infection, but any irritation he causes can rip the incision open or loosen a blood clot, and he can start to bleed all over again - even if it isnt frank oozing blood, he can bleed into the skin again and then you are back where you started. unfortunately, he needs to have this collar on 24/7 -- he may not be happy, but he will certainly be healthier!

hope things go well - keep us updated!

[clraymond]

they are extremely busy -- and especially in terms of surgeries, weve had angry clients get PO"d when their dogs surgeries arent done by the time we said they would - but emergencies happen, circumstances change, and we need to go with the flow. of course you do not need to continue using the SPCA vet, and can go to your other vet (they should have no problem transferring records) - but i think this has little to do with how a "practice" is run

I definitley agree that they are overbooked and as you stated, it's aaparant considering the number of walkins. However, I honeslty feel if it's too much on them, then they shouldn't take on all that responsibilty. This SPCA used to not have this "vet" service. The first time it was put off, the surgery, we were fine. I've actually been very patient in dealing with them. My problme is that as I understand the stress they are under, they need to equally realize that they have my pet there. It's frustrating to me when I have medical questions on Chance or his prescriptions, and they can't return a call. To my, that is poor practice. I never was upset because of the waiting (well I was, but only because I wanted him here- not b/c of the "job" that they were doing) If they can't return a call that tells me something medically important for my dog, then they shouldn't say they have that practice. I even sent an email wondering if that would be different and they haven't returned that either. For example- when we adopted Chance they asked if we wanted to start him up on Heartworm medication. He had been tested negative, but with summer and the mosquitos, he needed the treatment. They never gave me what he was on or for that matter told me the type of medication he was on. I know that I paid 25 dollars for something, but no clue as to what. That will be important when he goes to his "regular" vet b/c they will want to know what treatment he is on. I have been trying to find out since I picked him up and no one has answered me. To me, that's bad practice and if they are too busy to tell me that then I think they are way too seriously overworked. And the fact that they gave him sedatives without needing too. No communication.

The collar is... well.. going. I'm used to it now, for the most part, but he still isn't. He took it off twice yesterday, but I was here to catch it. We tried letting it stay off while we are here to watch him, but he still licks it way too much. I definitely do not want to go through anything we already have so... he will have it on at least until thursday or Friday when his stitches come out.

thanks for the reply and all the advice!
Lori

[Novel]

You're doing great Lori. Things will work themselves out and you'll be able to look back on this time as a good learning experience.