This is a real-time photo of Mambo. He's taking his mid-morning nap. We've been fetching newspapers, gardening and doing other morning chores. Time for a rest. Thankfully, he's been fine, since the scary episode, two weeks ago. Thing is, there's more to tell:
Our vet recommended anesthetizing him for diagnostic purposes, the day after an emergency visit, saying it might be oral cancer causing his mouth discomfort. I was surprised he didn't suggest giving it a day or so, to see if it might be a virus or something less radical. Alarming the humans always makes them more vulnerable. Well, because Big Dog perked up so quickly on the very same evening, we decided to hold off. Meanwhile, we asked for prices for (a) just diagnostics and (b) diagnostics and cleaning teeth. Have you ever noticed there is no price chart in a vet's office? It took three days for the "estimates" to come back to us. $600.00 for (a) and $1,000.00 for (b). Can you imagine what the cost would be without first asking?
When we went in for a re-exam and update of shots, doc said, "The swelling I thought I saw in his mouth does not seem to be there, any longer." Then, he tried to push an extra vaccine on us, telling us he was overdue for a booster. Ahem. We'd never begun this particular regimen.
When we went in for a re-exam and update of shots, doc said, "The swelling I thought I saw in his mouth does not seem to be there, any longer." Then, he tried to push an extra vaccine on us, telling us he was overdue for a booster. Ahem. We'd never begun this particular regimen.
There's more. Niece Vicki called me on Sunday. In conversation, she told me her Yorkie, Nala, was sick two weeks ago. Symptoms: drooling, cough, lethargy, mouth sensitivity, refusal to eat or drink. Identical to Mambo's. Her vet took a less dramatic approach, suggesting that it could be just about anything, including the ingestion of something alien from the outdoors. He suggested watching Little Dog for a couple days. Nala recovered quickly, as did his big cousin. How freaky is that, though? We're separated by well over a hundred miles. Is there some airborne bug attacking canines? Or did each find a slug on which to dine?
I'm not being smug. Just hoping for continued good health for 10-year-old Nala and 7 ½-year-old Mambo. But seriously, what is wrong here? Think we need a new vet?
