Wednesday, April 4, 2007

It's me, reporting in.

Poked.
Prodded.
Talked about like I wasn't even there.
There's no dignity in a doctor visit anymore. None.

They loaded me in the car and we went to Dr. Bill's office to get my Adequan shot and pick up my X-Rays and Sonogram records. I didn't even have to get out, he came to the car and did it there. Way to serve the Husky, Doc. He knows who butters his bread. Just kidding, Dr. Bill is one of my favorite humans ever and I don't have many.

I went to that special doctor, you would think in a Neurologist office they'd have some sticky non-slipping floor but NO. I guess that was too much to ask. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has came in with walking issues. So we got there and I had to sit on the entry door mat so I wouldn't fall over. That did great things for my ego, let me tell you.

We get in the room and there's like, no air flow at all. Sometimes when I get nervous I have a problem with gas so you can imagine how that went. The first lady came in and did all kinds of weird things to me - while I was lying down she hit my legs with a hammer, shoved a stick up my butt, spread my toes apart, put a light in my eyes, acted like she was hitting my eyes & face and (this is really weird) stuck her writing pen up my nose. What's up with that??? I hope Mom didn't pay much for that because she could have stuck something up my nose for free at home.

They found like a 3' mat for me to stand on, not enough for a hunk of husky like myself but whatever. She made me get up and then she kept turning my feet backwards till I was standing at the top of my paws. That was irritating and stupid. I'm starting to wonder if Texas A&M sells their diplomas on the street corner. She made me walk down the hallway so she could watch my runway walk, but that wasn't really fair to me since it was a slick floor. That chick finally left and we waited for a long time for the "big" lady to come in. I decorated the room with my floral scent while she was gone, I like to think she thought the humans did it when she came in. He he.

So she is in there, she stares at me a lot and asks like 85 questions. She moved my legs around like I was running, except I was lying down. Get this - she stuck HER pen in my nose, both sides. I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure that whatever is up my nose is not the problem with my back legs not working. Duh. I had to stand up again and she twisted my legs all around like I was in Cirque du Soleil. (sometimes they leave that on the TV) Finally she let me lie back down and since I was pretty tired from all this exercise I fell asleep against the wall so I don't know what else was said. I'm sure Mother will give a complete report, I'd be surprised if she didn't snap pictures when my butt was being violated by that stick for the drama effect.

I did hear I'm getting some kind of contraption that the humans have to hold up for me to make walking easier. I see a lot of fun coming out of this turn of events, a LOT.

Adios - Thrawn
PS - That picture of me shows the space she left me on my nice cold tile, barely enough for Suki. Woe is me.

PS Again
Maryann again. Yesterday was long and exhausting. I'm conflicted and more than a bit unhappy with our visit. The neurologist believes Thrawn has a tumor in either his brain or his neck and wants to do an MRI or CT. Now - if he does there's nothing that can be done either way and she says this isn't something that would be causing him pain. She blames his OCD behaviors on this - such as the pacing.


She also believes that the medications are what is causing his backend weakness but the ones she wants him off of are the ones he just started. He's had the weakness for years and it's just gotten progressively worse with age so I am not really buying into this theory.


That said - when Dr. Bill got her report this morning he seemed less than pleased. She had instructed me to take him off the Potassium Bromide cold turkey and at once. This is apparently a no-no and he instructed me to keep him on it as planned. There is nothing in any documentation that would indicate this would interfere with any of his other medications or cause issues with his limbs. Dr. Bill has been working with two liver specialists in Colorado and A&M that feels this is the appropriate action so therefore I will continue to follow it. Thrawn is going in tomorrow to have his follow-up bloodwork for the Potassium Bromide loading dose from the last three weeks.


She instructed me to stop the pain/anti-inflammatory medication because it might be making him "loopy" and making him stumble more, but without it he has pain in his neck and back. (which you might remember from last month or so) They weren't interested in exploring the idea of something being wrong with his spine really. Again, Dr. Bill does not want to follow this because he feels that the pain he's had in his neck and back is controlled by these. Yes, it might make him a bit clumsier but if it's a choice between that and him being in pain then there's no question.


She gave me a list of supplements and dosage. Dr. Bill is fine with a couple on the list but not with my just going out to pick up the remainder at the vitamin shop. Apparently the combo of the three "off the shelf" has some filler ingredients (not regulated by the FDA) that are a big negative for dogs with liver issues. He is ordering a combo supplement that the Vet Association tests regularly for quality and contents and Thrawn will start on those as well as Vitamin E and Omega 3.

The Neurologist wants me to get a sling for his hind end, I think I'll prob end up getting him both the sling and the cart.
UUUGH - Blogger keeps dropping new text in here, will rewrite and post again. :(

11 comments:

Steve, Kat, & Wilbur said...

Wow Thrawn, that sounds utterly embarrassing. Way worse that any of my vet visits. (I have blocked out that one where they stole my man-dog parts.) I hope that it was worth it and that they can figure out what your problem is and make it all better!

Steve

PS. You need to get your mom trained better. She should bring rubber mats with you everywhere you go. RED rubber mats. Then she can roll out the RED (rubber) carpet for you!! HAHAHAHA

Suki & Joey said...

What's with the pen thing? That sounds really strange. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience, Thrawn :(

But I am glad you're feeling a little better! Who knows, maybe it was from the pen? Hehehe

Puggy kisses
Suki

Ferndoggle said...

Thanks for posting an update Thrawn. We've been worried about you. Sounds like Mom's taking very good care of you. As all Mom's should!

Sherman, Penny & Lola

Tadpole said...

How inconsiderate of them! I'm sure 95% of that was unnecessary cadswallop for the sole purpose of humiliating you. You know how vets are... EVIL. Keep your head up, Thrawn!

Anonymous said...

Ok the pen thing is WEIRD!!! I have never had anyone do that to me. I don't even like when mom "cleans my nose". I am glad that you had a better night, handsome Thrawn. I await to see what the human mom says!
BIG hugs to you,
Sitka

Luckie Girl said...

Hiya Thawn,
That woman vet is one strange hooman. You should be glad the visit is over.

Roxie, Sammy, Andy and Shermie said...

Thrawn, if you need help standing, we dachsies will stand under you and hold you up. You are so handsome we are willing to do this.

Roxie, Sammy & Andy

Khady Lynn said...

Maryann,

Have they x-rayed his spine for spondylosis? My hubby's dog Cyrus had spondylosis, and had a lot of the same symptoms you are describing. Also, have you thought about getting a second opinion?

Also, Abby is on Potassium Bromide (KBr) for her siezures. She also takes Dyna-taurine and Dyna-lode as a supplement for her liver (since the KBr has liver side affects.) She has never had any "loopyness" as a side affect of the KBr and she has been on it since she was 3, and she is now 12. You can find the Dyna-taurine and Dyna-lode at www.harlmen.com. It is made here in Omaha, and is highly recommended for supplementation for liver function. AND, they do NOT cause any interactions with other drugs (believe me, I know considering Abby has been on multiple kinds of drugs for several other issues and has never had any problems with interactions and she is also on Rimadyl, which is an anti-inflamatory).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at sibemom3@yahoo.com

Holly's mom - Jan

Dakota said...

Thrawn, I think it's time for a HULA intervention. We could sneak in to that vet's office, steal those pens and replace them with something you would actually want up your nose, like the scent of baby rabbits!

Thinking of you and wishing you many more baby rabbits!

Dakota

Princess Eva and Brice said...

How dare they treat a proud, handsome husky such as yourself like that? Pens in your nose? For what purpose? And they better get some rugs in that office. Stupid vet! Be patient Dot, hopefully very soon things can get back to normal. We know how hard it is when one of the pack is sick. Keep positive thoughts, Maryann. We're all pulling for your Pack. Belly Rubs for All, Tasha & Eva.

Peanut said...

Ah Thrawn that sounds awful. How undignified for a guy like you.
My mom says maybe your mom can find another special doggie doctor she likes better.

National Canine Cancer Foundation