Today we join Heart Like A Dog and co-host Kristine from Rescued Insanity for Follow-Up Friday.
You know sometimes you post about something and you need an update but it doesn’t warrant a whole blog. Or sometimes someone made a comment that really resonated with you. Yup, Follow-Up Friday baby!
Clearly hubby and I need our heads examined because we took all three dogs to the vet last night. Each of them needed “something” so we decided that it was just easier to get it all over with at one time.
Thunder had a recheck with the orthopedic vet and I am sorry to say that the cast is still on.
The vet did his calculations and he said that Thunder’s cast has been on for the minimum time to benefit from it. He clarified that 5 weeks is the longest he would leave a cast on for this type of injury and if it stayed on for a day or two past that, it was OK. Since the skin under the cast looks really good, Thunder has it for at least another week. The vet also said that Thunder will probably be a bit lame once the cast comes off because the tendons will be stiff and it will take a day or two for them to stretch out.
Storm needed to go to the vet because she was a bit overdue for her immunizations. We held off in case she was pregnant. We were pleasantly surprised with her weight. She looks like she has gained a ton of weight, but her weight on the scale was not too bad. We have cut her food back a bit and with increased activity she should be back to her optimum weight soon.
Once we finished with the ortho vet, we waited for the vet that did Storm’s gum surgery in June. Unfortunately she had a patient that took a turn for the worse so she was dealing with that. Storm likes this vet so we waited. 🙂
Once the vet came in, we spent some time talking about Storm’s risk of pyometra since she had a false pregnancy and has had them in the past. Pyometra is a bacterial infection of the uterus. The vet went over symptoms which she said can be non-specific. Her recommendation was to watch for anything that may seem a little “off” to us. There are specific symptoms but those do not always manifest until the infection is in full swing. You really want to catch this as early as possible because it can lead to death rather quickly.
We also discussed having Storm spayed. It is the only surefire way to prevent pyometra. Our plan was always to have her spayed once her breeding obligation was over. She is five years old so it is time to look ahead to having that done. We discussed different options, including laser vs. traditional. We also discussed timing and whether it mattered where she was in her cycle. The answer was no, except that they do not like to do it while the dog is in season or for a couple of weeks after due to increased blood flow to the area. Another important consideration for us is how long she will be out of commission. Whenever we do it, we have to consider Storm’s training/testing schedule and the all important hunting season. It was an informative discussion.
Storm had a bit of an exam, got her immunizations and then was finished.
Freighter went along because we wanted to weigh him. He has not been weighed since April. He will be 11 months old on Sunday and weighed in at 66.4 lbs. A good weight. The weight range in the Chessie standard is 65 to 80 pounds for a male and I think he will end up somewhere in that range. He may grow a bit taller, but I don’t think it will be much. I don’t think he will be anywhere near as big as his grandfather Thunder.
We also needed the vet to check out Freighter’s leg where his dewclaw was removed. Although it was removed by a vet when he was a wee pup, it seems that it has grown back. It started out as a little hub and now is longer with a “nail” that is growing like a “U”. I put nail in quotes because as I understand it, it may not be an actual nail.
We had both the regular vet and the orthopedic vet looks at it. Both of them agreed that it is probably best to have it removed because there is a good chance it will catch on some brush and rip one day.
There is a bit of a debate about removing dewclaws. But if you speak to vets that have had to repair them, it is not always an easy fix and can cause the dog to be out of commission for a long time while it heals. We agreed the best thing to do is to have it removed before he rips it. We also agreed that the orthopedic vet would do the surgery and decided to wait until January because it is probably the best time for Freighter to have a bit of down time.
After a couple of hours and swapping out dogs, we were finally finished. The best part. I only paid for the immunizations. I really like my vet. 🙂
Have a nice weekend!
How great that you only had to pay for the immunizations after daring to take all three dogs to the vet at the same time. (very brave) Isn’t it a nice feeling to have everything checked out and know where you stand . I find it’s always a weight off. I’m sorry poor Thaunder has got to go one more week with his cast. He looks so depressed in that picture. I can see why you would want to have Storm spayed. This whole pyometra thing sounds so scary!! Freighter weighs almost as much as my Freddie! That’s weird his dew claw grew back, but I can sure see where they would be a hazard in the bush. Have a great weekend! 🙂
The idea was that Thunder would get his cast off and then we would not have to go back for a while. If I knew he would need to go back next week, I would have taken Storm this week and Freighter next week. Oh well. lol
Sorry to hear that Thunder has to leave his cast on for another week but it’s worth it! I’m also sorry to read that Storm’s pregnancy didn’t take:(
We see a lot of dewclaws that were removed as a pup come back, usually only on 1 paw. Your vet sounds awesome! Only paying for vaccines is a major bonus!!!
It has certainly been a year for vets, hasn’t it? So Thunder should have his cast off next week?
I wish I’d known about dew claws when Sampson was a puppy, I would have had them removed when we had him neutered. Delilah’s had already been removed when she came to us. My sister has a dog that tore one of his, it’s very painful.
Has Storm ever had a litter of puppies, or have all her pregnancies been false? Does the false pregnancy increase her risks for pyometra or is it simply because she is older and hasn’t been spayed?
Thanks for participating in FUF, I went ahead and added your link. 🙂
Maybe he gets his cast off next week. But maybe he will have to wait a week after that.
Storm has not had puppies. This was her first time being bred. She has had false pregnancies on and off after her seasons. Not every time, but quite a few. Both age and the false pregnancies add to the risk.
Thanks for adding my link. I did not see the linky earlier….lol.
Wow vet visits sure aren’t simple for you! I’ve read a lot about the dew claw issue, and it can be a tough decision. I think you’re doing the right thing, especially since your dogs are running in wild areas. I’ve read that even indoor dogs can rip their dew claws just by catching them on carpeting, and it’s much worse than having them removed. I didn’t know they could grow back, though!
PS~ I’ve passed an award on to you: http://bit.ly/QuaPFj. 🙂
Thanks for the award. I have quite a few I need to pass on. I was hoping to do some this week, but the week got away from me. 🙂
All the “vet” stuff can make your head swim. Should be spay Ginger and Nueter Gauge. When should we breed Grace. What about training and timing……..
Have a great weekend!….
So true. Have a nice weekend Deb!
First, I am completely impressed that you took them all at once. I can’t even handle just Finn in the vet waiting room. I haven’t heard of laser spaying – I didn’t know it was an option.
We are going to look into the laser method (our vet does not do it). If we end up doing that, I will post about it. In all fairness, there were two of us and they gave us our own room right away.
Wow Guys.
That sure was a busy vet visit – it must be good to get to go with your buddies!!
Sorry the cast isn’t coming off yet…. doh!!
Freighter already weighs more than me, I’m just a skinny 50lbs – though everyone thinks I weigh more, cos of my fur! 🙂
Hope you’re having a fun day 🙂
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
You are right Snoopy, your coat does make you look bigger than 50 lbs. We wonder how much your fur weighs? teehee
I can’t wait until I can spay Phoebe. She gets weird for several weeks during and following seasons, and she has a serious false pregnancy every, single time, which puts her at higher risk for pyometra, apparently.
Yes those false pregnancies do put them at higher risk according to my vet. Are you waiting to breed her?
I’m hoping to finish her. No puppies for me. I do not want that kind of responsibility!
Very good reading this morning! Sorry the cast has to be on another week though. Have a super weekend!
Thanks Gloria. We are hoping for dry weather. 🙂
Storm, you are SO pretty! I had to lose some weight a while back, and the vet suggested that mom decrease my kibble and increase my canned food. It has worked well for me, and I don’t feel deprived!! I’m down to a svelt 90# – but I’m not an athlete like you!!
-Ruby
That is a good idea. I will keep that in mind. Hopefully a few hunting/training sessions will help Storm loose the weight before winter.
WOW what a day! But all in all a good trip. And you can’t beat the price. Have a fabulous weekend.
Blessings,
Goose
Have a good weekend Goose!
Freighter is so leggy, isn’t he? He has grown up so fast, too.
You are definitely brave for taking all three at once, though clearly they get on so well they could handle the challenge with ease. Hopefully that cast will come off by next week and Thunder can resume his former actitivities. He looks so annoyed at having to wear it longer.
Freighter is at that awkward puppy stage. He does look leggy, but once he fills out he will look less so, hopefully.
Poor everyone…thunder, i hope you get cast off soon. storm, i’m sorry your not pregnant and going thru false pregnancy. i went through that with nellie. freighter, that darn dewclaw, best to get off during downtime so doesn’ t caught on anything. have a good weekend gang.
Sorry Thunder got to wait another week. Glad Storm is in good health and can go back to her training/testing that she enjoys and Freighter still doing great. Great visit and only pay for immunizations!! Don’t think we could take both Newfs we wouldn’t all fit in same room and they wood both want all the attention first 😉
Sorry that Thunder’s cast hasn’t come off and that Storm might not get a chance to have pups after all – although her health is definitely more important than pups! The peoples before the peoples I have now removed my declaws too. I never heard of them growing back though. Leah and Meadow have theirs, and have never had an issue, but I guess doing all that hunting, having them catch on something is more of a concern.
Wow! That sounded like a lot, but you only had to pay for immunizations. I need a vet like yours for my two boys. I hope removing Freighters dew claw doesn’t put him out for too long. At least he doesn’t have to do it until after the holidays.
Have a great weekend!
Colby
Looks like all is well in the Chessie household! It’s great that you only needed to pay for the immunizations. 🙂 Lucky doggies! I’m sad to know Thunder still has his cast on- BUT judging from the autographs, looks like he is getting famous!
That was a busy vet visit 🙂 Sounds like over all things went well for all.
I’ve read some articles on not removing dew claws but I still like to have them removed on newborn pups verses one possibly getting ripped as an adult.
agh hit reply to soon…I agree with you about having them removed. So is it a bit of cartilage or something if it’s not a nail?
You might have a heckuva vet bill, but it’s nice to get it all done in one visit.
Sounds like you have a great, well informed vet!
All that time spent on your pups and only paying for the immunizations? Wish I could find a vet as nice. They’re all so greedy around these parts. =/
I’m glad to hear all your pups are doing well.