Pal-O-Mine
New member
I'm trying not to loose my faith in the human race. But its very difficult especially after last Wed.
Last Wed. a client came into the animal hospital where I work with a dog affected by ADR. ( ain't doing right ) They said he started picking at his food-----3 weeks ago. He wasn't a house dog. He was the kind of dog that spends his entire life tied to a dog house. He's never been to a vet so no vaccine history, no heartworm control, no flea control, no worming. They said he was around 6-7 years old. He was skin and bones with a bloated belly. His body condition was grade 1. He looked like one of those extreme cases of neglect you see on "Animal Cops" on Animal Planet.
His name was Louie.
The bloodwork prooved borderline kidney disease. The fecal test said he was infested with hookworms. We were amazed to find out that he didn't have heartworms or lyme disease. The owner didn't want to treat so they surrendered the dog to us. We should have put him to sleep.
They said goodbye to him on the floor and left. Dr. P, several vet techs and I were left staring at this pathetic looking creature that was looking at us with big eyes. My co-worker offered him a cookie. He took it and wagged his tail at us. No one in that room had the heart to euthanize him.
So Louie is still in the land of the living. He's been eating anything we give him and wagging his tail at anyone who speaks to him. He's on fluids daily so it takes two people to walk him, one to hold the leash and coax him along ( he has no idea about leash training! ) and another to hold the I.V. bag. And, of course, he's been wormed. He seems more cheerful if puzzled as to why he's receiving all this attention. His dog to human socialization skills are almost non-existent.
We ran more blood tests and did ex-rays today to find out why his belly is so bloated. We tapped his abdomen and drained off A LOT of fluid. We also found stones inside from the ex-rays and I'm NOT talking bladder stones!
But we also think he may have a tumor on his liver. So the question is now, how far do we go with a dog with lots of expensive medical bills since the hospital is footing the bill?
I'm not asking for money here. I'm just venting over the situation. I want to see a medical miracle take place but I'm doubtful that may happen. I look into his eyes and I want to make it all better by tomorrow.
And I wonder how people can do this to their animal?!
Devon
Last Wed. a client came into the animal hospital where I work with a dog affected by ADR. ( ain't doing right ) They said he started picking at his food-----3 weeks ago. He wasn't a house dog. He was the kind of dog that spends his entire life tied to a dog house. He's never been to a vet so no vaccine history, no heartworm control, no flea control, no worming. They said he was around 6-7 years old. He was skin and bones with a bloated belly. His body condition was grade 1. He looked like one of those extreme cases of neglect you see on "Animal Cops" on Animal Planet.
His name was Louie.
The bloodwork prooved borderline kidney disease. The fecal test said he was infested with hookworms. We were amazed to find out that he didn't have heartworms or lyme disease. The owner didn't want to treat so they surrendered the dog to us. We should have put him to sleep.
They said goodbye to him on the floor and left. Dr. P, several vet techs and I were left staring at this pathetic looking creature that was looking at us with big eyes. My co-worker offered him a cookie. He took it and wagged his tail at us. No one in that room had the heart to euthanize him.
So Louie is still in the land of the living. He's been eating anything we give him and wagging his tail at anyone who speaks to him. He's on fluids daily so it takes two people to walk him, one to hold the leash and coax him along ( he has no idea about leash training! ) and another to hold the I.V. bag. And, of course, he's been wormed. He seems more cheerful if puzzled as to why he's receiving all this attention. His dog to human socialization skills are almost non-existent.
We ran more blood tests and did ex-rays today to find out why his belly is so bloated. We tapped his abdomen and drained off A LOT of fluid. We also found stones inside from the ex-rays and I'm NOT talking bladder stones!
But we also think he may have a tumor on his liver. So the question is now, how far do we go with a dog with lots of expensive medical bills since the hospital is footing the bill?
I'm not asking for money here. I'm just venting over the situation. I want to see a medical miracle take place but I'm doubtful that may happen. I look into his eyes and I want to make it all better by tomorrow.
And I wonder how people can do this to their animal?!
Devon
