The ConneryBeagle Vet Report
Hello, all of Connery’s Twitter and FaceBook friends who came over to read so I’m not limited to short chunks of text! Here we are, with a special “in between regular blog days” quickie vet report for Connery, and one unhappy dogmom.
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This is an update to the update!
I’ve done some research, reconnected with Uncle Vet, and asked some clarifying questions that led us both to the same place…which is a change of plan. Connery is penciled in for a Saturday CT, time as of yet unknown (certain logistics need to be resolved that have nothing to do with us, and that’ll happen tomorrow).
It’s still possible that he’ll end up on Flovent, but of all the potential scenarios, doing the Flovent first is most likely to simply delay treatment and add to the cost.
(You really don’t want to be in my head right now. It’s full of six scenarios with their different potential cost combinations involving three procedural cost factors.)
And THAT is the ConneryBeagle Vet Report, part II!
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from earlier today…
Oh, it’s not all bad. Connery’s home, happy, and eating his missed breakfast. He didn’t get poked or prodded, and doesn’t think it was a bad morning at all.
The Gist of It: We were very happy with New Uncle Vet and with the clinic, and if we had gone here to start with, then we would probably be in a very different place right now.
The Course of Action: Before we do the CT, we’re going to try a month of inhaled Flovent. If there is no structural or foreign object issue, then this might resolve things, with additional monthly costs of $70 or so and initial outlay of $450-ish.
If there’s a structural or other issue, then this might improve things but won’t completely mask them, and we head to the CT with these additional costs already in the ledger.
The Flovent means using a mask, like an anesthesia mask, and giving Connery inhaler treatments 2x/day. It’ll be several days before we get the gear, another 7-10 days before we know if it helps, and a month or so before we know if it resolves things. If it doesn’t, then we go in to the CT scan.
Why Dogmom is Unhappy: Two reasons, really.
Although this is the logistically sound thing to do, my gut says it won’t resolve the situation. The symptoms are now chronic, but they came on too acutely and suddenly, with no previous history at all, for me to think it’s a basic inflammation issue–even though his other medical issues make basic inflammation/histamine response a logical culprit. My gut has been wrong about this dog before, but… Um. Okay, no it hasn’t. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m not wrong now, with nine months of anxiety built up around this situation to muddy my clarity of thinking. Seriously. Head is spinning.
And ultimately this is totally my choice, with no one pushing one way or the other; this is what the vet suggests, but not in any peremptory fashion. He would have moved right on to the CT procedure if I’d said Do It.
Why I’m REALLY unhappy? Because this course of action not only should have been taken six months ago, I *requested it* based on his symptoms. I didn’t even know it was possible, just surmised that it might help and did the research to discover the very vet supply resource from which we’ll now be ordering Connery’s mask. At the time, the suggestion was watered down to a Flonase spray, which we used to no effect and discontinued. But the action of a strong single stream of liquid (especially a sudden and startling one that the dog hates)–vs inhalation therapy…totally different effectiveness. But because of that, and because the first consult didn’t head in this direction, we’re now treading over ground that should have been explored long ago.
If it doesn’t work, we only lose a month. If it does work, then…it works! But another month is too long. And I’m really, really, REALLY not happy that we’ve come so far without trying this therapy already. If we had, he’d either be symptom-free or we’d have known it didn’t work and we would have been moving ahead on that scan.
At this point, I have a call into the vet with one final question that wasn’t answered while we were there (because I didn’t have the information to ask it until I came home and researched the inhalation meds/system), and the final decision actually rests on that question, but I’m guessing it won’t change. [PS per above, I was wrong!]
And THAT is why I’m angry, and frustrated–but Connery is just as fine as he was when we went in. To him, things are simply status quo. For us…the answers are on another cycle of delay, and I’m beyond tearing my hair out.
PS I won’t mention that Belle has been on 3.5 legs since yesterday noon. I’m hoping it’s a stone bruise.
PPS For me to dial back my frustration into a more public face will take a week or so, so um…there it is in its unvarnished glory.
July 21st, 2011 at 13:03
What a frustrating day for you!
July 21st, 2011 at 13:05
OH, so frustrating. I can’t even imagine what you’re feeling now. I hope this turns out to be the right direction and you see quick improvement. Keeping fingers crossed!
July 21st, 2011 at 13:18
It’ll have to be quick, because I have a limited window in which to act before we start missing trials if it goes to a CT scan/rhinoscopy. :/
AURGH! That is all I have to say.
July 21st, 2011 at 13:42
Hellishly frustrating, I agree. Did 1st vet not know of the mask therapy or was too complacent or ignorant of its use? (I would offer you a nerf (TM) bat, but I’m afraid you might use it!! )
Still, if ConneryBeagle isn’t any worse for wear after today’s visit, that is one bright spot in the morass of nasty autoimmune hijinks. We all will continue to send massive Good Thoughts his (and your) way. Sooth your gut with some Pepto Bismol (ick!) and try for positive thoughts — The Mask Will Work! (Hugs!)
July 21st, 2011 at 13:43
Been there, done that–only with a human being. (My Dad.) We’re currently going through the same kind of song and dance routine with the medical profession with my mother in law. Yesterday they were ready to bury her. Today … my, my! She’s better and probably WON”T have to go to a nursing home. But wait–there’s more! Or there will be tomorrow.
There are answers out there and good people who know of what they speak. Finding them can be incredibly difficult. I’m sorry poor Connery (and my mother in law) has to suffer in the meantime.
July 21st, 2011 at 13:57
::Hugs:: It’s all I have.
July 21st, 2011 at 14:07
Please don’t tear out your hair. I know that is just what you want to do. You like this vet so try to stay calm. You may be able to tell before a month is up how it is going. Would love to beat up on that other vet!!!!!
July 21st, 2011 at 14:24
((hugs)) You have every right to be frustrated. Continuing good thoughts from me to thee. And he.
July 21st, 2011 at 14:33
That sucks. Sending more hugs and pats to both of you. Don’t worry about your public face. I can totally understand why you’d be upset and angry and frustrated.
July 21st, 2011 at 15:56
I’m so sorry to hear of the further delay. Hang in there, Doranna. And a hug for ConneryBeagle. (Jacks adds a slurpy kiss; he knows what it’s like to be sick.)
July 21st, 2011 at 16:16
If I remember right, Jack also knows what it’s like to have an assertive and knowledgeable dog mom pushing through to the answers. No wonder you understand!
July 21st, 2011 at 16:17
I have to say I’m relieved to see that it sounds as frustrating as it’s been. Thanks for all that affirmation!
July 21st, 2011 at 17:10
{{hugs}} I’m sorry this has been so frustrating.
July 21st, 2011 at 18:34
So sorry for the frustration.
July 21st, 2011 at 18:39
(((HUGS))) Sorry it’s being so rough on you and Connery, and poor Miss Belle with a sore leg.
July 21st, 2011 at 18:56
I’m pretty sure that Belle has some sort of stone bruise–she’s much worse after resting, and quickly warms out of it. No amount of poking, prodding, or gentle massage has elicited a direct response. A couple of days should tell, I hope. If it’s truly Something, that’s the end of her agility career right there–with her on the verge of retirement, we’re not going to get through a rehab and end up with time on our side…
We’ll see. One thing at a time…as much as possible!
July 22nd, 2011 at 02:40
The trouble is a lot of vets are just nuts and bolts people, we had a similar situation with our Tibetan Terrier, he had a tonsil tumour, he was treated by the top specialist in the UK at Cambridge University, but our local vet couldn´t see any further than the tumour, what ever was wrong with him was the tumour, and didn´t treat him for the side effects of chemo, consequently they were always one or two steps behind in his treatment and he went down hill rapidly. The specialists were brilliant, but local vets leave a lot to be desired.
July 22nd, 2011 at 08:33
Caena sends sniffs and licks and hopes Connery will start feeling lots better, that this new course of action is what helps to resolve things for you both.
Here’s hoping Belle’s ok too!
July 22nd, 2011 at 10:00
Wolf, I’m really hoping it’s a stone bruise for Belle. I’ll see how she is today after I feed…
Michele, I’ve been lucky enough to find several vets who are truly good at being “primary care” clinicians. I moved away from one in Flagstaff–he’s the reason Connery lived past the first critical years when we were trying to figure out his autoimmune stuff. I definitely have one now, a relatively recent connection for which I’m grateful. But I know what you mean. One “substitute” vet in Flagstaff contributed greatly to a very bad episode for Connery by not listening to me, not believing me, and not being able to see him as an individual who might not have read “the book.” She called me neurotic in the process, but you know…it turns out I was right and she really, really wasn’t.
I’m sorry to hear your Tibetan ran afoul of that syndrome. 8(