Sunday 22 July 2012

Tommy's Tale of Woe!


Tom: Hello everyone, Brave Tommy (that's what #1 is calling me!) here. I know that today is snuggle day but everyone said I should have the post so I could tell you my terrible tale of woe.



Yesterday afternoon, I went shopping with #1 and she was surprised when I refused a treat on her return to the car. Then when we got home, she noticed I was walking really funny. The front legs were straight but the back ones were totally sideways. And I just didn't have my usual levels of energy. She called Dr. C who thought I may have ingested something I shouldn't have and suggested some liquid paraffin. We didn't have any but knew that Ms. S would have some at Percheron Central. Ms. S took one look at me and produced a thermometre (#1 finds it impossible to take my temperature as I wriggle so much). One held me whilst the other poked and the result was 40.2C (104F), a pretty high fever. They both also noticed that my sheath and, ahem, "privates" were looking swollen. #1 immediately called Dr. C back and she said to bring me in. It was 7:45pm by the time we got there, well outside standard consulting hours (Thanks, Dr. C!).

For the sake of all boy dogs and boy readers, I shall spare you the detailed details, but suffice to say that there were a series of spiky grain seeds that had travelled all the way up my sheath and embedded themselves in the most sensitive part right at the top of my privates. No wonder I was walking funny. #1 says it's incredibly painful when she gets one of those things in her shoes! Since Dr. C was alone, #1 had to assist when she put me under and then had to go "digging" all the way up to the top... It was quite the experience, she says.

Anyway, that wasn't all. When I had a blood test, it showed that my platelet count was down and my temperature had risen to 41.4C (106.5F), which Dr. C said would not have been the result of the spikelets. So, she thinks I also was gotten at by a tick and suspects either Lyme Disease or Piroplasmosis. Since it takes time to get results back on either and they are not always reliable, I got the treatment for Piroplasmosis and am now on an 8-10 day course of antibiotics that should treat both any Lyme and the  remaining infection on my sheath.

Questions have also arisen about my diet and I may be switched to a higher protein food (the protein count on what I eat now is 26%). In the interim, I have been put on a wet food only diet for a few days (roast chicken, here I come!).

#1 says I was incredibly good and brave at Dr. C's. She did put me under for the more invasive procedure but I was good as gold when she was prodding and poking before that. When I got home, it was after 10pm and #1 cooked me up a burger with rice in chicken consommé which I wolfed down. I got a yummy meal again this morning, and she says I am walking almost straight now! And when we went over to Percheron Central this morning so Ms. S could take my temperature again, it was a perfectly normal 38.6C (101.5F). Woo Hoo! I am back to trotting around the property and wanting to play with my ball and look after my kitties!

Here is a photo of me this morning:


By the way, Dr. C says she has never had another dog with the spikelet problem (this is the second time it has happened to me. The last time was 4 years ago, when I was still a pup). So, I am not just brave but also unique!

26 comments:

  1. Oh, bless you heart, honey! At least you're already feeling better! What a trooper!

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  2. So glad things are going better! LSB n WNC

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  3. Sorry Tommy boy, us mancats only managed to read half of it as we had to shrink away. Ouchie!!!!!!!! You are one brave dog. Blimey O Riley. Maybe you gotta be careful where you go running. Or you need some protection there! Thank goodness help was on hand, and we thinks your #1 must have some sort of official recognition for her assisting abilities.
    We hope there's loads of roast chicken for you now. You more than deserve it. And of course so does everyone else in the household who has supported you, just by being there!

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  4. You got rocks in your privates? Oh the horror! I hope you feel better soon.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

    P.S. From Mango Momma - I have worried about Mango's privates getting gravel stuck to them sometimes when he is on display in the dirt. Ish.

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  5. That sounds painful. We hope everything will be okay very soon.

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  6. Everybody here says Owwwwwww Poor Tommy. Get well soon

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  7. oh Tommy - that sounds horrible. we are glad you are feeling better and hope that nothing serious shows up on your report card

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  8. Thank goodness #1 realized what was wrong...now you can have lots of treats
    Benny & Lily

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  9. Oh Tommy, you are a brave, unique boy! Hugs and purrs to you!

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  10. You've had an awful time Tommy! We're glad #1 got you help right away, and even assisted! Our mom probably would have fainted.

    Glad to hear you are feeling better.

    Mindy
    Moe
    Cookie
    Mike

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  11. Oh Tommy, that sounds very terrible! What a brave and good boy you are. So glad you are feeling better now. I am purring for you!

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  12. Poor Tommy! We are so glad that your are feeling better already. Ambrose hopes that nothing like that ever happens to him. We know this is very painful because many years ago my sister Selkie got a seed stuck in her gums at the back of her mouth and got a huge infection and couldn't eat. Can't imagine what it would be like in the privates. Hate those ticks too. Enjoy all the special food.

    Your friends,
    Niamh & Ambrose

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  13. Poor baby Tommy. Sticker things on your dodad ... EGads!!!

    Mom feeds our 2 dogs poached chicken thighs, with small amounts of fresh garlic & brown rice made with real chicken broth. She found the dogs like this better than commercial dog food and it's cheaper. I myself have sniffed this chicken-n-rice stuff she makes - no thanks! Bring on the crunchies.

    Great to see a pic of a happy Tommy!

    xxoo
    Daisy Jiji girly

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  14. AI YI YI!!! Us boys are walking around in pain just READING about your terrible awful no good tale of woe, Tommy.

    No Mommy, we do NOT think Tommy needs unnerpants!

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  15. Wow, Tom, what an ordeal! I am happy to see you are better - paws crossed that the infection is gone fast! Purrs coming your way from here in California.

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  16. Mom is crossing her legs as she reads this and we are all cringing at the thought of such pain and discomfort. Once again, you are so lucky to have such an alert #1 to notice the problem so quickly. Glad to hear the good report today. No more spikey things now.

    Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  17. Oh my! That sounds painful. And I'm a girl cat!

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  18. We are SOOOOO furry relieved to see this update!

    We were khoncerned when woo pawed us about your tribulations!

    Of khourse, I do think this khalls fur more khoddling by #1 - just to make sure woo rekhover khompletely!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  19. I had it once my boy... It was a very long time ago when I was your age. My advice if it happens again and you are again assaulted in that terrible way is to lie back and think of England (you are an English Springer after all).

    So keep it up Woof Woof!

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  20. Yikes!!!!! Poor Tom :(
    We are so happy you were able to be treated so quickly and are feeling better!! We purr your new diet helps you out too!!Um, stay out of the tall grass!! That's where the ticks live ;)
    Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
    Tiger,Treasure,JJ and Julie

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  21. OUCH! That sounds super painful. Those darn ticks. They are some awful little bugs. I hope you feel better soon.

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  22. Poor Tommy! Number 1, you are one brave lady to help the vet out. What a great vet you have, so lucky! Glad that Tommy is on the mend, and thanks for the great Sei centered post yesterday!!

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  23. Owwww, just reading about your, ahem, issue, makes us feel hurty.

    Glad Dr C could treat you quickly and that you are walking OK again.

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  24. Oh Tommy! Me and my hairy slobbery sisters think yous is the bravest! Kozmo shuddered and covered his ears when we was reading the part about where the spiklets were! That is a awful experience! We is so happy yous is recovering.
    We sends yous healing purrs and kisses
    Nellie, Kozmo and the the hairy slobbery sisters, Bob and Sam

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