Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Update on Katie

Thought I'd better post an update after Katie's vet appointment this morning. I was SO glad we went. Here's the vet info:

Sierra Veterinary Services
1607 N. Date
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, 87901
(575) 894-6773

We saw Dr. Cristina Danks, DVM

She might have been the best vet I've ever taken a pet to.  She did a thorough exam of Katie's hips and legs, and the seroma on her right rear leg; she answered all my question about giving her Glucosamine, which food is best, can I give her baby aspirin (No, bad for dogs).  She was so patient and thorough, and explained everything.  Here's the deal:

Katie's issue is her LEFT rear leg, not the right one with the seroma (which is back to normal size today).  She agreed that the seroma was caused by the red ant nest, that sounded reasonable, and also that nothing should be done now.  She said Katie is having considerable pain in her left hip due to arthritis, and that's why she won't or can't jump.  I had no idea it was on that side.  Good to know.

She said to keep giving her the Glusomaine we've been using and put her back on the Royal Canine for Chihuahuas.  I have switched her food twice in the last month or so, trying to find something she likes more and Katie has gained weight.  Dr. Danks said she's done research on the different dog foods, what they contain, and if it's a "complete" food.  She's read the studies on how the dog's bodies "use" the food.  Apparently some of the good manufacturers do very complete studies and Royal Canin is one that has all the studies. She said its the one she recommends, although they don't sell it in their waiting room "store."

And here's the "poop scoop."  On Royal Canin, Katie eats much less and poops once a day.  On Kibbles and Bits, she eats more and poops 3 times a day.  Next I tried Sojos Turkey Complete Dog Food (freeze dried, raw) and she's been eating MUCH more and pooping 4 or 5 times a day.  (I feed the recommended amount for a dog her size.) The vet said she's not getting enough from those foods if she's pooping that much, yet she's still gaining weight that she doesn't need. 

Then she prescribed an an anti-inflammatory, Carprofen caplets.  She said Katie would be feeling much better in 2 to 4 days, and would again be jumping, and I'd be able to liift her up into the overhead bed again without hurting her.

She took some blood and ran a Chem 10 Panel to make sure Katie's organs would be able to handle the anti-inflammatory, and it came out really well.  We have a 60 day supply, and she put 5 refills on the Rx, which I'll be able to order on-line.  She said Katie will take them for the rest of her life.

When they took Katie back to draw the blood, I was SO RELIEVED and so happy we went in this morning.  And very grateful to have found such a good, caring vet here in Elephant Butte.  (Thanks Annie!  Annie recommended Sierra Vet Services.)

When they brought her out, Katie was full of beans, so happy to be done.  AND they trimmed her nails, too, free of charge!

This post is again longer than I planned, but I like to document things on the blog, it's so easy to use the search feature when I want to go back and find something.  Hopefully no more Canine Issues!

We've moved to another campground for six days and plan to return to Elephant Butte for another 14-day stay.

I was so sure Katie would need lots of medical care for her leg, and maybe lots of $$$, but we were lucky. It'll be nice to have Katie back to normal again.  She's such a good girl!   :)

30 comments:

  1. Congratulations on finding excellent vet care. Bigger congratulations on Katie's medical event.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you found such a nice and thorough vet. Also glad that little Katie will soon be feeling better. I wonder if that anti-inflammatory works for humans....I could use it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I bet you are relieved !!!! I know how worried I would be, that's for sure. Great news...in a couple days she should be close to her old self...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really feel bad when a dog is not well. We have three Shih Tzu pups, and they are loved like they are our children. My wife even cooks for them. They seem to be very healthy and happy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So glad you received good care for Katie and have a plan that should help her feel much better. I was very surprised to hear that about baby aspirin though as it was recommended by a vet when one of our older dachsies was having inflammation issues.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Colleen, I also had a vet tell me to give her baby aspirin in the past. But this vet is the second one telling me not to use it. She said it causes intestinal issues, possible bleeding issues. :(

      Delete
  6. Well what a relief for you. Buddy hasn't had any arthritis yet (that I can tell) but I'm glad to know the ins and outs of what treatment he may need. Also interested in the dog food. He is not a very particular chihuahua but I may try the food you listed just to keep him as healthy as possible. Glad the update on Katie was so good.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so happy you got the answers for our little girl Katie. We all love her and don't want her in pain. Don't you just love it when you find a vet that is so thorough and willing to listen and explain. Scooter is on her heart medications for the rest of her life but she's so used to the medication now, there's no problem with her taking it. Thank goodness. Give that Katie girl a big kiss from our girls.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's the same veterinary clinic we used with one of our older cats back in 2011. He had his teeth cleaned and a couple pulled, and it was surprisingly inexpensive compared to some estimates we got at other places. We were very pleased with them.
    Hope the medicine has Katie jumping around again soon! She is such a sweetie!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Katie and you came out of that pretty well. It is always wonderful when you can find a vet, (or a doctor for yourself) that you can trust. The best vet I ever went to is back in Black Mountain, CA. I've always found that when you find a really good and nutritious dog food, the food is used by their bodies more efficiently and there is less waste coming out. Good luck to Katie!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good for Katie!!! I know you are so relieved!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the update. So happy to hear this.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So glad to hear the good news about Katie. I can't bear the thought of a dog suffering. Good to know about Royal Canin.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy to hear Katie is going to get some relief! Unfortunately we all deal with arthritis even our fur babies. Thanks for posting the update.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so glad you found an easy answer for Katie's problem I must have missed this cuz I did not no she was having problems sometimes when I'm traveling and I miss a lot I try to keep up but I get too tired anyway as far as the buggy goes the stroller I didn't and wouldn't give two hoots what people thought Maggie loved her buggy in that day she passed she got her last ride in her beloved buggy at 6 o'clock in the morning to visit her friends & she was happy riding in her buggy even as sick as she was... if katie is many rides as you can

    ReplyDelete
  15. That's great news for both of you. Our dog Willow likes to sleep up in the loft with my husband. I bet you missed her up there.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Good news , thanks for sharing http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog-food-index-a.html is a comprehesive rating list of dog food. You will see Royal Canine ranks very low.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Glad to hear Katie got a good doctor and treatment plan. Good to hear the vet likes Royal Canin. Our kitty Baxter has always eaten that brand and I assume the cat food is as good as the dog food. We sometimes have to order it online here in Ga or in the Keys, but its not mush more expensive since the shipping offsets the sales tax.

    ReplyDelete
  18. So, aspirin is bad for dogs in the same way it can be bad for people, it sounds like. Glad Katie can start bouncing again.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hooray for Katie getting betterer and betterer! Love the oddball birdies! ;->

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

    ReplyDelete
  20. Glad things are looking up for Katie! She's such a cutie. We were in Canada last week on a road trip and saw so many Sunseeker motor homes. I think maybe they rent them out in Quebec. I thought of you often.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Glad to hear Katie's gonna be alright! We always worry about our furry kids. Speaking of which I haven't heard a sound from mine in awhile. Thats never good.

    ReplyDelete
  22. What great news, Barbara! It's such a relief finding a good vet. I'm glad there other options for Katie--you'll both be so happy when she's feeling better.

    Our dog Ari has arthritis in her elbow & needs a different med--she's been limping a lot. It's great knowing about other options!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Both myself and Chica are very happy that Katie is doing better. After reading about your success with Royal Canin I decided to give it a try on Chica. She always pooped twice a day. After eating Royal Canin for a while she is now on a one poop schedule. HOORAH!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Catching up on news. Wow, you got a great vet!!! So happy for both of you. Huge sigh. Xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments - we LOVE them!