Vince and I took old Speck to the new vet this morning. All I wanted was some hope and he gave us that.
The front desk lady to us that dachshunds are the vet’s favorite dog. It’s a good thing because old Speck was not on his best behavior. I told them he’s a biter and the vet reached over to pat him on the head and Speck snapped at him. Then the vet held his hand out for Speck to sniff and he snapped at him again so we had to put on the muzzle that Speck hates. By the way, the nail that he pulled off last time he was trying to get the muzzle off . . it’s growing back!
The vet was more concerned about Speck’s heart than he was the nasal issues. We knew Speck had a heart murmur but it has apparently gotten worse. The vet could hear issues on both sides of Speck’s heart. Now . . Speck is on heart meds.
About the nasal issues, the vet put him on prednisone just for a couple of days, and other type antibiotics. They sent home a “specimen collector” so I have to get some of the nasal discharge (sorry . . TMI) and get it back to him next week. Once they get it cultured, they’ll know more about what type of infection he has and how to treat it. The vet is hopeful that since Speck’s issues are when exhaling, it might be more treatable.
I told him that Speck has a problem with throwing up when taking meds so he will not take Prilosec. The vet apparently didn’t realize what a tiger Speck can be . . he wants me to squirt Afrin up his nose twice a day. I am going to lose a hand trying that! I just did it for the first time and any time I get near him, he starts showing his teeth. That little dog needs to look in the mirror and figure out that I’m way bigger than he is! Vince said “What was that noise?” Oh . . just Speck snapping at me and thankfully . . missing!
I look at Rita and think . . this would be so much easier if it was you I was having to do this to . . but it isn’t.
When the vet asked how old Speck is and I told him 16, I don’t think he believed me . . til he saw the cataracts in his eyes and heard his heart. He’s still such a pretty dog. Despite his grumpiness (Speck .. not the vet), we love him and we know that at his age and with the heart problem, each day we have with him is a day we’ll love him and give him extra pats on the head.
Tam McBride says
Wah! I don’t receive any readers’ comments anymore. Wonder why?
Tam
JudyL says
I haven’t changed anything. It could be that some of the WordPress update changed it. I’ll see if I can find anything that has changed.
Tam McBride says
Thanks. I appreciate it. You all are good parents to old Speck. We spent hundreds on our “mature” lady cat this in an effort to extend her life another year…or six months …. Whatever it takes to keep them with us as long as they are it in pain.
Susan says
That’s pretty darned old in dog years. I can tell you really love that dog. I hope the heart meds and antibiotics are less for dogs than people!
Joyce says
Is that pats on the head while reaching from the back so as not to get snapped at? I’ve never had a dog, but I have had lots of cats, and it’s so hard when they get older. The longest-living cat I had I got when I was 15 and he lived to be 18 as an outdoor cat. He lived with my parents after I left home for school and work. My Dad couldn’t ever stand to have him put to sleep either, and he did everything in his power to give him as much time as possible. He was kind the opposite of Speck, though. He got more mellow as he aged. He was never voluntarily a lap kitty until he got really old. Then he would come to sit on my lap and be petted. I still miss him!
Amy (Waunaknit) says
Good luck with the Afrin. Give Speck a little pat on the head from me.
Dottie N. says
Hope the new meds help Speck!
Pat says
Wishing Speck the best. I have a few scars from trying to give meds to the boys. Worth every one to help our four legged kids.
pattilynn9 says
I hope the new meds help Speck…and you don’t get nipped. That rascal boy!
Meant to ask you what comments Dr. Speck made when he met Dog Speck? ahaha!