When daily events would prevent him from updating Chaos Manor, Jerry Pournelle would post “This day eaten by locusts.” My day, by contrast, has been eaten up by caring for one of my dogs.
Yesterday my dog Buddy, a Great Pyrenees, developed some sort of pain that had him keening and yelping. He wouldn’t drink water or go out for walks. Even scratching behind his ears seemed to hurt him, so I thought it might be an infected tooth or something. He just laid down in the living room/library and wouldn’t move more than a foot or two the entire night.
The next morning he seemed very slightly improved, even giving the occasional tail wag, but still didn’t want to move or drink water. So I decided to take him out to the emergency pet ER (my regular vet is closed Sundays) and, much to my surprise, he was able to get up and climb into the car under his own power.
Pro tip: If you have to take your dog to the emergency vet, try not to do it just after noon on a Sunday. The place was slammed. We were checked in quickly but it took over three hours to be seen and diagnosed.
It turned out he just pulled a groin muscle (possibly chasing a squirrel in the backyard), and just needs to take it easy for two weeks and take pain and inflammation meds. He’s already zipping up and down stairs with his usual abandon and has already gulped down a few bowls of water.
And it only cost me $501. But honestly, this is pretty close to the best case scenario, as he’s going to get better with time and rest, no expensive surgeries required.
As I’m still between jobs, consider a contribution to the Pay For Buddy’s Vet Bill Fund.
Tags: Administrative, Buddy, dogs
“[I]t turned out he just pulled a groin muscle (possibly chasing a squirrel in the backyard), and just needs to take it easy for two weeks…”
It worked out well. Even the squirrel can breathe a sigh of relief.
Glad it is a relatively minor injury. My sympathy on the expense. We have been to Iowa State Veterinary College several times. They are open 24-7 and are very good. Yes, they start around $500. Thank goodness I was employed each time.
[…] for everyone who contributed to the Pay For Buddy’s Vet Bill Fund. He’s already doing so much better that you can’t tell he was hurt, though some of that […]