In the last 2 weeks, all three dogs have had their checkups at their respective vets. Bear and Nicoya see one doctor from the city they grew up in–it’s easier as she has all their records from being pups. And Winnie, goes to a vet in the city we live in now. (Interestingly enough, both vets are women and that wasn’t planned.)
Bear and Nicoya had good check ups considering their ages which was stated by the doctor more than twice. Both suffer from chronic arthritis in their hips, common among their breeds (working dogs) and size. Both take daily pain medication. The vet was also impressed with how well they are doing for their ages (15 and 12) and how well they looked. Nicoya is often called out especially by other Siberian Husky owners as not looking his 12 years but much younger. In his lifetime, Nicoya has only been to the vet’s for wellness checkups–no emergency or sick visits! Let’s hope it stays that way.
As for my best friend, Bear, his aging maladies are bit longer to list—he is partially blind and hard of hearing. Sometimes forgets where he is at. He has had 2 “canine strokes” within 6 months of each other, two years ago. That was the start of him walking off-balance and a slight leaning to the left. When I call him, it is with a shout of his name while clapping or tapping my foot to the floor to help him find the direction I am in. He still loves to eat –has never forgotten how to find the kitchen and his food bowl! And he still enjoys his now short walks with uncanny precision of being ready to walk at the same time each day!!
Now Winnie’s visit was a bit different from the other two dogs. I made the appointment because it had been 6 months since her surgery (removal of two malignant mammary glands) and diagnosis for breast cancer. She has the worst of three canine varieties with no hope for survival past 6 months. Well, she has shown no signs of the deteriorating symptoms SO I am hopeful. In fact, her energy has increased, her appetite has always been and is still huge and she is as playful as ever. I’m thankful she is still around because she has been the one to make the two dogs into a real dog pack! This has been her greatest contribution to our home.
But what I did notice about both vet visits and always wondered why it changed from when I visited the vets with my other pets in the past, is why do vets today remove the dog from the room to another room to complete the exam? It is usually the dog’s owner that can calm them or keep them calm if anxious. They are only seeing the doctor twice a year and possibly a doctor’s assistant. I notice this practice after my first two dogs, Wyle and Winnie. They had a wonderful vet and their exams were always done in front of me.
