Hi everybody,
I took Cooper to the vet yesterday to get his free check up as a new adoptive
puppy. I've had him as a foster for three months and finally made the adoption
final.
Unfortunately, I got a brand new - just out of school Vet-who wanted to impress
me with all that she learned and how much it cost her.
* Cooper just started the reverse sneezing last week and it happens
only after
he drinks water. The Vet told me it could be collapsed trachea (which would
cost
$160 for an xray that may or may not show it), but that it was most likely
Kennel Cough. Cooper hasn't been around another dog except his brother for
three
months. How could it be kennel cough? My other dog doesn't have it.So she sold
me some Hycodan cough syrup (a controlled substance) and Doxycycline.
* Regarding the long lump he has on his side, her first guess was that
it was
from a shot. But since he's had no injections since July, she ruled that out.
She said to just watch it and if it gets bigger, she'll take a sample -- which
will cost $140.
* Regarding his seizures, she said it could be a kazillion things and
then
listed them all for me in her new clinical vet-eese. Luckily, since I have a
clinical background, I was able to recognize a few of the terms she was
throwing
out. She said we could do an MRI which would cost upwards of $190... Also he
has
an open fontanelle so he could have hydrocephalus. With medication, the goal
would be to have only one seizure per month lasting no more than five minutes.
Well he's already at goal, so we'll do nothing until and unless they get worse.
Questions for you guys (my real vets) are
1) If he has kennel cough (how could he) why doesn't my other dog have it and
should I treat him with the meds too?
2) Should I even give the kennel cough meds at all?
3) Shoud I be worried about his open fontanelle? Wikipedia says that life for
dogs with this condition is "very grim" and short.
He weighs 5.8 and is at a right weight for him. He might be 2 or 3 years old.
Since he was a stray, his history is unknown. Now he's loved, cuddled,
pampered,
fed, and never ever tries to go out the front door.
Thank you for reading my very long email and any advice you can offer.
Carolyn and Cooper and his brother Joe.
________________________________
From: Christy Sylvest <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Fri, November 12, 2010 1:51:21 PM
Subject: RE: [Chihuahuas] Reverse Sneezing
If you are concerned your vet shoud be able to see collapsed trachea with an
xray. Hope its just reverse sneeze.
"Whether or not it is clear to you, the world is unfolding as it should."
-Desiderata Christy Sylvest [email protected]
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