Mac's First Vet Appointment. The good and the sad.

[jenn D]

So based on a gut feeling I ended up calling the vet about Mac and they were able to get me in today. She looked at, and rotated his legs and did not think he had any dysplasia. She said she couldn't guarantee that he didn't without xrays but she said he had full range of motion with no resistance or visual discomfort.  She said at this point she didn't think xrays were necessary. So that is the good news.

Now onto the sad part. Fixable but sad. First, he had been licking his bum a lot and his feet when we picked him up. The fur was very red. I thought maybe allergies after posting to you guys. Upon inspection from our vet followed by microscopic analysis for samples, she said that 2 nailbeds on the back right foot and 3 nailbeds on the back left food have bacterial infections. As for his rump, she said his anal glands were so impacted it was one of the worse she had seen (and boy did he smell like that fishey anal glad smell after getting expressed). She said the left gland was bigger than a large grape and was very hard to express. In addition, she did a fecal to check for parasites and worms. I don't know how long that test takes. She did say he also had a bacterial infection around his rectum and showed me clipper cuts made around that area.

Also, she said he has very bad ear infections in both ears. And yes they both smell very yeasty. She said on a scale of 1 to 4 of ear infections (4 being the worst) both ears were a 3.

She said she could not tell me if he has allergies because she said that is not her area of expertise but would refer me to a canine dermatologist if necessary. She wants to see how he is doing after all of the infections clear up first.

Sooo, for the various infections on his body she prescribed an earwash, a topical ear antibiotic, steroids (prednisone) and an oral antibiotic. I need to pick up the later two at my pharmacist in about an hour.

Questions and comments are welcome. I feel bad for Mac. I am also frustrated by the rescue orgs as we paid $400 for a supposedly "vetted" dog looked at by a qualified vet before we got him. While I know they cannot fix hips issues etc and they don't know everything, the fact that they left his anal glads impacted and he had these infections (which granted could have occurred by very aggressive grooming and then sent back to an outdoor kennel) has me a bit frustrated.

Im glad I took him in today. We go back in 2 weeks for recheck.

[Deborah Brown]

I can't answer for the rescue organization.  The good news is that Mac's problems are curable.  When we came home from vacation, Charlie had a staph infection.  Staph is fairly common and I'm sure he developed this because of stress lowering his immune system.  The antibiotics have cleared him up and he is doing great.  He also is susceptible to ear infections and I keep an eye on that too.  Mac might be one of those dogs who you have to watch carefully.  Or he may rebound nicely now that he has a stable home.

I'm glad  you got some answers.

[jenn D]

Thanks Deborah. I guess we will fix the current issues and go from there!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

So glad you are taking such good care of him and I hope he feels better in no time.

[Gail and Bailey]

Hang in there Mac!  You hit the jackpot with your new family!  They will make sure you get all the medical attention you need to feel great!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

So many horrible things that must have had him sore and uncomfortable but so glad they have all been idenitfied and are treatable. I'm thinking that light in his eyes will brighten considerably once he feels better. It's wonderful that you now know what is wrong and that it is all fixable. Wishing you and Mac a very happy future together and so glad he has found such a loving caring  'forever home.'

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Jenn, I'm so glad that what he has is treatable. I hope your boy is smiling after he is through his meds, it sounds like she's on his way! So glad he found his way to you.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Poor boy!  No wonder he didn't seem happy!  I can't imagine how uncomfortable he has been....you're the best mommy!  I agree, he will probably be a different boy once he is feeling better.  So happy you have him, and thankful that you took him in.  I know it seems like a lot of issues, but they are, as you say, all fixable.  Would have been much worse if he had hip dysplasia!  Libby takes Pepcid from time to time, I think that's what you're talking about.  She is 55 pounds and takes 1 75mg tablet a day when her tummy is upset. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Robin, Zantac (ranitidine) is sold in a 75 mg tablet dosage, but Pepcid (famotidine) isn't. I believe Pepcid tablets are only available in 20, 30, or 40 mg. tablets.  

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Ha, I'm confusing my medication with Libby's!  She gets the lowest dose of the Pepcid.  I get the Zantac!  :)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Hope Mac is soon feeling chipper!  He is so fortunate to have you to care for him and I bet he knows, or soon will know, that he is in a loving home and will be a bright and bouncy boy! 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Mac will be feeling better in no time thanks to you! You will have his heart forever because of what you are doing. He will start to feel better and realize its all because of you. And you've given him a safe home he can call his own. You are a treasure! I would love to see some pictures of him if you have time!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

this is actually good news, because, infections can be cured - and usually fairly quickly.  Some meds, some good food, some loving and I'll bet he will be soooooooo much happier.