When To Call The Vet.....

[Carol and Banjo]

When my kids were little I was one of THOSE Mom's who picked up the phone to call the Dr for every little thing.....sigh.....what can I say...they were my babies!!!

Banjo is just not himself today.   In a very subtle way though.   He isn't his usual playful, nutty self.  He's kind of quiet, laid back and low energy....with a runny nose...and outside in the cold air he keeps making funny "huff's" through his nose sounds.  Like he's snorting out air.    That's it.   He seems to be eating and drinking normally and eliminating just fine.  I can't tell if he has a temp or not......how do you know???

Soooooo.....instead of rushing to the vet's, I called just  see if the office will be open tomorrow (Banjo's Birthday!!!!! WOO HOO!!!).  They will be in the office til 3....so I guess we'll see how the little guy is feeling tomorrow.   I do worry!!!   Isn't it always right before a weekend or holiday that they get sick???    Fingers are crossed that we won't have to make a visit to the vet's office! 

 

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

I am paranoid.  I lost my 6 year old Shar Pei, on a Christmas day, of Parvo. (She had just gotten her shots on Nove 17)
She was asymptomatic until ChristmasEve when she got explosive diarreahea (sp?)

She seemed a LITTLE lethargic before Christmas, but I didn't worry.  I wish I had.

Call the vet.  It is better to be safe.

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

We are worryworts too. We took Snickers to the vet all the time
his first year.   Finally the vet said that the rule of thumb is...
Is he drinking, eating, eliminating, not throwing up? If the answer is yes then you don't need to come
in right away. If he still isn't himself after 5 days then call. This has greatly reduced our vet visits. 

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks Robyn,  That sounds like good advice.    I'll be keeping my eye on Banjo.  And crossing my fingers!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is exactly what I do - great advice!

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Gail....I'm so sorry!!!   How sad to lose your beloved pet on Christmas of all days.

[F, Calla & Luca]

As a very small consolation, it may well not have made a difference if you had gotten her to the vet since it is often a lethal illness.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was the same way with my kids, Carol, and I'm the same way with my dogs. I've never been sorry that I ran to the pediatrician or the vet, if only to get the peace of mind that there wasn't anything wrong, and I have had some moments of deep guilt and regret on those few occasions when I didn't. And yes, it always happens on a weekend or holiday, lol!

We're blessed with mother's intuition for a reason, and I do believe that extends to our dogs, and to all living beings who are in our care. Any time I think something just isn't right, turns out that something just isn't right.

I hope Banjo is just having a "down" day and perks up soon! We want him healthy and happy for his birthday!!!

[Adina P]

Clark is the non-worrier and I'm the worrier and I have always been wrong.  So no 'mother's intuition' about sick babies or dogs here :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Father's intuition is just as good; it's just a lot rarer!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm a huge worrier too.  The only way to know accurately if he has a temp is to take it rectally.  You can just use a "human rectal thermometer".  I had to take Murph's temp every few hours when he had the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  He actually got used to it.  Just be sure to lubricate, and have someone just sit and calmly talk to him while you do it.  I so hope that it's nothing, and that he wakes up on his birthday feeling GREAT.  Keep us posted.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hey, what is a dog's normal temperature?  They don't have the same as a human as I recall.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

101 is average for a healthy dog, but "normal" is 99-102.5.