The Chronicles of Sir Winston Humperdoodle, and Would You Rather Just Not Know?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Last week Winston went in with a pretty serious ear infection in both ears that hadn't been responding to medication.  In fact his ear infections have become quite chronic.  The vet became concerned enough about the situation, and the fact that they never seem to fully resolve, to send off some cultures and warn me that depending on the results, there is a chance Winston's ear canals would have to be removed.  Of course this sent me into fits of panicky chaos wavering from complete dread for poor Winston's sake to wondering how I was going to manage.  Long story short, the results are in and it turns out he can be treated with a special antibiotic and an ear ointment, and re-check next Friday for his ears to make sure it's working.  

While discussing the results with the vet the other day I sort of jokingly gave him crap for scaring the bejeebees out of me.  He asked me if I'd rather have not known the possibility of the results not turning out well, if I'd rather he omitted such info until I absolutely needed to know.  My first instinct was an unequivocal yes.  Lie away.  Why worry when I don't have to? ...But now it's got me thinking.  

If the results had turned out worse, and we had to consider the surgery to remove his middle ear canals, then I guess the more time I had to prepare the better.  Karen sent me some helpful info which I was armed with when I went back in for the results the other day.  I was prepared to discuss the options.  It probably would have been a lot more overwhelming if I had showed up thinking we'd find some medication that would work easy peasy, only to hear that the infection is not responsive to anything and we need to remove Winston's ear canals before it gets worse.  That would have been really hard.  However, on the other hand, I spent a week agonizing and worrying, dreading the worst, when things turned out somewhat ok after all.  We're still not completely out of the woods, but he is responding well and feeling much better so I am hopeful when we recheck his ears on Friday they will come up clean.

All of his recent vet appointments for his allergies, ears, and tummy troubles has set me back well over 1K in vet bills (it is just astonishing how quickly they pile up) but at least things seem a little more manageable... at least until the next Winston-related health crisis...

...Enter the small abscess on his back left paw discovered by groomer a couple days ago.  So now I get to put that 'would you rather not know' question to the test.  Should I research the crap out of abscesses, not knowing anything about them, or even if that's what it actually is, or should I go about my days as if it's no big deal, until I get to see the vet next Friday for his follow up ear swabs.  The vet clinic said it can wait, so I'm just going to ignore it and pretend it's not there until Friday. In the meantime, I'm keeping it clean and dry, and trying very very hard not to worry. 

The good news is, Winston looks pretty darn spiffy after his grooming appointment.  Don't you think? (sorry for the sideways photo!)

Not that he needs to be well coiffed to attract new, err, friends.  Winston does love a good round of the humpty dance. I cannot tell a lie.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Glad that they do indeed have a cure (finally) for Winston's chronic ear infections. Hope the abscess clears up on it's own. Maybe it will due to his spiffy new haircut. As for his humpty dancing friend and Winston, well we all have quirks, and bad ideas once in awhile !  :)

[Martha & Cooper]

Aww,  poor Winston.  Glad they found a medication that would work!   

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hope Winston continues to improve in all regards. I like to know all the facts but sometimes it does cause worrying.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Fantastic news! Thanks for the update. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So happy to hear this! 

[Bonnie and Kona]

What great news! Hooray!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

@Jarka, nope. that darn doggy shower project was a disaster. That's what I get for trying to do it on the cheap.  One day I will  get my basement properly renovated and I can have it professionally built in instead.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Today's appointment went well.  Winston's ears are much improved.  Another week of treatment and we should be all clear.  I'm so happy to soon have this behind us.  :) Thanks for the support!!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

PS. Have they ever finished the doggy shower?

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Good to hear you are safe.

And also relatively good news about Winston. Hoping the new meds work their miracle and that his paw heals as well. I also tend to divert to the worst scenario and worry a lot. But I think I would rather know the truth right away. I had to laugh at your pictures. Monty has the same sit in the car! I swear they could be twins. And I do call him Montgomery Humperdinck since every day after dinner he goes to the  basement and humps his old pillow. Ugh.