Neurology is for the dogs

Hello Chickens

Yes, I’m one of those people that takes their dog to the neurologist. On the bright side, I have pet insurance. We use Trupanion.  I have a $400 deductible. I pay about $47/month, which includes about $4.99 a month to cover off peripherals, such as acupuncture, chiropractic and physiotherapy. One I reach my deductible, the insurance pays 90%. I am almost at my deductible. I knew that based on my past history with my beloved little hamster Gizzy, that I would spare no expense when I got a dog. So, I had Sage insured within about 3 days of getting her. And thank goodness I did, because now we are needing it.

Dragging my feet

We have only had Sage since September of 2016. AbDraout a month or two after we got her, we noticed that the fur and claws on her right foot were worn. Originally, I thought that the groomers had messed up. But when I asked them about it, they said, it looks like she might be dragging her foot. So, off to the vet we go.

Treatment Options

We started out with chiropractic. we did 3 treatments, but no improvement. Then I tried acupuncture, with no results either. In fact, I thought that it was getting worse. You can tell how much her foot is flipping under by how far up her foot it gets dirty. It doesn’t seem to affect her at all. And she prances so fast, that you can’t really see it. But, I’m a bit worried that it could get worse. So, next step is off to the neurologist we go.

Travel Time

Unfortunately for us, the neurologist is in Vancouver. For those of you not familiar with our little rock. We live on Vancouver island which is off the west coast of British Columbia. So for us to go to Vancouver we have to take a ferry which takes about an hour and thirty minutes to cross 24 nautical miles. At a cost of about $100 each way. Ouch. I guess that is the price you pay or living on a rock. Well, that and our inflated real estate prices.

Luckily for us, Greg’s brother lives over there, so we can combine a family visit with our vet appointment. That makes it a bit easier to take.

Surgery?

Sage can’t have anything to eat after midnight, the night before her appointment, just in case she has to have surgery. Apparently, a front gait abnormality is often associated with disc issues. I will only let them do surgery on her, if her impairment has the potential for deterioration. If it won’t cause her any pain, and will just stay the same, I will likely forego surgery. I just want to ensure that there isn’t anything that could get worse.

I have been dreading this appointment, and I will be very happy when it’s over.

These boots were made for walking

What we have been doing in the mean time to ensure that her foot doesn’t bleed, as it sometimes does when the claws get worn down, is making her wear a tiny little wellington boot. She isn’t a big fan of the boots, so we only make her wear it on the one foot. Plus, sometimes they fall off in the park. So I am down to just one boot… Here she is looking very stylish in her bootie.

 

If you want some of these styling puppy booties get them here:

tay tuned and I will update you on how the appointment plays out. Fingers crossed that she doesn’t have to have surgery. I hate the thought of her being all shaved. Poor little muffin.

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