Vet Care

 Afternoon & Hello.

In case you don't follow our FB feed, Ziva was taken to the Emergency Vet Clinic yesterday.

Since early on, if her mouth can reach it, she'll chew on it or plain old swallow it.  

It's a known problem and something that has caused numerous issues. 

She's ruined everything from shoes to health equipment. She still swallows my hair scrunchies whole and any small cloth.  Rope toys are not to be given unless you keep an eye on her.   Is that a piece of cardboard? In her mouth it goes.  She'll tear apart toys and swallow pieces.   

Because of all that, she's had regular intestinal issues.  We've joked that she'll be the dog that they find tons of toys in the stomach.     
For the most part, she has passed everything. 

However in the time that we've had her, she's never thrown up (or gagged) over several hours only to bring up spittle or bile.   She's never been listless and lethargic.  She'd moan. She couldn't get comfortable. She would not go to the bathroom, eat or drink.  

She was lying outside on the patio or in the rocks--while it was lightly raining.  That was the Bernese loving cold weather coming through while trying to get comfy.

We attempted to get her a same day appointment, but there was none available and if it ended up being a blockage--she'd end up at the Hospital we went to anyhow.

If you know Ziva, you know she is a happy go lucky-extremely loving dog.  She'll greet "most" strangers with a hug or wanting a pet.  She loves car rides & looking out the window.   She loves food.  She is a bottomless pit.   She loves playing with her siblings. 

Yesterday she was none- of those.    Hence we went to the ACN.   During the ride she just laid there.   Couldn't get comfortable, would switch positions, but just lie there.   At the clinic, she barely greeted the tech that came into the room.   

They took her for X-Rays. Good news was there was nothing in her stomach.  Her small intestines were what we were watching & they sent us home with orders to not feed her. 

She slept most of the time. Only threw up 2 more times. 

This morning she was more like her old self.  It was a relief to see.   She did have a BM and appeared in good spirits.   She was 80% like her usual self. 

We returned for our appointment and another set of XRays.  The issues in the intestines had shifted and along with the BM, it appears she's going to be ok. 

It could be that she over-ate on Thursday. I had mentioned she was being a pig & over ate some of her special food that we only give her in moderation.   

Or it could have been something else.   However they gave her some anti-nausea medication. She's eaten and appears to be on the mend.  

Bad news...... Volos was gagging just before we left and I just cleaned up two spots in my office.   

NOW...
It could be his nervous stomach at being left home 2 days in a row.   He does not deal with that well.   --OR-- was it a virus that Ziva had?     Remains to be seen. Fingers crossed because this Momma will not deal well. 

Speaking of Volos.  I believe I mentioned he had a few lumps I wanted the vet to look at.  I needed to know if these should be removed or if they're just fatty.  Determined they most likely need to be removed.  There are 3 significant ones that need removal and a few that should, but if we can't locate them on day of surgery (due to size), it is not the end of the world. 

I was HOPING to wait until after the new year.  For obvious reasons that EVERYONE is aware of...INFLATION... it has kicked us hard along with some other issues not discussed here. 

I had to put Ziva's vet visit on the CC--which I HATE, but it needed to be done.  While Holding my boy and feeling the lumps..feeling like they grew.. I said screw it.   He needs his surgery. 

I love that boy and Berners on average live 8-10 years.  We adopted him at 5 and we're going on 8.   I am not ready for anything to happen to him.   This dog is my everything.  So I'm calling on Monday to schedule his tumor removals.  

Rich's forever dog was Sheba.   Mine is/was Galen.   However, Volos is nudging him to 1.5 place vs 1st.   I love this guy.    So I beg of you to keep him (all of them) in your thoughts.