They say that when it rains, it pours.
Well, I guess “they” are right.
Two weeks ago, Georgie wasn’t feeling too well. He had several accidents in the floor (totally not like him AT ALL) and he was being really clingy to me.
I mean, don’t get me wrong — I LOVE Georgie snuggles. But the dog NEVER sits in my lap … and he just wouldn’t leave it.
I told The Nerd that I was really concerned and that we needed to take him to the vet. Turns out, the poor little guy had a huge bladder stone.
I didn’t even know dogs could get bladder stones.
According to our vet, there are two kinds: one that’s caused by bacteria that accumulates due to a urinary tract infection — this kind can typically be dissolved by changing the dog’s diet. The other kind, the bad kind, is caused by calcium deposits in the urine and the only way to remove it is through surgery.
Guess which kind Buddy Bear had.
So, after a $400 vet bill to diagnose the problem, we got to schedule a $1,400 surgery. My pocketbook has never hurt so much.
All of this AFTER we had bought all the nursery furniture, new living room furniture and a formal dining room table. Yeah. It was not a good month.
BUT – it was WORTH IT.
We are those crazy people who buy stockings for their pets and treat them like members of the family. Our baby was hurting. How could we not spend the money?
Georgie had the surgery last Monday. He’s doing much better. He was out of it for several days, but he seems to be feeling much better now.
He’s on a prescription diet and we have to make sure he drinks lots of water to ensure he doesn’t get another bladder stone. Then, we’ll be doing the surgery all over again. And my pocketbook will cringe.
So, that’s where my head has been lately. Worrying about my poor little guy and stressing because I only have ELEVEN WEEKS until my due date. Holy cow. I’m going to have a cow.
Tell me I have time to get everything done, people. It really doesn’t feel like it.
Oh, and here’s a cute picture of the Beagle, because she can’t be left out:
Happy Hump Day!
Poor little guy! I’m glad to hear he’s feeling better.
And, I totally feel your pain on the bill. Last summer one of our cats ate a piece of string and needed surgery to remove it – and it cost more than $3,000. But when it’s your baby, how can you not?
Oh my goodness, Kate! That hurts. I’m sure we’ll get to that number eventually with the prescription food, yearly X-rays, etc
But you’re exactly right — how could you not!?
Awe, poor Georgie! I’m glad to hear he’s feeling better though!
And I totally understand…we put out stockings for our dog’s too, and our poor dogs have had to have surgeries too…I hate seeing them suffer, it’s terrible.
Our oldest dog once had an abscess tooth, and the one day he went outside and when he came back in his face was all swollen on one side! He couldn’t even see. 🙁 So we took him to the vet, and overall it was over $1500, for one tooth…so crazy, and that’s in Canada, so I’m not sure how much the vet’s pricing changes. I felt so bad for him though, he hates the vet, and he had to stay overnight…when we went to pick him up the next day he was howling in the back, and we knew he was up. And our chihuahua just had to go in a couple months ago for an abscess on his anal gland…poor little guy. And I agree, there isn’t really a choice. They’re family, and seeing them suffer hurts. 🙁
I hope Georgie continues to feel better, and you’re getting pretty close to the end of your pregnancy! I bet you’re getting excited! 😀
I’m so glad he’s feeling better! And you’ll get everything done in time. It’s going to be wonderful!
Sorry to hear about Georgie. I’m glad that he’s doing much better. We had a similar situation happen with our cat.
Cassinova had been sniffling for quite some time so we decided to take him into the vet. We found out that he had some teeth that were infected and that they needed to be pulled because they were going into his sinuses. However, because he’s 13, the vet wanted to run some blood tests to make sure he could have the anesthesia without problem.
That’s when the floor fell out from under us. The doctor gave us devastating news. Cassinova was in the beginning stages of acute renal failure–kidney disease. She said that he’d do fine under the anesthesia and that we just needed to keep him hydrated and feed him a prescription diet.
He had his surgery and was doing fine for the first few days. Then, he started becoming really lethargic. We took him back in and after more blood work, they found out that he was now had Stage 4 acute renal failure and they weren’t sure he was going to make it. They had to board him for about a week so they could monitor him and give him the meds, fluids, etc. That he needed.
After about a week, he started to perk up again. We finally were able to bring him home. For the last couple of weeks, he’s been home now. We have to give him meds four times a day (which isn’t easy), feed him a prescription diet, and insert a small IV every other day to give him fluids to soak into his muscles and body. Poking him like that makes me want to cry each time.
He’s still not out of the woods. But, he’s doing much better. We’ve spent nearly $2500 to keep him alive. If he goes down hill again, we’re not sure we can afford to keep treating him. I just hope he keeps getting better. 🙁
So, I know how you’re feeling. And, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. It’s not fun to deal with losing one’s pet, especially when they are family. And, I hate that money is involved and that it can determine whether people can afford to help their pets.
I hope Georgie keeps getting better! Good luck with everything!
Jenni –
I’m so sorry about Cassanova! I hope that he keeps getting better and better! Your little family is in our thoughts and prayers!
Thanks, Arena! I’m doing the same for your little guy. 🙂 It’s amazing how much these little animals mean to us.
Awwww… poor baby! I totally get the treating the dogs like members of the family. Since my husband and I don’t have human children, our dogs are our children.
I’ve so been there and have done that…except for us it was our cat. Now years later, after surgery, prescription food, another small scare later but no surgery and one final food change our cat is happy and healthy. I too didn’t know that they could get stones in their bladder. The cat now eats better than we do. It will all work out and I know that I would spend the money all over again. They truly are family.
My poor little puppy has been feeling under the weather lately. It breaks my heart to see him so low on energy and not his usual playful self. I’ve been giving him extra love and attention, ensuring he’s big dog t shirts comfortable and warm. I’m hopeful he’ll bounce back soon and be back to his happy, wagging tail self in no time!