The Veterinarian Clinic
Do you see that? That's the building I had to enter today. And now believe me when I say that I am a social dog, who likes to visit other places, but that I really didn't like this building.
It started with all the other dogs inside. And if there's one thing I don't always get along with, it's that! I'm quite friendly, but I was just totally stressed, it was all so strange today.
It started with no food this morning. Lady-boss told me this morning that I was not to have any food. Well, why the woof is that? Skipper didn't like it either, he wasn't happy either. But it would get even crazier. Around 10 o'clock this morning, Skipper and Myla had to go inside the living room, and I had to go out of the living room, all alone! That never actually happens, so that was the second weird thing this morning.
Go for a drive in the car
Then we got in the car, and now you should know that I'm not very fond of driving. I often get a little sick in the car. Not today, maybe because I hadn't gotten any food...I didn't woof it right. After half an hour of driving we came to this building, and as soon as I was lifted out of the car, I didn't want to jump out, I forgot that I am in pain.
I smelled that a lot of dogs come here, and I smelled that not all of them were happy. That made me even more stressed than I already was. And that made me not like those other dogs at all, and didn't even intend to like them. Boss and Lady-boss then decided that Lady-boss was going to tell me that I was there, and that I wanted to wait outside.
After I had waited outside for a while a friendly lady came to me, she stroked my head. I liked that.
A work-out
After that, she wanted to see me walk and trot. Now I wasn't really planning that, because yes, I can forget that I'm in pain, but it still hurts. If you know what I mean! So Boss just went for a run with me to make me trot, and he ran up and down the steps with me a few times... Jesus boss! You know I'm in pain! However, I do everything for my boss, so I joined him as best I could.
The friendly lady was apparently also happy with what she saw, and then I was allowed inside. This time I didn't have to go to the other dogs, but I was allowed to go to another room via a shortcut. The door was closed, and I was allowed to sniff around. Lady-boss wanted to take pictures... but I didn't feel like it. Haha. So I decided to do my needs quickly. After another lady had come to clean it up, it was obvious that I was very stressed, and I had to puke. My stomach was really upset. When that was also cleared up, I had to stand on a large table. They called it an examination table.
They were still nice to me then, and I didn't mind it all that much. But then I had to lie on my side. And then I thought, that's going TOO far! So from that moment on I didn't cooperate so nicely, and boss and lady-boss both required their hands to keep me under control.
The friendly lady who is an orthopedic specialist veterinarian was full of admiration for me. I am in superb health and condition for my 12 years! Nice compliment, but tell me that again when you're not hurting me! It was here that they had to put a muzzle on my snout. Seriously, I swear... I would have bitten if I could. I already showed all my teeth.
The diagnosis
So today they did X-rays and an ultrasound of my legs and back. And a comprehensive physical examination. The good news is I don't have to go back.
Boss and Lady-boss were afraid I would have a ruptured cruciate ligament. But that turns out not to be the case, luckily! So I don't have to undergo surgery. What I have can be compared to spit, it is in my lower back. The extensive physical examination, as well as the X-rays and ultrasound, showed that there has been trauma to the intervertebral disc that connects my tail to the sacrum.
That may have happened when I slipped out of the pool. What the recipe is now is 4 to 6 weeks of rest as much as possible and only being let out on a leash. I am not allowed to practice my hobby during these weeks. I also have been given anti-inflammatories and extra strong painkillers that also are supposed to keep me somewhat drowsy, and that also treat the radiating pain in my nerves. With rest, I will be fine again...
Wow, that's quite a story. Quite an experience, and the worst thing, I think, is that I am not allowed to play with balls and do sports for at least four weeks. That's really sad. Anyway, I do want to get rid of the pain, so there is not much else for it than to keep myself calm. Sigh!
Oh, and yes, the fact that there are no pictures of me in the veterinary practice is because Lady-boss couldn't take pictures. I kept her too busy. Well ... They trained me well, I have a very strong condition and a strong will.