More animal news, mostly not good

[flick]

A few days after we re-started her medication, Jodie threw up again, and was very limpy as well. We went back to the vet, and now she's got opiates, antacids, and no walks for a fortnight to see if we can settle both her sore leg and her tummy. It seems likely that she'll have to some off the metacam and onto something else (which will be less convenient and probably more expensive), but it's possible that having a longer break will sort her out.

(This, inevitably, happens just after I've refilled her prescription. I'm likely to have a 180ml bottle of dog metacam going spare, if anyone can use it.)

(Given that, what with one thing and another, I've been on my own doing the horses for five days in the last seven, not having to find time to walk the dog is a bit of a win. As is not having to hose a layer of mud off her at the end of each walk.)

The horses have been in for the last couple of days, much to the ducks' annoyance, but I did manage to get them into the top of the field today. After several days of playing chase each morning, the ducks went into the polytunnel quite happily today, and stayed there for ten minutes poking at their breakfast. Then Magrat started her usual ritual of chasing Erzulie around in circles, but as the 'door' was open 'Zuli just legged it. When I came in after doing my jobs, Magrat was outside the polytunnel but the other three were in it, so at least they seem to be getting used to the concept. I am seriously wondering if I need to put some kind of partition in there so that 'Zuli can get away from Maggers, though.

This morning was the end of Benny's fortnight off, so I checked to see how he was doing in preparation for a lesson tomorrow morning. I lunged him first, and he was a bit frisky (understandable, having been standing in for two days) but trotting fine. Then I got on him, and we had a lovely, if brisk, walk around, and then I asked for a trot and got about half way around the school before he started hopping again. Tried the other rein just in case and then got off and cancelled the riding lesson.

When we bought Benny, it just happened that the most senior vet had a gap in his diary and was the one who went out to check he was fit and well. I was sure to point this out when I phoned to make an appointment and now I have him coming to visit us next week so see if he has any ideas. This is great news, because it saves having one of the junior vets come out and faff ineffectually for a month or so before they get the boss to come and have a look.

(I'm pretty sure that it's not something the vet missed, but it was a useful nudge to the receptionist and it will mean that he's seen by a vet who recently saw him when he was moving properly.)

Comments

[clothsprogs]

Poop! I hope they're all sorted soon.

Teddy

[history_monk]

Seconded.

[bibliofile]

Poor Jodie! I mean, Metacam works so well for the pain. I've been lucky that most of the creatures have tolerated well, so it could do its job.

[flick]

She's been on it with no problems for a few years, now. I'm just hoping that if her stomach gets a good rest we might be able to reintroduce it.....

[dorispossum]

Dyam that's bad. Fingers crossed for both of them. Poor Jo. :((

[frith]

As far as I know, that Metacam is not limited to dogs. I've had to administer liquid Metacam to geriatric rabbits and meerkats, and Metacam in pill form to sheep, a goat and a bear. Probably other species as well, I just don't remember any other instances at the moment.

[flick]

It's not limited to dogs, but there are specific dog and cat versions available (presumably differently calibrated doses), which is why I specified that it was the dog kind: most of my friends are cat owners!

[anef]

Oh, poor Jodie. I hope she's not too unhappy. Horses do seem to be delicate creatures. Best wishes for recovery all round.

[flick]

She seems ok in herself, but she's very hobbly today. I think we'll have to increase her dose.

[andrewducker]

I hope that it helps and she improves.