Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/07/2008 5:05 PM |
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Thanks everyone for the best wishes. I will let you know on Monday what UC Davis recommends.
It has been an interesting day; I was able to get an appointment for UC Davis tomorrow at 9:30 am. We live 5 hours away so Digby and I will be leaving at 4:00 am. Our vet and the specialist have spoken and they are both in agreement that a 2nd opinion good idea. Our vet still feels that he has explored every option available but he has had a 180 degree change in his attitude. |
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
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Posts:131
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| 08/07/2008 8:19 PM |
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I got my fingers crossed and I will waiting by the puter to hear what they say
I'm glad your vet changed his attitude |
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 08/11/2008 12:53 PM |
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WOW! I cannot say enough about the staff at the UC Davis, San Diego Clinic. They were the kindest, most compassionate, caring group of people that I have ever met. We arrived before they opened and in the parking lot the office manager was already greeting us and making us feel comfortable. The staff went above and beyond to lower Digby's stress (as well as mine).
Dr. Fischer immediately put my mind at ease when she informed me that she respects our vets opinion and efforts, but she didnt understand how he could reach the recommendation of euthanasia based upon the test results . She spent the next 45 minutes with us asking questions and sitting on the ground playing with Digby. Afterwards she outlined a series of tests that would answer most of the questions that she had about Digby's health.
Two hours later I received another consultation and a written report describing the tests and the results. Based upon her opinion she could not locate any serious health concern. There are two test results that are still outstanding and we will probably have some additional tests done in a couple of weeks to determine the cause of the frequent urination...but the kidneys are healthy. She also had the Cardiologist check out a faint heart murmur but he feels that this is due to her young athletic heart.
Needless to say my wife and I are thrilled with the outcome.
Thanks for everyones kind support and blessings. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7843
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| 08/11/2008 2:54 PM |
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That is fantastic news. In a way I am not surprised as I have seen some odd results with tests on GSPs. As I said, the vet thought Halo had a heart murmur too as a pup. Turned out to be exactly what the UC Davis folks said, due to being a active puppy. Here is hoping the remainder of the tests go well.
By the way, Belle (my oldest), urinates allot more than Halo. The vets have never found anything wrong with her, it is just her way.
Good luck!!! and Yippee for the good news!!! |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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hjackson
West Mansfield, Oh
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Posts:131
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| 08/11/2008 3:06 PM |
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I am SO GLAD you went for the second opinion.
My guess is she just has an overactive bladder and as she matures so will her bladder.
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~ Heather
neverbendgundogs.angelfire.com |
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Pointer Fan
Westminster, Colorado
MH
Posts:954
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| 08/11/2008 8:43 PM |
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| Happy to hear you got good news. Dogs are probably like people----I can go all the way across Wyoming without a potty break and I have a friend who is good for about 75 miles. Can't imagine a vet recommending euthanasia as anything but a last resort. |
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madonna
walldürn- odenwald- germany
Posts:13
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| 08/19/2008 5:44 AM |
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One of my dogs trank poisened water after a hunting. in this area 11 dogs died- we could rescue him- with a kidney - disease, that limits his live to 24 month- this was 18 months ago. the last vet visit was 3 month ago. the doc gave him 2 to 6 month. he looks healthy, you see not anything- but he will die soon. sometimes i wish, he would have died directly after the poisoning. it is heart breaking to see a healthy looking dog and knowing, that he is dying. Greeting madonna |
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love me- love my dogs |
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tchrisman
Shapleigh, ME
MH
Posts:108
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| 11/12/2008 11:39 AM |
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Posted By hjackson on 08/04/2008 8:11 PM
the vet left a piece of the ovary and when they went in and respayed her - the "kidney problems" stopped
This is remarkably easy for a veterinarian to do, btw. My wife's second biggest fear when doing a spay. She's "caught" herself leaving a piece a few times now. |
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Marshfield Kennel German Shorthaired Pointers |
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tchrisman
Shapleigh, ME
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Posts:108
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| 11/12/2008 11:55 AM |
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Sorry I'm a little late to the party, but the initial vet needs to be fired immediately. A veterinarian's job is to diagnose the problem and give you the available options (treatment, specialist, even euthanasia are all options). When he or she can't figure it out the vet's job is to help you find someone who can figure it out. Your job is to do the best thing for your pet and your family (vis-a-vis the checkbook).
Veterinarians are not trained in any way to determine how much you should be able to afford to spend on your dog.
From what I can tell this guy 1) never got to the problem, 2) never got you to someone who could get to the problem and 3) never gave you any option other than euthanasia. Strike three. You're fired.
Sorry, my wife is a veterinarian and veterinarian's playing God is a huge pet peeve. Dr. Amanda will send you to a specialist so fast your head will spin. It's normally cheaper for the client in the long run, because the specialists have seen this exact problem and know how to fix it. |
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Marshfield Kennel German Shorthaired Pointers |
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Digby's Owner
Bakersfield, California
Posts:17
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| 11/12/2008 12:11 PM |
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After we changed vets it was brought to my attention that the previous vet owner had termineted his relationship with the doctor who recommend the euthanasia.
I am happy to report that we had a 90 day follow-up with Dr. Fischer. Everything with the kidneys checked out OK. We are going to have a 1 year follow-up with the Cardiologist but he still feels that the heart murmur (which is now softer) will disappear by the time she is 1 years old.  |
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tchrisman
Shapleigh, ME
MH
Posts:108
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TessaGA
Georgia
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Posts:2387
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| 11/19/2008 8:48 AM |
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Wow. I am so sorry you have had to go through this, with a puppy at that! I can't imagine...Good to hear that things are looking up. And very glad you pursued this even when things looked so bleak.
I guess the trick is to find a good vet, preferrably one that is knowledgable about the breed, or makes an effort to become so, get second...or third opinions, and do one's own research if for no other reason than being able to bombard a vet with questions.
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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