Monday, February 6, 2012

Trying to get through


(Extra points for readers who immediately grok the musical allusion in the post title!)

We are busy here in VBB central with our new puppy, so here is another guest post for you this morning:

So after mumbletymumble years in the field of veterinary medicine, I thought I was getting pretty good at client communication. Whenever I start to think I'm getting good at something, I'm proven wrong. This time, my own husband played a role in snapping me back to reality. Here's the story...

A couple of years ago, I rescued a very nice boxer who had been hit by a car. He had horrible comminuted fractures of his right hind leg and needed an external fixator that remained for about 3 months. Not long after that, he pilfered a corn cob off my 2 year old son's plate and needed surgery. He also had heartworms when we adopted him, but we never seemed to get around to treating them (you know the saying about vets' pets!). [FYI for readers who do not know the saying about vets' pets - it's the same idea as "the cobbler's children go barefoot" or, I suppose "the teacher's children flunk out".... :) -VBB] Fast forward to this week.

I decided that I would finally treat him for the heartworms. Bloodwork was good and his lungs were stable. I knew it would be a pain to restrict his activity, but decided now was as good as any other time. So I gave him the first injection of immiticide and took him home to start the long confinement. I thought I explained to my husband that letting him run around the back yard could KILLhim. But I don't think the point sunk in. So the next day, not 6 weeks from now, but the VERY next day, I come home to see guess who running around the back yard! At first, I was very angry and offended that my husband had so little respect for my medical recommendations. But the more I thought about it, I realized it was my own fault.

Normally, before starting heartworm treatment, I bring a client in to the clinic and sit down with them to explain heartworms, the treatment, and the seriousness of following the exercise restrictions. I did not do this for my husband, but I am fixing that mistake now. This morning, I took the dog back to the clinic and I plan to let him come home after my husband comes in for a proper heartworm consultation. Incidentally, I live about an hour away from my office. Hehe.

Thanks for sharing, Gentle Reader! 

8 comments:

  1. I was under the impression that you could also treat heart worms by giving ivermectin (ie Hartguard) for a year to kill off the microfillaria and let the adults die off. Seems a safer and cheaper route to go. Unless, of course, the dog has issues with ivermectin. Glad all is okay and hope the rest of his treatment goes well.

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  2. @Tricia, you can read the American Heartworm Association's canine treatment "alternative therapy" (ie, non-Immiticide) guidelines here: http://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/canine-guidelines.html#11 to see why using a macrocyclic lactone such as Ivermectin is not recommended as a long-term slow-kill method, but rather only as an adjunct method.

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    1. Thank you! I always like learning something new :)

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  3. Hey VBB vets! Thought I'd drop a line and let you know I've tried to take the things you've taught us readers to heart today at the vet's office. Took my lovely mutt, who can be a BIG growling wuss-bot, in and think I shocked a tech when I told her it was okay to muzzle his snappy-growling self. (side note: I wish he'd realize the vet is really a cool guy out to help him!) Ive also learned from you that, if they suggest a heartworm test cause they dont have a record of one, its a good idea (and not just because) so we did that and got a clean bill of health! Or that patting him while the doc is listening to his heart isnt helpful! thanks for the lessons about how to be a good client !!

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    1. Thank you thank you thank you! Your vet thanks you and most importantly, your dog thanks you!

      And if your dog is a bit growly at the vet, I would suggest taking him in for weighing and a treat once a month. Taking him there when he feels good and is not getting turned into a pin cushion will go a long way towards diluting the "annoying visits" with some "treat visits."

      Personally, I love to hand out a treat to a wagging tail even if they are not there for an exam. Most vets love this. The more your dog see the vet, the more he will feel comfortable there. And the more the vet and staff see your dog, the better baseline for normal.

      Good luck with you pooch!!

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    2. It's all been worth it! @andrea-maria, you've brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.

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  4. @andrea-maria that is just heartwarming to hear. Thanks! Glad your wuss-bot got a clean bill of health :)

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    1. Ditto !

      Hope some day all clients will follow this. :)

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