Monday, November 14, 2011

8:30 a.m.

Took Jo in for his Immiticide injections today. I gave him no breakfast this morning, just in case he needs to be sedated - and because Dr. Grosch said he would most likely throw up, anyway. I figure if he doesn’t have anything to throw up, they won’t have as much to clean up. It could be that he’ll be just fine and have no side-effects, but I’d rather make it easier on everyone involved if I can.

I brought my camera with me, and a nice, thick blanket for JoLee to lay on in the kennel. I asked Dr. Grosch to take some pictures of Jo in his crate if she could - but if it didn’t work out, that was fine, too. She said she’d do what she could. I told her the photos were for a blog I wanted to write about the whole experience, so other people could read how it went for me.

JoLee wasn’t very happy about having to go to the back room, nor was he very happy about being put into one of the kennels. As I left, his eyes were huge and he was shivering. Not exactly the image I wanted to leave the clinic with.

Dr. Grosch said I could call as often as I wanted to today - I was going to wait and call at 3:00, but I’m not sure I can wait that long. I’ll call at lunchtime.

November 14, 2011
9:55 a.m.

I can’t concentrate on work, but I’ve found a couple of interesting sites with information on heartworms:

http://www.2ndchance.info/heartworm.htm

This vet actually has a blog with fascinating stories of animals he has treated and the way he has handled various situations (including sand burs):

http://www.yourpetsbestfriend.com/your_pets_best_friend/

November 14, 2011
12:00 noon

I called Animal Haven; Dr. Grosch did not have to sedate JoLee. In fact, she says he’s been a model patient, letting her lift him up and lay him on his side, shave two spots on his back, and he only flinched a little when she injected him.

November 14, 2011
3:00 p.m.

I called to check up on JoLee, and spoke to the vet tech, Colleen. Apparently, knowing I was going to put up a blog about JoLee’s heartworm treatment, she and Dr. Grosch attempted to make a video on Colleen’s cell phone this morning. When she is able to upload it, she will send me a link.

Colleen’s thoughtfulness and her lighthearted jokes made me laugh - and the tension inside me is loosening. I could melt into a puddle at this point. I think my boy is going to be fine!

Colleen said that they offered JoLee some food and water, and he ate a little and drank a little. They also took him out for a little walk - Dr. Grosch was pleased to see he could walk just fine. I’m thinking that she may have been worried about that 1½” needle possibly hitting something it shouldn’t.

When I went home at lunchtime, Star was beside herself - her wagging tail threatened to take her right off her feet. She’s missing JoLee something awful. She looked all over for him - until the left-over pork roast came out of the fridge for lunch. Then she was quite content to be able to do all the begging herself.

It will be interesting to see what tonight is like. Since JoLee is still a pup, he takes a lot of attention and time, and Star is incredibly laid-back. Walking one dog is going to seem very strange, too. Still, knowing that JoLee is going to be fine and will be coming back home is quite a relief.