All I can say about now is UGH!!!!

Gatorblu · #1 30th April 2012, 10:41 AM

I made an appt for Thor at the specialty clinic. I specifically said when I booked it, that Thor needed his annual Holter. I was informed that the cardiologist was no longer with them, but an internist was taking over for now. I was ok with that as they basically put the monitor on him and then send the readings out to be read and analyzed .

I let Thor out to potty this morning. After he came in, I was leaning over to dry my hair when he walks past and I notice blood on his backside. I grab a tissue to wipe him. Then something hit the floor. I use the tissue to pick it up. It is a little hard crystal. Well, I guess I know why he is bleeding. As I check him out more thoroughly I find a whole lot more crystals stuck to his "exit area". (Thor had surgery and no longer pees like a boy, but has a hole behind his penis) So I think, well I guess that maybe it is a good thing I am seeing an internist instead of a cardiologist.

I get down there on time and am kept waiting at least a 1/2 hour before anyone comes out. We get back and the tech is looking at Thor's records a little confused as to why we are there. When I mention the Holter she tells me they don't have the softwear at this time to do it. Ugh! They are trying to get it as the former cardiologist will be in this afternoon, and hopefully he can get it to them. If not they will go thru one of the universities and get. I'll get a call when they have it. Fine. What else am I going to do at this point, right?

So I figured I have an appointment for an internist, deal with the other problem at hand. I had put the crystals I had found this morning in a baggie and took them with me. I showed them to the tech and she went to talk to the internsit and I took Thor out to pee again. (The increase in peeing has been going on around 24-36 hours.)

Internist comes in and apologizes for the mix up on the Holter. She said for Thor's other issue, he will need a CBC and Urinanysis. Fine. To be more cost effective I can get all that done at my regular vet, but they would do it there if I wanted. By this time I ready to run from there I was so frustrated. So at 4:00 today I am going to my regular vet, who I trust so much more than those people, to get Thor checked out.

I think I will call the two universities about getting Thor's Holter thru them. One is in Columbia, Missouri and about 2 hrs east. The other is in Manhattan, Kansas and about 2 hrs west. If anyone has had experience with either school good or bad I would love some feed back. And please send some healthy vibes to my boy. Thanks in advance!

Roge · #2 30th April 2012, 11:11 AM

Ok so the way to look at it is,your day didnt start out on a good footing so things can only get better. Your regular vets is the best option anyhow as they know Thor well and you trust them.
Sending lots of healthy <<<vibes>>> Thors way. I sure hope all goes well.
Thor you sure know how to keep everyone on their toes and if its any consulation Roge pee,s like a girl too and hes not had any procedure done down there, he only lifts his leg to mark.( my oldest son calls him a sissy ).
Please keep us posted.

EAO76 · #3 30th April 2012, 11:37 AM

Poor Thor. These dogs are such troopers. Its amazing and heartbreaking all at once. Sending lots of healing vibes.

Lizzie · #4 30th April 2012, 02:12 PM

Poor you and poor Thor

Sending lots of healing vibes to Thor!

Cami · #5 30th April 2012, 02:45 PM

It seems like you were at the right place at the right time (leaning over to dry your hair)!!
I think the reason that there was a mix-up with the holter is because he was supposed to be treated by his regular vet.

I hope you get some good news while at the appointment today and you hear something soon about a new facility for his holter.
Did they say WHERE the previous cardiologist went? Maybe you could track them down.

Gatorblu · #6 30th April 2012, 04:41 PM

I am SO PO'd right now! Thor is passing bladder stones, and rather large ones. If he didn't have the surgery that altered him he would never been able to pass them. Back when I took him in and they discovered his tumor they told me he had a bladder stone and not to worry about it. They failed to pass that info on to my regular vet. My vet is telling me the stones are from an infection. So has he had this infection since Feb? I've had a bladder infection and they are not fun! So it is quite possible those days I'm thinkng he isn't feeling well is from the infection, and not the tumor. Thor's bladder wall is so inflammed right now it is twice as thick as it should be. So he is on antibiotics for the next 3 weeks. We are sending out the stones for analysis, only because I have increased his protein and to ease my mind. My vet says he he really doubts the increase of protein is the source. He said that it would look different. Which is good because I don't think I would forgive myself if I had caused him any pain by changing his diet.

I don't think I will be going back to the specialty clinic for anything, with the exception of a dire emergency. (They are also the e-vet) They changed hands about a year to a year and a half ago and the quality just seems to have gone down hill. My regular vet is a neighbor of the cardiologist. He told me that the cardiologist left to start a practice of his own seperate from the clinic but due to a competition clause in his contract can not do so locally for two years and he is actually practicing about 1 1/2 hours to the north.

Thanks for letting me vent. I am a bit calmer now. Still PO'd but calmer.

winstonqmama · #7 30th April 2012, 04:52 PM

Poor Thor! That sounds terrible--& so stressful for you! Winston & I are sending lots of healthy vibes! (And thank you so much for your input yesterday about Winston's bite--it seems to be doing okay today!)

Gatorblu · #8 30th April 2012, 05:42 PM

OH! On a good note, when the vet was doing an ultrasound on Thor's baldder, he did a quick check on his tumor and didn't notice any significant growth! I am so relieved about that!

Lizzie · #9 30th April 2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatorblu

OH! On a good note, when the vet was doing an ultrasound on Thor's baldder, he did a quick check on his tumor and didn't notice any significant growth! I am so relieved about that!

Well I'm glad that there is some good news

, but I am really sorry to hear about Thor's bladder stones.

chrystel · #10 30th April 2012, 08:06 PM

Wow!!! First off, good you got those stones!! My goodness! poor Thor!!! such a trooper!!!

I feel you.. some vets/interns (whoever) are annoying. I swear, many are just here for the $$$ or so it seems...

Good luck to your Thor Baby... let us know how he feels

darwinsmom · #11 30th April 2012, 10:58 PM

Darwin was under the care of the cardiology department at Kansas State. Until the tumor on his heart was discovered, we typically saw a resident for the regular check-ups. I was happy with all the staff. They were always very good with Darwin. Holter results usually took a week to 10 days to come in. You can return the Holter by mail.

Good luck! Hope it is nothing serious and happy to hear the tumor has not grown.

-Karlyn

Roge · #12 1st May 2012, 12:58 AM

Well Im delighted to hear the news about the tumor as for the other all I can say is that Thor must be made of great stuff, the poor fella having that going on and acting as all was well with the world.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Thor and sending on lots of healing <<<vibes>>>