Physical Therapy vet

Well I got a call from the surgeon who removed Mr Beebs broken plate back in December. She was interested in how he is doing. I said "up and down". His leg collapses quite often.
She had just been speaking with another vet in another town in Ct who does PT for dogs.
I did call him and make an appointment. When I described how the initial surgery turned into a $50,000.00 ordeal he said
"That was your choice" "You did that because you love your animal"
Hmmmm..I found that curious in that I made a decision to try to save him and his life but as far as a choice? What choice was there? It was a long down hill slide from day one and yes I love Mr Beebs ....but seeing his existing back leg full of arthritis ...I wonder what choice I ever had.Is this the new dialogue that vets are using? I wonder if its some sort of legalise that says..You love your animal...so if we hurt them, injure them or kill them...you have the choice to pay for the repair..or you can let them die and that is your choice. How about doing a good job and being accountable for the fee's you charge with no responsibility for screwed up surgeries or care?Hmmm...Maybe I'm just paranoid.Could be...and then again I was lead down a trail by allot of vets willing to take allot of money for vain attempts that I'm sure they knew would never save that leg. Not ever. From June 6 2006...we were on that slide downhill.
The lady who's rottie has MRSA has also been hushed and placated by the same surgeon who did Mr Beebs and another hospital entirely.
I was very direct with her. I said MRSA will kill your dog if you don't start doing damage control right now.The more I learn the more I'm sickened by the back door ethics that I'm seeing all across CT.
Today I will buy some IM adequin shots for Beebs to see if it helps his back leg and the pain.
The fun never ends around here!

My fears are confirmed...

I got an email from a lady in the same town as me who's dog had surgery and now has MRSA.

It pained me to read her email and when I wrote back was very direct as far as the gravity of their situation.

She said "they thought the vets were shoving it under the rug yet their gut told them it was bad".

We'll talk later today...I hope I can help them before their dog slides into oblivion.

I'm pissed...why are the vets down playing this? Why aren't we informed of this danger. How prevalents is MRSE and enterobacter in our animal hospitals?

I feel the worst is behind us now but I'm afraid these poor people are facing a terrible situation.

Not right. Not right at all.

Anyway...Here's Beebs about to eat a nutritious meal and is so worried that Sydney is late for breakfast that he is standing over his bowl saying "Come on ...get over here".I've never seen dogs so gentle around food and so polite! They wait for each other before they will take even one bite! Now that's good manners.

I'm afraid the surgeon has harmed yet another dog

I just got a disturbing email from a friend of my sister who says her neighbors dog had surgery a month ago with the same vet and now has an infection....
To say I wasn't sick reading that would be an understatement. My gut says...oh no...I know whats coming. I'm angry at the doctor and until I speak with the people I wonder if it is also the same hospital.
I'm furious and that's a good thing because I'm going to redirect this energy and turn it on the people who are causing such pain and suffering because of their stupidity and laziness.
The first person I give this report to will be our State attorney general. The "Act for a Bill" is formulating daily and I'm lining up[ facts figures, and foe's.
"Know your enemy" At the moment that is the AHI (Animal Health Institute) and the AVMA...I have read their position on changing existing laws and to be honest they are based on fear but not on facts. In dollars and cents it would have very little impact on their insurance cost or the cost to their clients. It might go from $188.00 a year to a whopping $450.00.Hmmmm...sounds like the cost to us is really going to escalate. Oh but we'll have to practice defensive medicine.IE inform the paying customers of the risk! Wow now there's a new idea.
I'm tired of the having their cake and eat it crowd taking advantage of our love for our non human family members.
Once I speak with the people facing the infection I'll update.
One vet told m,e the bacteria is resistant to cleaning solutions. Really? a little ammonia and water...how about bothering to clean at all. How many cleaning personal have you ever seen at your vets office? I saw one...one time. She was cleaning the door window as you walk into the hospital....I'm tired of this BS...
Mr Beebs is up and down lately...the wheelchair has been very difficult. When it cools down I'll keep trying and also change the design to accommodate his male anatomy.
Thats all for now...

Old pogo is getting stronger

Today I left the wheel chair home and let him and Sydney run around a shady area of a park. He did really good except on the way back Mr Beebs fell down in the sun and wouldn't move.
I had a t shirt I put under him and carried him over to the shade . We rested a few minutes and then he poggoed some more.He stopped again and laid down.
After all he is 10 and this past year has kicked his butt. Even so he is so cheery and happy these days...eating well and not seeming to be suffering.
I can only pray that the worst is over. Wow a simple walk brings such pleasure when I can take both my guys.Its the little things.

He's such a good boy

This cart thing is not going well

We tried again today to walk a dozen steps or so in the cart. Fat chance....I seriously think its got to be something about the way its pressing on his male parts that is making him resistant.
Thinking back to the day we got fitted for a custom cart...Mr Beebs did better in that cart then the one he has now. On that day he walked down the handi cap ramp and up to my truck ...
Now its like pulling teeth.Getting hold of the company is not turning out to be such an easy thing either. When I wanted to buy a cart I got calls and appointments now every time I call no one answers the phone.I know they're busy and perhaps its just bad timing.But $500.00 later I want something that works great.
He also been off all ab's for one full week and so far...he looks healthy and happy.I don't see any of the usual signs of infection that I have in the past. He's on;y taking deramax and tramadol and thats just to keep him pain free.Its nice to feel like life is getting almost normal again. I never appreciated normal as much as I do now.

one step at a time

I've recently called the doggie wheel company because something about the way the cart Ka thunks... behind Mr Beebs makes me think something needs adjustment.Either the yolk is to long, low, or uncomfortable. Keeping his male parts from shifting during walking is also a concern. It seems after walking 10 steps or so his "sacs" are under him which means they are being crushed by his pelvis slightly. I know there are some that would say see...you should have neutered him.But then I wouldn't have Sydney spurring his Dad on.
I start school in a week and so need to get this cart situation figured out. I don't want to drive another 4 hours to go to the place and have them adjust it. I was hoping I could speak with the designer and get a few tips. Two days in a row we went to the park! I was so excited to see them out together again sniffing and whining in the car.
I let Beebs pogo around till his good and tired and then try his cart out. With time and conviction I hope to get him good enough in that cart to resume our therapy visits. He would be a tremendous inspiration to so many if I could only get him walking well in it.
I also talked with a mal practice attorney today. She will look into the law here in CT. I called because I was afraid of a statutes of limitation..God forbid. The money I spent saving him was my college education money. I don't regret using it for one bit..he is worth it and especially seeing his goofy face playing with Sydney.I never thought the day would come when I could take a deep breath...even smile.
What ever this attorney can do as far as directing me would be a tremendous help. In the mean time I'm studying the CT legislative procedure book and revving myself up for a chance to change it for good. And to expose the myths the Vet profession and drug companies have been presenting as facts. The facts actually make them look like a bunch of money grubbers who know a good thing when they see it. Gee whiz...wouldn't it be nice for the rest of us to provide a service or good and not be responsible for what it does to those who pay for it. What kind of crazy thinking is that. Mr Beebs and this battle have inspired me to seek the truth and get some solid answers from these professionals.Its about time they had to present numbers instead of myths and fear tactics.
In the mean time my guy is alive and well!!! Thank God...we made it this far.