Tag: vet

Posted on by

Melody of Memories

In times of tragic loss, several people reach out for their friends and family for comfort, while others keep to themselves. Teejay Raj writes a letter to his most loved Pixie to express his love and share the bereavement.

My heart throb Pixie, It’s been only a month since you left us and crossed over the rainbow bridge. I am writing this letter to try and let you go. For some reason, I am unable to find peace. Sometimes it feels like a dream, but I don’t know what kind, good or bad. Half the time it’s like I’m in the middle of a nightmare, but maybe I’ll wake up and see you on my bed. Or maybe I’ll look over right now and see you lying by my chair where you’d always be when I am home.

Sometimes it’s like you were just my imagination. I want to fall asleep again and hope that I re-start that same dream. Was it really nine years ago that I first saw you? We were supposed to have another two or three or even five years to hang out and go on walks, talk, travel, or play, or was that all just a happy dream?

I wept when you passed away, I still cry everyday although I loved you deeply, I couldn’t make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Tiny little paws at rest. God broke my heart to only prove he takes the best. You came to my life when I was struggling with a shocking discovery of a lifelong disease with no cure in medical science. This hit me hard. It was difficult for me to come to terms with the unwanted developments. What was more dreadful was the fact that I cannot lead a normal healthy life anymore. My dependency on medicines, constant vigilance on day-to-day simple activities, brought fear and insecurity which gradually led to massive bouts of depression and suicidal tendencies.

During the whole process, I didn’t even realise when I isolated myself from the world. Eventually it led me to attract strong tendencies to hurt myself.

I still remember the feeling when I first saw you as a teenee weenie pup at the adoption centre in Delhi. With you, the conversations were magical – someday I might have to leave this world without getting a chance to tell you goodbye so I just want you to know that all my happiest memories are with you. Promise me, you will never forget all the time we spend together and promise me no one will ever take my place in your heart ever.

The day I adopted you, I found my missing piece – you completed me and made a better person out of me. Thank you for coming into my life and making me happy and content every single day. Maybe I wasn’t the perfect father for you- but I did everything in my power to make you happy.

In a world where everyone is overexposed- you have always taught me to enjoy life in private. If I could give you one thing in life, I would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes, only then would you realise how special you were to me. Time has made me realise, choosing you was one of the best decisions of my life. You made me believe in myself when everyone gave up on me. You taught me compassion, love without condition or boundaries and caring and sharing. Maybe someday, somewhere we will meet again.

But for now, I will keep you safe in my thoughts like a gem well-kept in a treasure. I will always see you as long as my heart beats. When I walk around the house, I feel like something is missing. You aren’t there to greet me, No tail wagging, no tongue lolling. Life will never be the same. It is a quiet empty home- my tiny little girl now sleeps peacefully. And it hits me at random throughout the day. I went over to the terrace of our block last Tuesday to look for something, and my dear girl, I was thinking of you. I had to sit down and gather myself before I could get back to looking. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about, thank you for the nine years of being the best girl. It was a joy to grow up with you and it still breaks my heart that I won’t be seeing you anymore.

I want to read you the best quote I have ever heard, “You don’t know what you have, until it’s gone.” Truth, is you know exactly what you have but you just never thought, you would lose it. You have given me all your love and for staying as long as you possibly could. I never thought it was possible to love someone so deeply and so selflessly. You’ve taught us so many things without saying a word. You’ve changed me into a completely different human being. and now that you’re gone, I feel so lost and confused about my very own existence.

As far as I can see, grief will never truly end, it may become less shearing over time. Some days the pain does feel sharp. Grief will last as long as love does forever simply the way your absence pains my heart. A deep longing, along with deeper love…..someday the heavy rains lash and the next day the tide may recede. It will be an ebb and flow, the constant dance of pain, sorrow and sweet love.

I don’t often ask for help; I handle my own healing. When I do need someone that’s when you know it’s bad and I am literally struggling emotionally and mentally. You were so little when we got you and I was so young. Your passing symbolizes the end of an era, the end of very sweet memories. I love you Pixie, may you find happiness and lots of time to run and play on the rainbow. I miss you so much already. I am hoping this last letter to you gets rid of my heartache but it’s not working. Hopefully, I will find you in my dreams and thoughts and heal from this loss. You will always be “Daddy’s Little Girl”. I promise to see you on the other side when the time is right.

Unexpected Goodbye Forever in My Heart my baby.

Posted on by

Stick That Stuck For Years in Dog’s Mouth Finally Got Removed

Vet discovered the stick inside his mouth while dental cleaning.

New York, December 24, 2019: A Florida veterinarian discovered a stick that was likely lodged inside a dog’s mouth for three to four years, after examining the canine at a shelter in St. Petersburg on Thursday. A no-kill animal shelter called Friends of Strays had rescued the 8-year-old dog, named Buddy, last month. After they noticed rot on his teeth, they put him under with anesthesia for a dental cleaning, according to ABC Action News.

“Our veterinarian had noticed some rotting teeth in his mouth so she did a dental cleaning,” said Holly Clare, the shelter’s communications manager. The shelter posted photos of Buddy and the stick on Facebook and credited the dog for his calm demeanor — despite having the stick lodged across the roof of his mouth.

“Our veterinary team gave Buddy a dental cleaning today and what they found was shocking,” the shelter said. “He had a stick wedged across the roof of his mouth, stuck between a tooth on each side. It had likely been there for years and had eaten into the roof of his mouth and rotted two of his teeth, yet he never once complained. Thankfully he is going to feel so much better moving forward!” The vet reportedly had to extract the two rotten teeth but expects Buddy to make a full recovery.

 

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Posted on by

The Vet Will See You Now

Fear of the veterinarian can be fairly easy to conquer with a little time and effort

New Delhi, December 18, 2019: A fear of going to see the veterinarian is one of the most common phobias in dogs. Even the most happy-go- lucky canine may cower in fear as you try to coax him through the door of your veterinarian’s office. From the minute they enter the clinic door, they are confronted by strange smells, unusual sounds and slippery floors. Not fun! However, regular veterinary visits should be a part of every dog’s life. Your dog will need to visit your vet frequently as a young pup, and will need to go at least once yearly as an adult. If your dog becomes sick or gets hurt at any time, this will be the first place you take him. Hence, it is important that going to the veterinary office be pleasant and your dog not be stressed by trips there.

The good news is that a fear of the veterinarian can be fairly easy to conquer with a little time and effort, especially if you follow these tips for making visits a little less stressful. This serves not only to reduce stress on your pet, but to allow the veterinary staff to effectively treat your dog. Every experience that your dog has at your vet’s office shapes his memory about that place. A single scary visit, especially during his sensitive socialization period as a puppy can set your dog up to fear the veterinary clinic for life. In order for you and your dog to develop a quality relationship, it is important to find a veterinarian that you like and trust. Each dog has different likes and dislikes, and should be handled in a unique way that sets them up for a stress-free visit. A standing relationship is important as your dog learns to trust your veterinarian and you can develop consistency in your dog’s care.

Every vet visit should be a fun and special time for your dog. Start by remaining calm at all times. Your pet trusts you more than anyone else on the planet, and he looks to you for cues. If you are stressed, your pet will be stressed, too. Use a calm, quiet voice and plenty of pats to help keep your pet relaxed. Bring your own treats with you at every visit. Your dog can get these treats when he enters the office, when he is showing calm behaviour in the waiting room, and when the doctor is handling him and drawing blood or giving vaccinations. Unfortunately, if your dog is at the vet for vomiting or diarrhoea, treats can likely not be given. In this case you can bring his favourite toy or something that may smell like home along for the trip. If your dog is showing signs of fear or protest to being handled, or simply showing signs of stress while at the clinic, you should consider taking him on subsequent ‘happy visits’ there.

This would involve going to the clinic, waiting in the lobby, getting on the scale, and going into an exam room and being handled at a level where he is comfortable…all while getting treats. Your veterinary can help guide you through what level your pet can handle with each
visit. Gentle, low-stress handling methods should be used by all personnel who interact with your dog at a veterinary office. This means that they should not use punishment, correction, or verbal scolding towards your dog at any time. Please ask your veterinarian for guidance on at-home handling tool training.

-Exclusive story by Buddy Life Mgazine

 

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Posted on by

Hot Dog: Checking for Fever

Look for signs like when he doesn’t want to get up to go for a walk, or passes on supervising our every move in the kitchen, you know something is amiss

New Delhi, November 28, 2019: With dogs, it can be hard to tell when they’re not feeling well. And even when you know something’s not right, figuring out the cause is an entirely different challenge!

Know what’s normal:
The most important step in figuring out whether your dog has a fever is knowing his normal temperature. Just like people, with healthy body temperatures ranging from 97.6 to 99.6, dogs’ normal body temperatures vary. Dogs can range anywhere from 100.4 to 102.5. To figure out what’s “normal” for your dog, you’ll need to take his temperature when he’s feeling well, or make a note of it during a routine vet visit (not when he’s sick). Also, temperatures can vary a bit throughout the day. Knowing your dog’s healthy pulse, respiratory rate, and capillary refill time are also handy tools in assessing a potential illness.

Watch for symptoms:
You know what it feels like to have a fever, and your dog feels much the same way. Look for signs like when he doesn’t want to get up to go for a walk, or passes on supervising our every move in the kitchen, you know something is amiss. Glassy-looking eyes and feeling warm to the touch are your next hints, and you can also watch for shivering, panting, runny nose, loss of appetite, decreased energy, and depression. When any combination of these symptoms appears, you should know that it’s time to get out the thermometer.

Taking Temperature:
Get a digital thermometer meant for rectal use and mark it “Dog Thermometer” or keep it somewhere away from your human medicine cabinet. You don’t want a sick family member to accidentally use it in a feverish haze! Measuring your dog’s body heat cannot be accurately gauged by feeling his nose. After lubricating the tip of a digital thermometer with petroleum or water soluble jelly, lift your dog’s tail up and to the side to prevent him from sitting, and carefully insert the thermometer 1⁄2” to 1” into the rectum. Then wait for the thermometer to beep, indicating that it’s registered your dog’s temperature. If your pup’s temperature is higher than normal, it may be time to call your veterinarian.

Causes & Treatment:
Like in humans, your dog’s body runs a fever to fight off infection or inflammation. Anything from an infected cut to a virus … a urinary tract infection to pneumonia… can cause your pet to run a fever – so how do you know when to be really concerned? Our advice is that any fever warrants a call to the vet to let them know what’s going on and get their advice. Temperatures under 103 can generally be monitored at home for up to 24 hours, but anything higher or longer than that requires a trip to the vet. A temperature of 106 degrees or higher can damage a dog’s internal organs and may be fatal, so this is a very serious condition. Other than offering him small amounts of water, talk to your vet before taking any action to reduce your dog’s fever. Giving him aspirin, for example, would prevent the veterinarian from administering other medications that might be more effective in lowering his temperature. If your dog’s fever is serious enough to require a trip to the vet, he will probably be put on IV fluids and receive anti-inflammatory medication. Your vet will also likely suggest blood work to see if provides any insight into what might be causing your pet’s fever. Unfortunately, because so many things can cause fever, it’s often difficult to nail down the culprit.

-Exclusive story by Buddy Life Magazine

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

Posted on by

Risk Factors that Predict a Dog’s Fear at the Vet

Around 40 percent of dogs were found to be scared from vet.

Sydney, August 26, 2019: A new study led by researchers from the University of Adelaide has found up to 40 percent of owners report their pet dogs are scared while being examined by a vet while, globally, up to one in seven dogs to show severe or extreme fear during an examination.

But some risk factors may help predict their fear including a dog’s breed group, weight, age of other dogs in the household, history of roles or activities, the owner’s level of experience in dog ownership, and where the dog was bought from.

The study was based on 26,555 responses to the Canine Behaviour and Research Questionnaire, in which dog owners were given examples of mild-moderate fear, including avoiding eye contact, crouching or cringing with tail lowered or tucked between the legs, whimpering or whining, freezing, and shaking or trembling.

According to m.phys.org extreme fear was described as exaggerated cowering, and/or vigorous attempts to escape, retreat or hide. Dr. Susan Hazel, senior lecturer in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, said it was widely known that dogs can be very fearful about going to the vet, but it wasn’t clear how common the problem is.

Researcher Petra Edwards, Ph.D. candidate with the University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, said owners with dogs that are afraid of their vet may avoid taking them frequently for check-ups, or wait until a health issue is severe. And scared dogs may be harder to diagnose, take longer to undergo a standard physical exam or pose a risk of injury to themselves, the vet staff and their owners.

The study showed some unexpected results for the factors that were identified as most important in predicting fear, including that dogs with histories of breeding or showing roles were less likely to be fearful of the vet in comparison to companion-only dogs.

To read more, subscribe to Buddy Life!

 Explore More on BuddyLife Magazine: