Dogs and Health Issues: No One’s Perfect
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.
Having three dogs (and three cats), there’s always something going on, health-wise. Being a vet helps as I can assess when things can be managed at home with oral medications and when it’s time to take the next step. People think we as vets have it easy, as we can sort our own animals out and save some money this way. A common misconception. Some vets are more grounded than others, but I get quite anxious when something’s off with one of my fur babies. And the month of January brought us a few minor health issues to deal with.
Lava and Her Limping
Those of you who read some of my previous stories may have gathered by now that Lava is a real troublemaker. So in the last two months, she started limping on one of her front legs, on and off. Since she is mischievous and regularly runs off to the woods and to my neighbor’s place to wreak havoc chasing his dogs, it was no wonder she would come back with a limp. But instead of it happening only after strenuous activity, her limping became a daily occurrence, and it became obvious that it was bothering her.
Lava always likes coming with me to the clinic. She gets pampered wherever she goes and gets to sleep on the sofa while we’re working, as well as watch other animals. I used the opportunity to X-ray her legs one night shift, but unfortunately, she also required a CT scan. This is when I stopped being a vet and put my trust in my work colleagues to advise me like they would any other dog owner. It turns out that Lava has nasty inflammation and early arthritis in her left elbow joint. This is where a second problem arises, and that is strict rest. She is just not the type of dog that can be forced to rest, and I am turning into one of those pet parents who just can’t follow their vet’s advice. I of course blame it all on Lava.
