Cathy Moon
Well-known member
Charlie had a very good day today - no pain episodes so far, and it's after 8:00pm. This is our best day since he arrived Tuesday night. This morning he slept in later than usual because we had to give him a dose of Metacam last night to help ease his pain. At noon he was out in the back yard for a little while with India and Chocolate, chasing leaves as they fell from the trees and barking at the squirrels in the trees - he doesn't seem to mind the cooler temperatures. He was more steady on his feet than I had ever seen before. Then we took him to his first vet appointment - his regular vet, not his neurologist.
Dr. Hutch saw him (Sandy, you know Dr. Hutch) and was very compassionate. He said we will address Charlie's most immediate needs to make him more comfortable, then he would like to see Charlie again next week - after Charlie's neurology appointment.
I explained what medications Charlie is currently taking: 200mg of Gabapentin every 8 hours, 10mg of Prilosec every 12 hours, and a Metacam dose every 24 hours for extra pain coverage.
He examined Charlie's skin and said his scabby, itchy painful rash is from the fleas. (We discovered Charlie had fleas two days after I brought him home. Thursday night I rushed to the vets for a Capstar tablet and a bottle of prescription medicated shampoo. All his fleas are gone now, but his resulting skin problem has been torture to him!) Charlie is now taking two new prescriptions for his skin, Zubrin for the pain and itching and Clavamox antibiotic for the infection. The Zubrin will replace the Metacam for the time being, because Charlie's skin will benefit from it. Then Dr. Hutch examined Charlie's ears, and he gave us a prescription of ear drops to help them stop hurting. He looked at Charlie's sore foot and told us the Zubrin and Clavamox would help his foot as well. He also told us we'll need to bring additional fecal samples in case the fleas gave Charlie tapeworms.
Then he told us there are more things that need attention, like Charlie will need a Lepto vaccination, but he'd like to wait until after Charlie's neurology examination this coming Tuesday.
Charlie came home from the vet and had a short outing in the backyard with Geordie. Then he came inside, ate his dinner, played with his toys, had a 'barkfest' with Geordie, and is sleeping soundly in his crate. :slp:
According to his drug chart (we could never keep track without a chart), all he needs tonight is another 200mg Gabapentin at 9pm. And we'll pray he has a good night!
P.S. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get the ear drops in Charlie's ears? His ears are very sensitive, and he can't stand having them handled. He jerks his head and tries to stop you from doing it. He also shakes his head. The ear drops have a warning not to get them in his eyes. I'm worried this is going to be a major problem!
Dr. Hutch saw him (Sandy, you know Dr. Hutch) and was very compassionate. He said we will address Charlie's most immediate needs to make him more comfortable, then he would like to see Charlie again next week - after Charlie's neurology appointment.
I explained what medications Charlie is currently taking: 200mg of Gabapentin every 8 hours, 10mg of Prilosec every 12 hours, and a Metacam dose every 24 hours for extra pain coverage.
He examined Charlie's skin and said his scabby, itchy painful rash is from the fleas. (We discovered Charlie had fleas two days after I brought him home. Thursday night I rushed to the vets for a Capstar tablet and a bottle of prescription medicated shampoo. All his fleas are gone now, but his resulting skin problem has been torture to him!) Charlie is now taking two new prescriptions for his skin, Zubrin for the pain and itching and Clavamox antibiotic for the infection. The Zubrin will replace the Metacam for the time being, because Charlie's skin will benefit from it. Then Dr. Hutch examined Charlie's ears, and he gave us a prescription of ear drops to help them stop hurting. He looked at Charlie's sore foot and told us the Zubrin and Clavamox would help his foot as well. He also told us we'll need to bring additional fecal samples in case the fleas gave Charlie tapeworms.
Then he told us there are more things that need attention, like Charlie will need a Lepto vaccination, but he'd like to wait until after Charlie's neurology examination this coming Tuesday.
Charlie came home from the vet and had a short outing in the backyard with Geordie. Then he came inside, ate his dinner, played with his toys, had a 'barkfest' with Geordie, and is sleeping soundly in his crate. :slp:
According to his drug chart (we could never keep track without a chart), all he needs tonight is another 200mg Gabapentin at 9pm. And we'll pray he has a good night!
P.S. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get the ear drops in Charlie's ears? His ears are very sensitive, and he can't stand having them handled. He jerks his head and tries to stop you from doing it. He also shakes his head. The ear drops have a warning not to get them in his eyes. I'm worried this is going to be a major problem!
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