Life has been very busy these past few weeks, so I apologize for the lack of posting and visiting, I hope to rectify that soon.
We didn’t want today to pass without wishing you all a Happy Holiday!
I didn’t get around to taking Easter photos, so I thought I’d share a favorite of mine from a six years ago.
Yeah, photo shoots don’t always turn out the way you planned.
Happy Easter or Chag Sameach, however you celebrate we hope you enjoy.
In June of 2018, at Delilah’s annual exam, our vet discovered an arrhythmia affecting all four chambers of Delilah’s heart. (You can read the posts about it HERE and HERE.)
We were lucky enough to get an appointment with a cardiologist within a couple of weeks. Despite echo cardiograms (EKG’s) and Holter studies, the cardiologist could not find the cause of the arrhythmia.
All suited up with a Holter Monitor.
The cardiologist said it could be a small, unseen scar on her heart, but she also said we might never know the reason for the irregularities.
The treatment plan for Delilah was medication. The initial medication was Soltalal, which reduced the occurrence of the irregularities, but they were still occurring.
The cardiologist then added Mexilitene. Both the Mexilitene and Soltalal is available at our local pharmacy. The Mexilitene is very expensive (over $200 at the vet’s office for a 30 day supply, but our local pharmacy could fill it for about $95 {the last time I bought it, it had gone down to $75} there is also an online pharmacy out of California that fills it for about $95.)
The next EKG showed the irregularities while decreasing, were still occurring.
At this point I became concerned that the Cardiologist was missing something. I spoke with my vet and inquired about getting a second opinion. I explained how the other cardiologist in our state required you drop your dog off and that I wasn’t comfortable with that and she said, “Then take her to Tufts.”
And so I did.
I have to confess, I’ve always been sort of in awe of Tufts. I mean, anytime someone in my area has an animal that needs specialized care, they go to Tufts.
I’m not sure what I expected Tufts to look like, but I was still surprised. Upon arriving I realized, it looks like a University Campus. (Because it is bozo!) There are houses, cottages, barns, pastures and this amazing hospital.
I had given myself an extra half hour, so we arrived in plenty of time. I parked the car and went in to scope it out, leaving Delilah in the car.
A portion of the front desk area. I should have taken photos BEFORE bringing the dog in.
I checked her in, then went out, took her for a walk around to sniff and do her business and then brought her in to settle on one of the many couches. I tried to get her to sit with me, but she chose the floor instead.
Delilah poses patiently for a photo at the front desk.
We didn’t have to wait too long before were brought into a small room by a very personable vet tech. She asked a lot of questions and then left us while she went to get Dr. Karlin.
I loved Dr. Karlin. She was super nice. She looked at Delilah’s records, listened to her heart, then asked if she could do an echocardiogram. The room they use for the test was small, so I was asked to wait in the exam room. Delilah seemed very comfortable with both Dr. Karlin and the vet tech, but I was told if Delilah seemed at all concerned, they would come get me and we would squeeze into the room.
Delilah was back in less than 10 minutes and then Dr. Karlin and I discussed what’s going on.
In the six-minute echo, Delilah showed no irregularities, this was good, (I still have concerns because her arrhythmias tend to show up more during the night, but without running another Holter monitor, there’s no way of knowing.) Dr. Karlin said the only change she would make to Delilah’s meds, were a different strength of Soltalal, which would be easier to administer. We had 80 mg that she was getting ¾’s of, (about 60 mg, twice a day) which was changed to 120 mg which could be halved. Otherwise it was stay-the-course.
Delilah watching who knows what, while I consult with the cardiologist.
She did advise me that Delilah was still at risk for a fatal heart event, but that was something we already knew.
Dr. Karlin was kind enough to let us out the side door, so I didn’t have to deal with the waiting room full of animals. I walked Delilah about, put her back in the car and went to pay my bill. The bill came to $507. Now some people would say we spent a lot of money and found out nothing new.
I disagree. For me it was confirmation we are doing everything we can for Delilah, and my friends, that takes a heavy burden off my heart, and that is something I am truly thankful for.
Today is the Thankful Thursday blog hop hosted by our friends over at Brian’s Blog. Hop on over and say hello.
Brought to you by Brian’s Blog.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
Erin go bragh
Sampson Stone here spinning an Irish tale about a dog named Delilah and how she got herself some corned beef.
Did you know Corned Beef is NOT a traditional Irish food? I was surprised too, but when Mom did a little research she discovered that cows were originally sacred in Ireland, so when meat was eaten, it was usually lamb or pork.
Even though Mom is Irish, she doesn’t care what they’d eat in Ireland today, today she’s eating corned beef! And let me tell you, that woman will NOT share her corned beef, she’s super stingy like that.
BUT, once, many years ago Delilah scored herself some corned beef. Here’s how it went down.
Delilah had only been with us about 10 months and back then, she and I still went to Doggy Daycare, Mom would pick us up after work and bring us home.
According to Mom, Dad makes a mean corned beef hash. At least that’s what she says, because neither Delilah or I have ever had corned beef hash. We are only allowed to lick the plate, which the way those two lick their plates, there’s barely any left for us.
Well, because Dad (supposedly) makes this awesome corned beef hash, when Mom makes corned beef, she makes enough for extras. Dad has this cool little meat grinder and he attaches it to the counter and grinds up the corned beef.
So this particular day, Dad had decided to make his corned beef hash. While Delilah and I were at Doggy Daycare, Dad ground up that corned beef and put it on a plate on the counter.
Delilah and I ran in the house and Dad had something to tell Mom, so the two of them chatted at the dining room table. I had run straight for the water bowl, because I’m always so thirsty, but Delilah, Delilah ran straight to the counter.
All of a sudden I heard Mom say, “What’s that sound?”
Yup. It was Delilah, front paws on the counter, inhaling that corned beef.
The next thing I heard was Mom saying, “I’ll take care of her.”
Dad was mad. So mad, I think he saw red! I swear I saw steam coming out of his ears!
But Mom stayed cool, she took Delilah by her collar and put her right in the crate! She had to stay in there for something like 20 minutes or so.
I think Delilah knew she was in trouble, because she usually barks when Mom isolates her, but she didn’t do it that day. She laid right down and kept her big yap shut.
That sure was the Curk for me, even if I had to do time in the pen.
And that my wee lassie and laddies is how a Chocolate Labrador named Delilah had herself a corned beef dinner.
What are you having for St. Patrick’s Day dinner today? What’s the best food your pets ever scored without your permission?
Have a great St. Patrick’s Day everyone!!
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