I’m still waiting for adequate information on Ginko’s health status. The best I’ve gotten so far is that he’s doing “OK” or “fine” and that his bloodwork was “good.” I’m trying VERY hard to be patient and NOT freak out from worry, but I still have major crying jags when things get to be too much … because I’m the kind of girl who needs details not only on his medical status but his emotional one as well. …
We are worried sick! Ginko has not kept any food down since about mid-day Tuesday. Between dinner Tuesday night and lunchtime today, he threw up 7+ times. At first, he could keep the food down for 2 hours, then 1 hour, then only 10 minutes. So, off to the veterinary hospital we went, and the doctor hospitalized him pronto. We don’t know for sure, but it sounds an awful lot like pancreatitis. …
Sometimes I feel l like the more I read the more confused I get about training a fearful dog and what can go wrong if you reward the wrong things. Essentially, I believe you cannot make a real fear worse by comforting a fearful dog. Despite what the tough-love people want us to believe, my understanding is that using classical conditioning makes fears better, not worse. Yet, I read some things in Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book The Well-Adjusted Dog that have me doubting myself again. Help!?! …
After Lilly’s recent wellness exam with her new veterinarian, I had to refill her prescription for chlomipramine, which is an anti-depressant she takes for her fears. We had been paying about $25 for 100 pills. She takes 2 a day. BUT, when I went to pick up her prescription after a meeting last week, the invoice at the new hospital shocked me. …
Last week, veterinary blogger Dolittler posted a piece entitled “Top 10 Pet Owner Excuses for Aggression in Dogs.” And,
while I understand the tone and intent, it made me feel really sad
because so many aggressive dogs are actually fearful dogs, who need help. I also noted
in my comment to her post that I felt terribly unwanted as a
veterinary client. It wasn’t so much what Dr. Patty Khuly wrote, but
some of the comments took blame and derision to a level I did not expect. For
example: …
Longtime readers know that Lilly and I often take little trips off the mountain for Mommy & Lil dates. We run errands. We take walks in town on busy paths. We share patio lunches at our favorite local restaurants that allow pups to dine outside. Now that the weather is warmer, we try to get out at least once a week. Even with spring barely underway here in the Rocky Mountains, we see more and more people and dogs out during our adventures — much more so than in the winter. Recently, a couple of things have really started to …
Squeak, squeak, squeak. Whine, whine, whine. That’s all I’ve been hearing for several weeks now. Lilly has a new attention-getting ploy. She goes and cries to Ginko, which frustrates him, so then he barks. Ginko never bothers me unless he really needs something, so at first, I’d go running to see what was up. VOILA! Lesson learned. Lilly figured out that fussing to Ginko garners attention (from both of us). STINKER! …
I never really believed those experts who say it takes X amount of time for a new good habit to become routine, but considering my nearly absent momentum since Lilly’s snakebite nearly 2 months ago, I can affirm that taking a break of even a few weeks from a hard task I once took on with determination and discipline bled away my focus.
…
Last Thursday was a long day. I worked all day, drove 2+ hours in the head up to CSU, met with our behaviorist for 2 hours, then drove home (another 2 hours). My head was reeling from her insights about Lilly’s behavior, especially about all the kissing being an anxiety outburst (just like snarking or hiding). And, here I thought she just LOVED ME a lot. One question, among the countless asked, echoed in my head as I drove home. My iPod battery pooped out, so I had regular radio and my own thoughts to keep me company during the …
It’s not like clomipramine comes from Mars or is some new-fangled drug. It isn’t. It’s a pretty common medication for dogs with anxiety. Why, then, is it so @#$@# hard to get it where I live? And, why is the dog version SO MUCH MORE expensive than the human version? Talk about screwing the pooch, or at least the girl who loves her!!! …
