In many languages the month January is named after the Roman god Janus, who often was depicted with two faces—one looking back on the past, one looking forward to the future.
Reflecting on 2020 of course it goes without saying that there are feelings of frustration over the changes, sadness and pain over terrible and heartbreaking losses. I think there's already too much of that for 2021 too. It has already been quite a month and we're not even to the middle of it yet.
This past Wednesday was a terrible day on so many levels. To not take away from any of those events, or trivialize them, at our house the day ended with Max pacing, panting, licking his lips and gagging. I worried that he had something stuck in his throat. And as much as he would let me, I looked inside his mouth, and reached to the back of his throat to try and clear it, just in case something was caught. I could find nothing. His gum color was good so I knew he was getting plenty of air, but I then started to worry he was having an allergic reaction to something he ate. I had given him a bite of my dinner.... I gave him three Benadryl and waited 15 minutes.
It didn't really get any better. That's when I headed to the animal emergency room, about 25 minutes away. When I was about 10 minutes out, I called to let them know I was on my way, but I was told that they would not be able to see Max - Apparently with COVID they have cut down on their staff on each shift, and that cuts down on how many emergency patients they can take. This unsettling news took me to another 24 hour vet's office that I did not want to go to and to a vet that I totally detest that was working. As hard as it was, I put that aside, and waited outside in my van for the vet to call me. (did I mention I really don't like or trust this vet?) to give me the diagnosis. Okay, the vet, that I call "Dr. Death" because of his callus disregard for those in his care, I will say, just this time, that he did what appears from the outside where I was, a good exam and x-rays that found nothing but a lot of gas in Max's stomach. Max was given a steroid injection and another injection for the nausea and very thankfully there have been no more symptoms.
Yesterday Max was quiet and subdued and so un-doodle-like.
But his appetite seems to have returned. And after another friend told me she'd had the exact same experience with her dog, it helped to know from her what to do if it happens again.
So with that I ended my work week having my first COVID vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that "dental personnel should also have priority access to the vaccine."
I will confess that I was really on the fence about getting it. Partly because there are so many others that are missing being with their family's and other similar reasons, and they are really waiting and hoping for it, and I hate to take that vaccine from someone like that.
But in a moment of watching a report about COVID, I felt that I should go ahead and have the vaccine.
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| ~Waiting in line~ |
To have it or not to have it, is really a personal decision, and for me, it was the right thing to do. Other than a bit of a sore arm, so far, I'm feeling just fine.
I so hope you, my blogging friends, are "feeling just fine" too and I look forward to catching up on your blogs and reading your news. I have really missed you. 💓
If only they could tall, sometimes their eyes tell a lot, and I am so relieved that the other vet was so much nicer this time. The vaccine, I am not sure how I think about this, as I react to so many medications, but the Flue one has always been OK with me every year. Your decision was very wise, and I can hope with all my heart that the year for you up North will improve substantially from now on. Max, stay well, no more emergency visits for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Max will be absolutely fine with no relapses and I'm glad that you went ahead with the vaccine. A happy and healthy new year to all of you at Golden Pines!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI hope Max is recovered from his illness. It sad to see the furbabies feeling sick. My hubby is hoping to get the vaccine asap. Take care, enjoy your weekend!
Glad to hear Max is doing better.
ReplyDeleteWe hope Max feels better and stays better. At the nursing home, all of our patients got their covid shots. Only a few staff members got shots, including me, so that if there were bad side effects, the entire staff won't call in sick at the same time. The rest will get their's in a couple weeks. So far, I just have a sore arm.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that it is a personal decision. It should NOT be mandatory.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that Max is recovering - I hope he doesn't have any further problems. It is so distressing when you feel you can't trust a vet to do the best for your furbaby.
ReplyDeleteMy Lab. Inca recently had similar symptoms, and I went through the same checks that you did Kim. I didn't need to take her to our Vet. because shortly afterwards she coughed up a couple of small leaves she must have eaten when she was foraging in the garden. Afterwards she was fine, and ready for her dinner!
I may not be able to take the vaccine due to medical issues I have. I promised to discuss it with my doctor before I got it, which I wouldn't be eligible to get in my State till late February anyway and I'll see him in early February so discussing it with him first isn't a bad thing or delaying it for me. But I thank everyone who gets the vaccine, you are helping create herd immunity and stopping the spread of this awful COVID mess.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
ReplyDeleteso glad to hear that Max is better.
ReplyDeletesomething just didn't set right with his tummy I guess!
and thank heaven the detested doctor was decent this time.
be careful dear heart. stay well! XOXO
What a scare that must have been with Max and then being turned away from your vet and having to go to one you don't like...what a day! Bet you and Max were exhausted. I'm so glad he is better. Glad you got the vaccine. I've got to find out where to get one and geet that done. Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteWe're glad to hear Max is doing well after his episode. You are lucky to be able to get the vaccination but you are also one who has to work closely with people when they aren't wearing a mask so don't feel guilty for taking it. I don't expect to get it for a few months since I'm retired and under 60. I'm lucky to live where everyone is properly masking and I only go out for shopping and doctor appointments so I'm okay with waiting my turn.
ReplyDeleteWe have a vet in our area that could be called Dr. Death. I have only seen him twice in all these years for an ER call. But each time he did a good exam and both times the dogs were diagnosed right. I hate seeing him, the horror stories are many. I have a hard enough time trusting my own trusted vet (just for difference of opinions) let alone taking the kids to see a Dr. Death. So glad Max was able to get the help he needed. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI agree that they should have offered you the COVID shot, you were vulnerable. Which one was it? They're going to offer the Moderna one here for people over 80, but Andy and I think grocery store workers should be above us on the list...we don't interact with other people much at all. We'll see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Max is all right.
I'm so glad Max is OK, but what an awful stressful time for you getting him seen!
ReplyDeleteWhile the world may be falling apart, if all is right at home, I can be OK, albeit still worried and stressed about everything. We are feeling fine, however, and I'm grateful for every day that we stay healthy. ♥
So glad your Max is OK.
ReplyDeleteI echo others who thank you for getting the Covid vaccination. I got the dreadful news on Wednesday from my doctor, who had consulted with an immunologist, that I am one of only four of his patients he will be telling not to get the vaccination. I had serum sickness, a rare reaction, to a previous vaccination. The effects of serum sickness can be cumulative and even fatal. (Others reading this shouldn't be afraid of getting serum sickness: it's very rare.) I had so hoped that since the two vaccines available do not include some of the preservatives and other "ingredients" of the vaccination that caused my problem, I could take them. I wanted to be part of the solution. I wanted to be as sure as I can that I won't bring Covid to my husband, who has diabetes but thankfully can be vaccinated or unwittingly pass it to others. I recently lost a crown, and I so dreaded my visits to my dentist. Her office has no closed-off rooms but "rooms" partitioned off from each other by walls that are not ceiling height. Being without a mask in rooms where air flowed from one to the other was far more scary than any dental work might be. I live in an area where people refuse to mask and are suspicious that the vaccines will include "nanoparticles" for the government to track and control people! I'm immunocompromised from my RA meds, and I would have been so much more comfortable if I'd known my dentist and her assistant had been immunized at least, but the immunization wasn't available then. You weren't taking a vaccine that rightfully belonged to others: you were protecting your patients. Thank you again, and I hope Max continues to improve.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so glad to hear Max is doing ok , Our old girl Miggs had something like that happen once( bloat) and I gave her gasX and it saved the trip to the vets and her from getting worse . Here in Ontario Canada they are slower with the vaccine then they should be but our family thankfully have all been well and staying safe. Our rescue husky mix puppers Summer who is now turning 8 months old is awesome , she is a fun loving smart girl and we have been working with her since she joined our family in August and she is almost fully trained just a few tweaks here and there lol. Hope all stay well and safe and here's hope to a better year for all 2021 .
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that Max is feeling a bit better. That sounds scary. Hopefully, it never happens again.
ReplyDeleteSounds scary...glad he is okay. Since we are petless now...I don't keep up with the new Vets...we had one for years who was awesome...we could call him at home...he was a heck of a guy:)
ReplyDeleteHope your Max gets better soon! I am sending warm strokes to Max!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
A doggy scare is enough to deal with and then face a vet you aren’t comfortable with makes things even worse. Sounds likes things are better, good news! Happy Max has perked up. Bet it has perked you up too!
ReplyDeleteHope you're still feeling just fine and all is well. It's very cold on the extreme northern coast of California this afternoon with an icy wind whipping off the ocean. I'm hoping to find the power still on when we get home from our trip to town (where I must go to access internet now).
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