has been a case of the Life and Times of Massie Lodge these last few days, where does one start? Every day presents a new challenge! As did this day.
Finally we have had some of that wet stuff firstly on Thursday we had 8mls (beggars cant be choosers can they?) and today (Saturday), its been raining steadily since about 4pm (its 9.45pm now) - heaven, just heaven you know.
I did the lunchtime feeding today (and let Evan have some peace and quiet with the races) and as normal, Bessie Merle came down with me and because I was so preoccupied with the 4-hooved ones, I didnt notice where she had been or what she had been doing. Not that she wanders far but she has her little places that she visits.
After coming up for lunch at approximately 1.30pm, I got up after eating my lunch and made for the back door and noticed Bessie Merle stumble off the lounge unable to walk on her back legs and salivating rather excessively.
"EVAN!!!" I called.
Rang the vets and put her in the car with a suspected Snakebite.
Anna the vet took some blood from the poor wee girl and did a coagulation test. Blood coagulated fine. Anna suggested that we leave her in with her as sometimes the symptoms dont manifest until a little later on. Also, she wanted to take some more blood in the next few hours to check the coagulation rate.
As you can imagine, I was beside myself when I left my girl there at the vets with the thought of whether I would see her again alive foremost on my mind.
I got a phone call from Anna at 7pm. Coagulation fine, but it seemed to dissolve. Anna wasnt happy but wasnt convinced yet that it was a snakebite as Bessie was quite bright and walking ok.
Apparently there are separate antivenom serums for black and brown and also a serum for "not sure". Cost for Black or Brown serum around $300 for a vial. Cost for "not sure" serum $600 per vial. We were currently looking at the "not sure" serum and sometimes it takes 2 vials.
Anyway we left it that Anna was going to do another coag. test in an hours time... poor Evan, I have been soo miserable since this happened (yeah, yeah, red puffy eyes). As you all know, my dogs are my kids... and Bessie especially as she has sort of stepped into "Jack's shoes" and has become my shadow.
I got another call from Anna around 8.30pm after another coag. test. All blood has coagulated within normal time parameters and has stayed that way. Bess was still bright and walking fine. Bess has stayed overnight and Anna said she would call me if there was any change.
I said to Anna no offence, but I hoped I would not be hearing from her tonight. Its now 10.15pm and have not heard anything...please cross your fingers that I dont hear anything more tonight.
Why do we get so attached to our animals? Is it because the love they offer is so unconditional and is given with no other thought or hidden agenda? My dogs have always been part of my dysfunctional family upbringing...especially through the period of my life when I was the major carer for my mum who was very sick with cancer and which continued on after her passing. Even now, here at Massie Lodge, our 4 dogs form part of our family.
Dogs offer something very special to human beings. I remember when my mum was sick, Millie was always by her side; when mum couldnt walk so good and it was more of a shuffle than anything else, little Millie would be there by my mum, keeping time with her, never leaving her side, offering unconditional support and love.
I know that I love each and every horse here on our property but Lancey, Bessie Merle, Matilda and Millie offer something back that the horses dont... unconditional support and love.
I look at my mobile phone and make sure that there are no missed calls from the vets on it. Lancey is behind my chair, snoring like a 60 year old man and Millie? Millie is here under my chair with her head on my foot. It certainly has been a very trying day for us... and we both certainly miss our Bessie Merle tonight.
Sleep sweet and safe Bessie Merle - i'll hopefully see you in the morning.
Helen.
Finally we have had some of that wet stuff firstly on Thursday we had 8mls (beggars cant be choosers can they?) and today (Saturday), its been raining steadily since about 4pm (its 9.45pm now) - heaven, just heaven you know.
I did the lunchtime feeding today (and let Evan have some peace and quiet with the races) and as normal, Bessie Merle came down with me and because I was so preoccupied with the 4-hooved ones, I didnt notice where she had been or what she had been doing. Not that she wanders far but she has her little places that she visits.
After coming up for lunch at approximately 1.30pm, I got up after eating my lunch and made for the back door and noticed Bessie Merle stumble off the lounge unable to walk on her back legs and salivating rather excessively.
"EVAN!!!" I called.
Rang the vets and put her in the car with a suspected Snakebite.
Anna the vet took some blood from the poor wee girl and did a coagulation test. Blood coagulated fine. Anna suggested that we leave her in with her as sometimes the symptoms dont manifest until a little later on. Also, she wanted to take some more blood in the next few hours to check the coagulation rate.
As you can imagine, I was beside myself when I left my girl there at the vets with the thought of whether I would see her again alive foremost on my mind.
I got a phone call from Anna at 7pm. Coagulation fine, but it seemed to dissolve. Anna wasnt happy but wasnt convinced yet that it was a snakebite as Bessie was quite bright and walking ok.
Apparently there are separate antivenom serums for black and brown and also a serum for "not sure". Cost for Black or Brown serum around $300 for a vial. Cost for "not sure" serum $600 per vial. We were currently looking at the "not sure" serum and sometimes it takes 2 vials.
Anyway we left it that Anna was going to do another coag. test in an hours time... poor Evan, I have been soo miserable since this happened (yeah, yeah, red puffy eyes). As you all know, my dogs are my kids... and Bessie especially as she has sort of stepped into "Jack's shoes" and has become my shadow.
I got another call from Anna around 8.30pm after another coag. test. All blood has coagulated within normal time parameters and has stayed that way. Bess was still bright and walking fine. Bess has stayed overnight and Anna said she would call me if there was any change.
I said to Anna no offence, but I hoped I would not be hearing from her tonight. Its now 10.15pm and have not heard anything...please cross your fingers that I dont hear anything more tonight.
Why do we get so attached to our animals? Is it because the love they offer is so unconditional and is given with no other thought or hidden agenda? My dogs have always been part of my dysfunctional family upbringing...especially through the period of my life when I was the major carer for my mum who was very sick with cancer and which continued on after her passing. Even now, here at Massie Lodge, our 4 dogs form part of our family.
Dogs offer something very special to human beings. I remember when my mum was sick, Millie was always by her side; when mum couldnt walk so good and it was more of a shuffle than anything else, little Millie would be there by my mum, keeping time with her, never leaving her side, offering unconditional support and love.
I know that I love each and every horse here on our property but Lancey, Bessie Merle, Matilda and Millie offer something back that the horses dont... unconditional support and love.
I look at my mobile phone and make sure that there are no missed calls from the vets on it. Lancey is behind my chair, snoring like a 60 year old man and Millie? Millie is here under my chair with her head on my foot. It certainly has been a very trying day for us... and we both certainly miss our Bessie Merle tonight.
Sleep sweet and safe Bessie Merle - i'll hopefully see you in the morning.
Helen.
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