Tuesday 13 April 2010

ABC Wednesday M is for Mites! and Monty . . .


I'm sure you've all heard the expression 'Poor little mite' . It's one that I shall never use again advisedly from now on!

A week ago today (Tuesday) all the dogs seemed to be taking it in turns to lick the side of Jenna's face. We all looked and could feel that there was what appeared to be a lump. We investigated and found what seemed to be a slightly infected cut so Barry and our eldest granddaughter Marnie took Jenna to the vet. Mark-the-Vet discovered that the cut had been caused by scratching because she had ear mites. We hadn't noticed any excessive scratching but the evidence was undeniable.

Ear mites are very contagious which meant that the rest of the animals had to be seen. We have had six dogs in our house for the last three and a half weeks as Gillian's two were visiting so they all had to be transported to the vet and taken in two by two on a sort of rolling programme – one being examined while one waited. It was quite a pantomime circus and very entertaining for the other clients! The result was that two of ours needed treatment - Jenna and her half-brother Gus (who was heavily infested) as well as Tia, one of Gillian's dogs. Buddy's ears were grubby so he had to have drops and Frodo and Foxy were clear. The next morning Winston and Monty had to be seen but they were completely clear.

I learnt something new. It seems that puppies are often infested with ear mites! I knew about intestinal worms but I'd never heard or read of ear mites being a problem in puppies. So Gus is probably undoubtedly the culprit.

So the morning routine is now:- anti-epileptic drugs for Frodo, MSM and Glucosamine and other vitamins for Frodo, Buddy and Jenna, antibiotics for Jenna, ear drops for Jenna and Gus, cleansing ear drops for Buddy (which he hates – he shakes and we all get a shower, but it smells quite pleasant . . . ), eye drops for Buddy. Tia and Foxy have gone home with their family now so they're out of the equation . . . which brings me to Monty.
Monty adores dogs, particularly black dogs. He was born into an Army doctor's home and  among other breeds (including a Japanese Bobtail!!!) she had a black GiantSchnauzer who gently ambled amongst the cats and kittens. Monty loves all the dogs!  Here he is between Gus  (7 months) and Jenna (4 years) 
Monty and Winston were declared mite-free for which we were thankful. Monty had been quiet and had had little appetite for a couple of days and we were keeping an eye on him. Throughout Sunday his breathing became very laboured and we decided we needed an emergency appointment for him. My thoughts were initially that he had a respiratory infection but it also crossed my mind that he might have a problem with his heart. It transpired that my second fear was the correct one and he is currently still with the vets who are doing a fine balancing act to restore him to health. Mark-the-Vet phones twice daily (sometimes more) to let us know how he is progressing but it looks as if he will remain with them for another day or two at least as he is on an intravenous drip. Then his medications will join the rest in the 'animal medicine cupboard' and my morning and evening rounds will be longer.

Marnie and Callum went to visit him today and he was very responsive, purring and rubbing his head against them. We didn't go because we thought it might distress him but as their visit was rewarding perhaps we will go tomorrow. We are not pessimists but we do try to be realistic. Our vets are the best and Monty is young – only three years old - but his heart is not in good order, thus we hope for a good outcome but fear the worst. He's a fighter though, nearly dying from osteomyelitis as a three-month-old kitten.
It's difficult, indeed, doing everyday tasks with all fingers crossed!
Thank you to Denise Nesbitt and her ABC Wednesday team for their hard work in organising and hosting this meme. You can find out more – and join in! – here!

19 comments:

  1. Oh my! What a messy set of circumstances caused from something so tiny. I'm keeping my fingers crossed by that sweet Monty too.
    As Gilda Radner said, 'Its always something!'

    ReplyDelete
  2. MAN what a MESS of circumstances! Glad you got that all cleared up. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sorry to hear about this. Hope it works out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow, good thing you caught this NOW...it could have got worse. That's alot of medicine to dole out...hope all recover soon...makes for an interesting M post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, that is a mess indeed! I'm so sorry they're having such a difficult time -- because, of course, that means you do, too! What would we do without our animals? So much a part of our families! I'm holding good thoughts and hope it gets cleared up soon and that Monty gets to come soon, too! Hope you all have a good week, Janice!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  6. My, you have your hands full. I hope the outcome will be an "All clear" for the whole bunch.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very interesting and a bit yucky, I must say.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

    ReplyDelete
  8. that picture just makes me smile, they are all snuggling, i love it! I hope everyone is up to par soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Animals two by two... Noah's Ark...? Hope dry land appears soon...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hope my dog hasn't got them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I do hope that Monty improves and gets to lead a long and happy cat's life. You do have a fine surgery there every morning and evening! I hope your patients are all cooperative.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those pesky ear mites! I can just picture your little 'clinic'. Being an owner of a pack certainly keeps you busy, doesn't it?

    I hope Monty is doing well and that he'll soon be home. Such a shame that he has a heart problem at his age.

    ABC 'P' should be easy for you...Pills and Potions!

    ReplyDelete
  13. An amazing post! Those animals are so lucky to have you caring for them! And I am sure that Monty, with so much love around him, must find extra strength to get well!

    ReplyDelete
  14. you seem like such a loving care giver those are a couple of lucky dogs

    ReplyDelete
  15. That's annoying, fortunately my cats so far didn't have them, but we had fleas once, that was terrific too ! In the beginning I didn't know what happened and I had my legs itching, they all moved over to me, not to Mr. G. ! Now it's Frontline for everybody!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are such a joy and bless you for taking great care of them. Blessed are they that they are in your good and loving care.
    Have you a great week now.
    hugs
    shakira

    ReplyDelete
  17. My fingers will be crossed for Monty too. I do hope it all works out well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, poor little Monty! I hope they can help him!

    Mites, huh? It's usually cats who get them, in my experience, but certainly dogs can! And talking of mites, at least it wasn't mange. Our first dog had demodectic mange, which recurred twice before we managed to keep him free of it. The prognosis was actually quite poor from the lab, because the demodex mites live deep within hair follicles and are very difficult to get rid of - also, the fact that they cause symptoms in affected dogs means they have a deficient immune system, and if they really get the upper hand, the dog can lose the ability to control his body temperature and may die. Jim was fortunate. :)

    Ear mites? Pah! Easy peasy. LOL!

    My site is back up now, in case you tried earlier! :)

    ReplyDelete



Thank you for visiting. I love to read your comments and really appreciate you taking the time to respond to posts.

I will always try to repay your visit whenever possible.