Freya V. Locke - Dog Behaviourist | Author | Blogger. Issue 4, 2024
What do you do if your dog falls ill on holiday?
Hi Gang
This week we went away to see my partner Peter’s parents for the week. (We got back yesterday, hence you are getting your newsletter today.)
While we were away, Twyla got poorly.
We were slightly concerned as she seemed restless before going to sleep, but we concluded it was just her hyperactive nature getting the best of her.
However, laying still in bed the panting and fidgeting continued. She was even panting in her sleep.
Maybe she had eaten something? Her anal glads had been playing up, maybe it was that?
Slowly we dozed off, still keeping an ear on her.
Around 2am she dived off the bed and let out a horrible scream.
So we found ourselves on the kitchen floor, attempting to empty anal glands with poor Twyla crying and whimpering, and eventually she refused to move at all. We were beside ourselves with worry.
Being a 3.5 hour drive away from home and the Vet, suddenly we felt very helpless.
So we carried the lump of scrump back to bed and watched her panting and whining through the night.
In the morning we rang my vet, who advised us to call the local vet. We gave permission over the phone for them to divulge Twyla’s medical history to the local vet, and also got a copy for ourselves by email too.
The local vet booked in Twyla for that lunch time.
Thankfully, they were brilliant. They first registered her as a patient, which took minutes while we were still on the phone. They then checked her over, finished emptying her glands, and diagnosed acute caudal myopathy. Otherwise known as “Swimmer’s Tail” or “Broken Wag”, it is a very painful condition, but thankfully not too serious.
She received medication, and the vets instructed us to avoid very cold weather and increase her fibre intake.
The vet charged us like a regular patient, with no unexpected bills. They promptly emailed our own vet with their findings and we'll contact our usual vet tomorrow.
The entire process was smooth, and everyone was very helpful and reassuring. The only thing I will do differently next time we go anywhere is have the local vet number to hand in case it ever happens again.
Ai Cock-up of the week
![A heartwarming scene of a dog at a vet clinic. The dog, a medium-sized, fluffy golden retriever, looks calm and content. It's sitting on the examination table, being checked by a friendly veterinarian. The vet, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, is gently examining the dog's ear. The clinic is modern and clean, with medical equipment visible in the background, including a computer, examination tools, and a poster of a dog anatomy chart on the wall. The atmosphere is comforting and professional, embodying a sense of care and expertise. A heartwarming scene of a dog at a vet clinic. The dog, a medium-sized, fluffy golden retriever, looks calm and content. It's sitting on the examination table, being checked by a friendly veterinarian. The vet, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, is gently examining the dog's ear. The clinic is modern and clean, with medical equipment visible in the background, including a computer, examination tools, and a poster of a dog anatomy chart on the wall. The atmosphere is comforting and professional, embodying a sense of care and expertise.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F34cc7ac7-5008-41b8-8e38-30909e3f61c4_1024x1024.webp)
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Spotted and sharing.
Dogs: Six-legged puppy Ariel has two limbs removed - BBC Wales
Ariel the spaniel has a new-found spring in her step after surgery to remove the two extra legs she was born with.
The 11-week-old was abandoned outside a Pembrokeshire branch of B&M in September before being taken in by a rescue centre.
Donations for her £15,000 surgery poured in from around the world and she is now on the mend after having her two legs removed in an operation on Thursday.
Handy links.
Well, that is it from me this week!
Warm n Fuzzies,
Freya xx