Visiting the vet can be stressful
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Endal takes his ticket from the bus machine.
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THEY say you are getting old when policemen and doctors start to look too young to be in the role that they are in and the years seem to pass by with frightening pace of speed. The other day Endal's annual vaccination reminder card from his vet fell on to the door mat. Strangely though, Endal collected all the post bar that one...can dogs really read I have to ask myself. Yet another year has gone by with such alarming speed, as it only seemed like yesterday he had his last vaccination, anyway I rang to book an appointment for his lordship and was given a slot the very next week.
Following the now normal British summer wet weekend, the day of Endal's veterinary MOT had arrived and off we went by bus to the vet surgery, which as luck would have it is strategically placed with the bus stop directly outside. For us mere mortals who are wholly dependent on public transport it is absolutely brilliant and so convenient. Endal as usual jumped up with my bus pass and showed it to the driver and then with such child-like enthusiasm collected the ticket from the machine. A bit ironic really, knowing where our eventual destination was going to be. A short 10-minute journey and we were quickly at the St Peters Veterinary Group practice at Horndean in Hampshire.
As a wheelchair user it is really nice to be able to boast that our fairly recently refurbished surgery has brilliant wheelchair access to all areas and even has an accessible loo, state of the art or what. First things first we always weigh Endal, a monthly procedure for assistance dog owners, again the scales placed so that even I weigh Endal independently and easily ... less stress for the dog as well as not having to be handled by others. One thing about the St Peters Veterinary Group worth noting is that the wait for a booked appointment is never long, yet I have never left feeling that we have been rushed out or not listened to during our time in with the vet, in fact, I have always appreciate the quality time we are given. It is quite often during the small talk phase that an issue might come up that reveals a hidden condition or indication of a problem.
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Endal has his vet examination, and a wart and lipoma were scheduled for removal.
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Endal, having been voted the world's most intelligent dog, started to resist the pull of his lead as we approached the treatment room but with a weakening reluctance entered. A sad fact is that I suppose the only times we ever go to the vet is for jabs or when Endal is not very well, so I guess there is an uncomfortable association that must build up over the years.
Ears, eyes, heart, joints and assessment of his general condition - the complete works given by John Whitaker, whom Endal seems to trust, relax and happily melt into Johns trained arms. Then with the speed and accuracy of a modern day guided missile the annual booster is administered. The check-up revealed that the wart on the inside of Endal's eyelid that had grown larger than felt appropriate to ignore any longer, should be removed and a lipoma under Endal's belly was looking a wee bit angry and warranted a biopsy.
It was recommended that it would be best to remove the offending wart, lipoma and conduct a biopsy on the other lipoma. I expected to be given an appointment at least a few weeks down the line, but John looked in his diary and said tomorrow morning "I'm free".
So at a stroke the meticulous Endal and Allen’s weekly agenda was about to change. Our appointments and visits now mentally cancelled down and very soon we were armed with a list of do and don'ts from the veterinary nurse for preparations pre-surgery. At this stage it needs to be noted that Endal (100% pure Labrador) lives for his food, every day at 6.30 am he greets the dawn chorus and sunrise with such enthusiasm.... knowing he is about to get the first meal of the day, yet this piece of paper clearly stated last food was before 8.00pm the night before. This did not bode well with a harmonious start to the following day.
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Endal received the mail that morning, but left his vet reminder form on the floor.
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Once we got home I made a quick call to Canine Partners and a Direct line to pre approve Endal's treatment and then everything was arranged and in place. At 6.30am the otter-like tail bangs against the bedroom wall with a timing and accuracy that most atomic clock manufacturer would so love to achieve. I have decided that taking Endal out for a walk is a good way to take the edge of his need for breakfast. Half an hour later we are back home, Ikea our other dog, an eight-year-old golden retriever, having had his breakfast out of sight of Endal. My foray in to the physiological distraction techniques failed dismally as Endal with a knowing look kind of thanked me for the unexpected and earlier than usual walk but where the heck was his breakfast? A battle of wills then ensued, as Endal can open any of the kitchen cupboards where his food is kept and even gets his own food bowl out. Luck would have it that Endal was booked in for 8.30 the bowl and food only had to be put back a couple of time but I do so admire his stubbiness - a feeling "de za vu", like dog like owner.
Once again we arrived at the practice by bus and entered the foyer with all the normal worries and fears we pet owners go through. Having Endal and going through things like this with him helps me understand the emotions a parent feels about their children. These are emotions lost to me but through Endal I am experiencing them all again. It is at this stage that the professionalism and understanding of the needs of service dog users and their dog by the practice team is so important. The St Peters team just seems to instinctively know how difficult it is for us to leave behind our faithful canine partners. It is selfish to say this but without Endal I am instantly more disabled, my abilities to be independent gone in a flash and my reliance then on others is total. I guess we are at our vulnerable at times like this. The pre-operation paper work signed and the much needed words of comfort and reassurance given to me... I left having watched as faithful Endal was led away. It is at moments like this we are all reminded what our four-legged friends truly mean to us.
After what seemed like a lifetime of waiting back at home the phone rang in the early afternoon. "Endal is recovering well and everything is fine" it takes a lot to make this Royal Naval veteran be show any emotional weakness but the eyes moistened with such unusual and unfamiliar ease, my voice faltered somewhat. I will admit to being quite worried because Endal is 11 and an anaesthetic is not without its risk for an older dog.
A second telephone call came later from the veterinary nurse saying she was happy for Endal to be collected, which really shows how understanding the practice is to the needs of assistance dog partnerships. Getting an assistance dog back with the owner greatly reduces stress in the dog. I was more than happy though for Endal to have a wee bit more time to recover in such a safe environment until Sandra my wife could get home from work. Sandra is the puppy operations manager for Canine Partners and she was able to leave work early so as to be able to collect me first from home and then set off to the vet practice to reunite the partnership. It is not easy to cuddle a dog from the wheelchair that is sporting the infamous cone, the past cause of much lower leg bruising and door frame paint chipping in the Parton household I guess we've all been there.
A short trip home and Endal was soon snuggled in his bed...what an emotionally charged day it had been. To save him going upstairs that evening I chose to sleep downstairs on the floor in my sleeping bag next to him. He slept soundly but I lay there hoping he didn't scratch or bite at his stitches ... I had forgotten how loud a Labrador snores. But once again we owe an unrepayable debt to the veterinary world, who only tend to see us when our companion animals are ill or in crisis.
By the time this issue is out the drains will have been removed from the wounds and then the stitches taken out, and an all clear visit will have been taken, but till then Endal will lap up all the love and attention I can give him. - Allen P
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