Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Poor Carbon! Hope he continues to improve without any further intervention.
The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire
- Thread starter Emily_Babbelhund
- Start date
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
@Emily_Babbelhund , how is Carbon doing now ? xx
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
His wounds are looking good - no more blood - but today he seems a bit subdued and painful. He didn't really want to walk when having his wee this morning. I gave him a pain killer with his breakfast and I'd not given him one since Tuesday.
Or it could just be me becoming paranoid and him having a sleepy morning.
I'm glad we have another vet appointment this afternoon. I'll feel a lot better if his bloods have improved.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Back from the vet. Carbon's bloods are up 1% - from 37% to 38% - which for some reason has thrilled his vet. I really don't get it, but she says the fact that it is going in the right direction is enough to feel much better about his condition. Neither of us are sure where the pain is coming from, but she said to continue with the pain meds (and of course antibiotics).
Interestingly, the clinic where Carbon had his op wrote my vet, Dr. Patzak, to essentially scold her for making a big deal out of his low blood count and wasting their time. Jerks. It will really have to be a life/death/no other choice decision for me to step foot in there again.
Dr. Patzak took out HALF of Carbon's stitches. I hate when doctors do that to me, but Carbon didn't seem to mind. He just keeps kissing Dr. Patzak. Dr. Patzak said, "I bet he doesn't give kisses to those doctors at the clinic, does he?". Well, he doesn't...they didn't get that close to that end of him!
We'll go back for yet another check and the rest of the stitches on Tuesday.
For @snowbunny and @Beanwood , I pushed Milteforan like a madwoman today. His Leish bloods came back and he is on the low side but still positive. Dr Patzak said his globulin levels are too low now to consider Milteforan, she said the low levels are from the stress of surgery and the bladder stones. I am to discontinue the Alopurinol for one month, she will re-do his bloods and then consider Milteforan. By the way, she doesn't consider his Leish active as he has no symptoms. I told her what @snowbunny said and she just "Nope, nope, noped" at me. Yeesh, I'm confused.
Of course waiting a month means only being able to start Milteforan in September when I am no longer in Germany. Argh. I explained to her that August I will be here, our lives will be quiet and it would be a very good time to do the Milteforan. She said no way due to the globulin.
So there you go. Maybe I just rent myself a house in the Bavarian forest in September and give Carbon Milteforan food bombs for a month?
Interestingly, the clinic where Carbon had his op wrote my vet, Dr. Patzak, to essentially scold her for making a big deal out of his low blood count and wasting their time. Jerks. It will really have to be a life/death/no other choice decision for me to step foot in there again.
Dr. Patzak took out HALF of Carbon's stitches. I hate when doctors do that to me, but Carbon didn't seem to mind. He just keeps kissing Dr. Patzak. Dr. Patzak said, "I bet he doesn't give kisses to those doctors at the clinic, does he?". Well, he doesn't...they didn't get that close to that end of him!
We'll go back for yet another check and the rest of the stitches on Tuesday.
For @snowbunny and @Beanwood , I pushed Milteforan like a madwoman today. His Leish bloods came back and he is on the low side but still positive. Dr Patzak said his globulin levels are too low now to consider Milteforan, she said the low levels are from the stress of surgery and the bladder stones. I am to discontinue the Alopurinol for one month, she will re-do his bloods and then consider Milteforan. By the way, she doesn't consider his Leish active as he has no symptoms. I told her what @snowbunny said and she just "Nope, nope, noped" at me. Yeesh, I'm confused.
Of course waiting a month means only being able to start Milteforan in September when I am no longer in Germany. Argh. I explained to her that August I will be here, our lives will be quiet and it would be a very good time to do the Milteforan. She said no way due to the globulin.
So there you go. Maybe I just rent myself a house in the Bavarian forest in September and give Carbon Milteforan food bombs for a month?
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
They sound too awful for words.I'm guessing you have mixed feelings post that consultation?
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
@Emily_Babbelhund oh dear , how confusing for you with this conflicting advice , that clinic sounds horrible xxxx
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I'm sorry you are going through this @Emily_Babbelhund 
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
This may sound surprising, but I don't think they are horrible in terms of care. They are considered the regional specialists and if you want an alternative with the same level of expertise, you need to go outside Regensburg. Having said that, their patient relations stink. I've spent quite a lot of time sitting around waiting for Dr. Patzak lately and chatting with other patients in the waiting area. I've talked to three other people who had a VERY similar experience to mine. Poor treatment by the receptionist, not being kept updated with the status of their dog and the surgery done not corresponding to the procedure explained prior to treatment. In all three cases, the outcome of the dog was good, but they'd never go there again unless it was completely unavoidable. The same way I feel.
Yes, I'm frustrated. I've been asking Dr. Patzak about Milteforan ever since I first brought Carbon to Germany. It's always never the right time. Always valid reasons given as well as a clear explanation why, but I continue to worry about the Alopurinol and long term effects. The difference now is that Dr. Patzak has seen the problems with Alopurinol in Carbon, so she is also motivated to get him off it in the long term.
I'd also just like to see Carbon being more himself for more than a day or two in a row. I'm a worry wart!
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Of course you would, I don't think you're a worry wort!!
I was it bits just having Cassie spayed
- Location
- Isle of Man
@Emily_Babbelhund I have only just seen this awfulness you & Carbon are going through, I am so, so sorry. 
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Thank you! He's doing much better. Still not quite up to snuff energy-wise, but his wound is looking good and he's off pain meds again. Also he's learning not to wee on his foot, for which we are all grateful.@Emily_Babbelhund I have only just seen this awfulness you & Carbon are going through, I am so, so sorry.
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
Oh gosh Emily! We have a saying, in some parts of this country, " It never rains but it pours ". It is really pouring for you and Carbon right now isn't it?
I hope it will all settle soon.
I hope it will all settle soon.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
For some reason I'm feeling pretty low lately. It's bizarre because Carbon is doing much better and I expect good news on his healing up from the surgery when we see our vet tomorrow.
It may be more about trying to decide about what to do in September. I was holding out hope for a visit to the US to see my father, his partner Donna and her family, but the more I think of that, the more foolhardy it seems. I'm rather sloth-like in my decision-making, but that visit is slowly but surely getting wiped from the planning board due to the COVID situation in California.
While I love Regensburg, the transition from proper house with windows and a garden in Cornwall and living in a basement studio is also a challenge. My dad calls my place here "Der Bunker" due to its subterranean attributes.
Add to that touch of claustrophobia the fact that there are are SO MANY PEOPLE on the streets and I don't feel comfortable going out during 'normal' hours. Our walks at 6am are great, but that's the only time I can relax. I tried going out at 9:30pm tonight and it was STILL chockablock with people! Argh!
Anyway, trying to find somewhere to live nearby here for September in the hopes we can do a Leish treatment for Carbon. Then maybe escape into the countryside/coast somewhere for October/November. I'd really love a proper house with windows and being able to walk Carbon without loads of humans around. I'm looking for pseudo-Cornwall: something Cornwall-esque within a 2 day drive. A girl can dream.
Hopefully that will keep my mis-firing brain occupied, because at the moment I'm back to crying over Brogan. That's a reliable sign that my neurochemistry has gone haywire and it's time to regroup. Stupid brain anyway!
It may be more about trying to decide about what to do in September. I was holding out hope for a visit to the US to see my father, his partner Donna and her family, but the more I think of that, the more foolhardy it seems. I'm rather sloth-like in my decision-making, but that visit is slowly but surely getting wiped from the planning board due to the COVID situation in California.
While I love Regensburg, the transition from proper house with windows and a garden in Cornwall and living in a basement studio is also a challenge. My dad calls my place here "Der Bunker" due to its subterranean attributes.
Add to that touch of claustrophobia the fact that there are are SO MANY PEOPLE on the streets and I don't feel comfortable going out during 'normal' hours. Our walks at 6am are great, but that's the only time I can relax. I tried going out at 9:30pm tonight and it was STILL chockablock with people! Argh!
Anyway, trying to find somewhere to live nearby here for September in the hopes we can do a Leish treatment for Carbon. Then maybe escape into the countryside/coast somewhere for October/November. I'd really love a proper house with windows and being able to walk Carbon without loads of humans around. I'm looking for pseudo-Cornwall: something Cornwall-esque within a 2 day drive. A girl can dream.
Hopefully that will keep my mis-firing brain occupied, because at the moment I'm back to crying over Brogan. That's a reliable sign that my neurochemistry has gone haywire and it's time to regroup. Stupid brain anyway!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Oh Emily, I am sorry you are feeling low, life is difficult for you at the moment and being in 'Der Bunker' is not conducive to feeling brighter. You have worries, your Father and Donna, too many people in the streets and missing dear Brogan. Not a stupid brain, mine gets like that recently, we are not living in the happiest of times. I am sure once you can move you will begin to feel better. I cope by remembering Captain (help can't remember his name!) words 'tomorrow will be a better day'.
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Emily, to you. My Sunday evening offer is genuine and remains. No offense will be taken if you choose elsewhere, though. Just stay safe and do what you're most comfortable with. xxx
to you. My Sunday evening offer is genuine and remains. No offense will be taken if you choose elsewhere, though. Just stay safe and do what you're most comfortable with. xxx
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Not surprised your brain is mush.
Don't you find that you go through a period of stress for one or more reasons, find your way out the other end and think, yes this is better, when wham!bam! something else comes along to muck life up again?
Never ending cycle.
We all need to develop more resilience.
And our friends, our lifestyle (walking, fresh air, furry friends) can all help.
Hang in there Emily
Don't you find that you go through a period of stress for one or more reasons, find your way out the other end and think, yes this is better, when wham!bam! something else comes along to muck life up again?
Never ending cycle.
We all need to develop more resilience.
And our friends, our lifestyle (walking, fresh air, furry friends) can all help.
Hang in there Emily
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Emily
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Actually I don’t find that bizarre one little bit. I would say it’s not surprising after everything you have gone through with Carbon. Don’t underestimate either going from the spaciousness of Cornwall to ‘Der Bunker’ - where people are all around you. These are difficult times indeed - I am struggling myself and question why - looking back too much thinking of Sky and my dear mum. As @Jacqui-S says we all need to build more resilience but it’s hard. Be kind to yourself - decide what you want to do - not what you think you should do and just safe safe. Remember we are your friends
Emily. As Alison says, it’s not bizarre at all. It’s hard to adjust to being in ’der Bunker’ after the freedom and sea air of Cornwall. Throw into that mix the vet saga with Carbon and the worries about visiting your father, all against the background of this **** virus and it’s not surprising you feel low.I’m struggling too and find that some days are ok, but others are really difficult, with no particular reason. Anything ‘new’ can tip the balance, eg losing a bit of a tooth last week. Things are blown out of proportion, particularly when there’s nobody on hand in person to talk things through with and get some reassurance.
You have a huge amount of resilience - just think of all that you’ve achieved so far. Be kind to yourself. There must be a little bit of Cornwall waiting for you somewhere near Regensberg.