Our Fur Babies and Their Health
I don’t have to tell YOU… that its been one hell of a year - or longer. I don’t now about you, but its been great being home with the fur babies all day… snuggle breaks, potty breaks, food breaks, another potty break… or maybe a break just to let the dog out to bark at everyone walking along the fence, minding their own business, just trying to check their mailbox. Oh. Sorry… maybe that’s just ME in THIS house. haha
Well, because we’ve all been home more we’re able to pay better and closer attention to our critters. Which also means we are noticing when things seem “off” or your fur friend isn’t feeling or acting well.
Recently, Rylee wasn’t feeling so well. He was puking mucus, then it became more acidic. So, naturally, we started thinking of anything and everything that he might have gotten into. Did we just fertilize the grass? Did we take him somewhere that maybe he got into something we didn’t see? Were were at the dog park? For us… none of those applied. But it didn’t change that Rylee was not feelin so smurfy. Poor baby =(
We decided to just watch him for the next day and make the call to the vet if needed. We did. We ended up calling the vet. Got an appointment 9 days later! Yeah. 9 days. But they say to feed him a bland diet*. And we did.
* Side note: For those who might not know what the “bland diet” is, its simply cooked chicken and steamed rice. Not seasoning! Just “bland”. Straight shredded chicken and steamed white rice.
Anyhoo… so we’re did the bland diet for the next few days. This all started on Sunday evening. By Wednesday, he was feeling MUCH better. Running around outside, playing “hose”, chasing the ball. Totally normal. Then Thursday, puking again. But now, its the food (bland diet) he’s been eating. Now I’m like, what the hell?!?! So I called the vet again to see if we could get in ANY sooner. They put us on the cancelation list.
That Friday morning he seemed to be on the mend. No puking. Not fully back to himself, but we’re doing good. We were out on our weekly Friday Family Outing where we take Rylee with us for our donut holes, coffee and mailbox run. On our way home, got the call from the vet that there was a cancellation! Yes! I’ll be be there in 1 hour! Phew!
In short, they checked him out and he shows no signs of anything “bad”. Sure… he has a few extra pounds (who doesn’t? Its frickin’ covid!). But, I did learn 2 things on this day - and I want to share them with you:
The likely reason for the puking on Thursday: Because he was feeling better and it happened to be time to give him his flea meds, I did so. He takes a chewable. Never has a reaction. Never anything out of the norm. BUT… because he had been sick the few days prior, he likely wasn’t feeling well enough to actually digest his meds. =(
He is fine - he likely just wasn’t feeling well, or got into something that we aren’t aware of. But there was nothing in his tummy and everywhere the doctor felt around, didn’t seem to bother Rylee. So that’s good! And;
Because so many of us are home all day working and with our critters, we’re noticing things we don’t normally notice when we’re not home all day. Because of this our veterinary clinics are backed up! You might remember me saying Rylee was sick and puking and I couldn’t get into the vet for 9 days. It’s because we’re all noticing more with our pets and scheduling appointments.
Now, because there might be a back up at your vet, I’m not saying don’t make that appointment. I’m saying do make it! It might take longer, but in the meantime, watch your fur baby and get on that cancelation list! This goes for dogs AND our kitty cats!
There’s nothing better than working from home with your loyal and loving fur baby at your feet, on your keyboard or on your lap — and when they don’t feel good, it hurts our hearts too.
** Here is a link to an article about why vet visits are on the rise during COVID-19.