Kirty Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Perhaps the vet was referring to long-term lack of management, rather than the few weeks Carlo had her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytmate Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Perhaps the vet was referring to long-term lack of management, rather than the few weeks Carlo had her. I am really surprised that a vet would put something like that in writing at all, so specific. They would have to be very sure of themselves. I wouldn't really want a document like that being around without going to the effort of clearing my own name. The RSPCA use vet reports to prosecute people don't they? Aside from that, the old vet needs to know that there are serious problems that he has missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Morning guys! This utterly has floored me and I have had a bit of a cry about it all.It has really upset me because I trusted my vet to to help me and Pearl. At no time did he ever even look in her ears with a microscope . . .he just told me to clean them regularly. I told him she had chronic vaginal discharge as he was all over her bedding and was hanging out of her in strings when shw walked around.He said to just keep an eye on it and the antibiotics she was on would help that. I mentioned her leg on all three visits and he said it was an old injury, not to worry about it and the prednisone would help that. The haemaetomas were not going to be looked at or changed at all . ..he said the damage was done. I want to take this up with him because i dont feel its right at all.How do I follow this up? I am really upset because I followed what he said to the letter and I feel really let down. I know he did the work pro bono . . .he didnt charge for consults but its still not right is it? I never refused treatment of any sort.What should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Carlo11 AND Kelscats - Take a bow - BOTH of you :D. Well said. Thank you Erny I hope and pray that things can get fixed. Kelscats, if you need $ to help with vet fees please call out. I will be honoured to contribute a little. There may be others willing to help. DOL is a mighty and wonderful community! Thanks HonBun, i have an email from my vet that i have just recieved and have posted it below. A donation would be wonderful if you would like to donate please email me for the DCH bank account details on [email protected] Thanks HonBun its muchly appreciated Dear Kelly Re Pearl: Female entire bull dog: Problem list: Chronic unmanaged skin infection: Pyoderma Bilateral untreated aural heamatomas. Chronic ear infection. Right cruciate rupture untreated leading to arthritic changes in the right stifle. Open draining pyometra ( cystic endometritis, or infected uterus) - likely to have been made worse with use of steroid with no antibiotic cover. pendulous vagina due to slack ligaments - likely due to numerous pregnancies. OK just my 5 cents worth here. No forgetting of course that I am not a vet but have seen every problem on the list in peoples dogs in my few years experience :) Chronic unmanaged skin infection. The condition was being managed(did the new vet see the before and after photos???No) Granted it was not managed the way it should of been. Bilateral untreated aural haematomas. Yep we know this. Kelly just my opinion...Do not get them fixed. What is done is done with her ears. They are not bothering her but they will as soon as they are operated on. Just ensure they are kept clean and free from fly strike. If necessary apply sun cream and an insect repelant. Chronic ear infection. Yes this was known although first vet did nothing. Right cruciate rupture. Didnt know about this.Didnt know she had a limp but with her lack of weight I did suggest no exercise. Now it will be NO strenuous exercise at all. Discuss with the vet options and seeing as it has been left this long now decide whether or not it is appropriate to be repaired and what the outcome will possibly be if it is and if it isnt. As she already has arthritic changes maybe appropriate medication to manage this. Open draining pyometra does not have a clear discharge as per what Carlo mentioned. It is tomato soup in colour and if she has just developed it then she has already been in season a short time ago. In short if she had this as such and hasnt been treated then she would be by now pretty close to death as the infection would be huge(even though it is draining) The only course for this is immediate spey. If all her vitals are good and it is thought she could handle surgery then no delay. I have yet to find the probability of it being caused by steroids one I would be going for. Pendulous vagina????? Now not a prolapse??? Would love to see pics. Carlo did you notice anything amiss at all with her in this "girls" department?? I am sure she has had a few bubbas in her time Edited February 7, 2012 by Bullbreedlover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelscats Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) OK just my 5 cents worth here. No forgetting of course that I am not a vet but have seen every problem on the list in peoples dogs in my few years experience :) Chronic unmanaged skin infection. The condition was being managed(did the new vet see the before and after photos???No)Granted it was not managed the way it should of been. I did email my vet pics Bilateral untreated aural haematomas. Yep we know this.Kelly just my opinion...Do not get them fixed. What is done is done with her ears. They are not bothering her but they will as soon as they are operated on. Just ensure they are kept clean and free from fly strike. If necessary apply sun cream and an insect repelant. The vet has told me this tonight Right cruciate rupture. Didnt know about this.Didnt know she had a limp but with her lack of weight I did suggest no exercise. Now it will be NO strenuous exercise at all. Discuss with the vet options and seeing as it has been left this long now decide whether or not it is appropriate to be repaired and what the outcome will possibly be if it is and if it isnt.As she already has arthritic changes maybe appropriate medication to manage this. He has said we CAN have implants put in to secure?? her knee so it dosen't deteriorate as quickly ( i think thats what the reason was )so we are looking at getting that done. Pendulous vagina????? Now not a prolapse???Would love to see pics. I will get some photo's tomorrow Edited February 7, 2012 by kelscats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Carlo11 AND Kelscats - Take a bow - BOTH of you :D. Well said. Thank you Erny I hope and pray that things can get fixed. Kelscats, if you need $ to help with vet fees please call out. I will be honoured to contribute a little. There may be others willing to help. DOL is a mighty and wonderful community! Thanks HonBun, i have an email from my vet that i have just recieved and have posted it below. A donation would be wonderful if you would like to donate please email me for the DCH bank account details on [email protected] Thanks HonBun its muchly appreciated Dear Kelly Re Pearl: Female entire bull dog: Problem list: Chronic unmanaged skin infection: Pyoderma Bilateral untreated aural heamatomas. Chronic ear infection. Right cruciate rupture untreated leading to arthritic changes in the right stifle. Open draining pyometra ( cystic endometritis, or infected uterus) - likely to have been made worse with use of steroid with no antibiotic cover. pendulous vagina due to slack ligaments - likely due to numerous pregnancies. OK just my 5 cents worth here. No forgetting of course that I am not a vet but have seen every problem on the list in peoples dogs in my few years experience :) Chronic unmanaged skin infection. The condition was being managed(did the new vet see the before and after photos???No) Granted it was not managed the way it should of been. Bilateral untreated aural haematomas. Yep we know this. Kelly just my opinion...Do not get them fixed. What is done is done with her ears. They are not bothering her but they will as soon as they are operated on. Just ensure they are kept clean and free from fly strike. If necessary apply sun cream and an insect repelant. Chronic ear infection. Yes this was known although first vet did nothing. Right cruciate rupture. Didnt know about this.Didnt know she had a limp but with her lack of weight I did suggest no exercise. Now it will be NO strenuous exercise at all. Discuss with the vet options and seeing as it has been left this long now decide whether or not it is appropriate to be repaired and what the outcome will possibly be if it is and if it isnt. As she already has arthritic changes maybe appropriate medication to manage this. Open draining pyometra does not have a clear discharge as per what Carlo mentioned. It is tomato soup in colour and if she has just developed it then she has already been in season a short time ago. In short if she had this as such and hasnt been treated then she would be by now pretty close to death as the infection would be huge(even though it is draining) The only course for this is immediate spey. If all her vitals are good and it is thought she could handle surgery then no delay. I have yet to find the probability of it being caused by steroids one I would be going for. Pendulous vagina????? Now not a prolapse??? Would love to see pics. Carlo did you notice anything amiss at all with her in this "girls" department?? I am sure she has had a few bubbas in her time Hi Bullbreedlover - In regard to her ears,my vet said the damage was done and to apply sunscreen and repellant daily which I did, this being Filtabac and Repel x. My vet was aware of her limp but said it was an old untreated injury and maybe could be managed with glucosamine but not to worry too much about it as again the damage was done . . . Her vaginal discharge was clear stringy mucus which left her bed often sticky and attracted flies.He said that the Cephalaxin she was on would help but to bring her back if there was any change or worsening.There was some bloody discharge in the first 3 days I had her but then it turned clear. My vet saw her 3 times and I also took her to an experienced groomer/vet nurse for a look over in her own time and nobody ever mentioned a prolapse.Her vagina,the outside walls of it seemed saggy but no mention of prolapse at all. He said that she would never again be a perfect dog re her limp,saggy boobs and ears but she would improve greatly in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 I dont know if you will take the issues any further Carlo. It is not for me to say but I am disappointed in the things the vet didnt do. If it was ME I would be contacting the vet again, but bearing in mind they were generous enough to not charge for the consults I dont know what the outcome will be. In saying that there are issues like the discharge and the ear mites which should of been diagnosed properly. In time(and it wont happen over night as we all know) Pearl will be as good as she will ever be, saggy boobies, limp and all. Kelly once again you have to way up the odds of an implant and recovery and quality of life for Pearl. Recovery from this op is going to be slow and steady and not cheap. If her quality of life at the moment is such that with medication, and controlled exercise she will lead a near normal life without the op then I would personally advise not to have the op done just to reduce the limp. I dont mean for you to take this the wrong way and I am not being harsh, but Pearl is not a younger girl that may easily bounce back from this type of op. She looks like she is coping and has obviously coped since she has done the damage. There are some wonderful products out there that will help with joint issues if this can be maintained. And also bearing in mind that this op will be in addition to her spey. Just a few thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelscats Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Kelly once again you have to way up the odds of an implant and recovery and quality of life for Pearl. Recovery from this op is going to be slow and steady and not cheap. If her quality of life at the moment is such that with medication, and controlled exercise she will lead a near normal life without the op then I would personally advise not to have the op done just to reduce the limp. I dont mean for you to take this the wrong way and I am not being harsh, but Pearl is not a younger girl that may easily bounce back from this type of op. She looks like she is coping and has obviously coped since she has done the damage. There are some wonderful products out there that will help with joint issues if this can be maintained. And also bearing in mind that this op will be in addition to her spey. Just a few thoughts. Thanks Bullbreedlover! I will discuss this further with the vet and with my co ordinators of our rescue and make sure the right descion is made for Pearl. I adopted my Aussie Lulu from the pound in November 2010 and 3 months later her cruciate ligament snapped?? ( is that the right word )? and she was 7 when this happened. I had her surgery done and after that she had 8 weeks of physio that i did myself and she done really well. Lulu will be 8 next month and her leg is great she runs and chases the ball does everything well like she did before her op. If the vet thinks that Pearl will recover like Lulu did and can lead a great life im all for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 My dog has done both cruciates. When the first one went, she had a TPLO done at a specialist clinic. When the second one went, I spoke to my local vet and he suggested there was no rush to get surgery done. So I kept her fairly quiet (no walks) and put her on anti-inflams for 2 weeks. She is also on glucosamine and Sashas Blend. She is now completely sound! If she goes lame again I will do surgery, but I would definitely try the supplements first with Pearl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajtek Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Kelscats, my bully girl did her cruciate ligament when she was 3~4. Recovery process was long. ~4 years later there is no sign of trouble. I am sure you will do what is best for Pearl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelscats Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Thanks HonBun, Im heading out for awhile but please check back later as i have some new pics of Pearl to add that i took this afternoon :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycake Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I've been following Pearl's story and Carlo and Kelscats you have both done/doing a great thing for her. I too would like to give a donation to help with Pearls treatment. I grew up in the Gong........so it's kinda close to home (old home). I just can't understand why people have pets and then neglect them makes me so Kelscats I shall send you an e-mail about details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelscats Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I've been following Pearl's story and Carlo and Kelscats you have both done/doing a great thing for her. I too would like to give a donation to help with Pearls treatment. I grew up in the Gong........so it's kinda close to home (old home). I just can't understand why people have pets and then neglect them makes me so Kelscats I shall send you an e-mail about details. Thank You very much to the 3 ladies that have donated to Pearl's vet treatment. It is very much appreciated :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelscats Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Here is a couple of Pics of Pearl taken this afternoon 8.2.12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 My hands are just itching to massage great dollops of soothing herbal cream onto her poor back, (probably the vet's stuff is much better though :-D ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 Hi Pearl! You are still smiling gorgeous girl! I just want to make a few things clear to people about Pearl. Pearl came from a situation that was quite simply appalling and once I had seen her at the house,I couldnt forget her.I persisted with the owners for six weeks to have her surrendered to me.The very next day,I took her to my vet and began treatment which was primarily Cephalaxin and Prednisone and frequent washes in Malaseb.My vet waived the consult fee and I paid for the meds etc. I knew I would need help with rehoming her so I contacted the British Bulldog Club of NSW.They were helpful and said they would help and cover all her costs via reimbursement.So I continued on treating Pearl for another few weeks and she was improving but I had no one to ask for advice so I rang the Club back to check in and give them an update on Pearl.Lets just say that it became clear that they were in no position to help Pearl and for reasons I wont go into on here,they are now effectively defunct. I then started this thread on here to gain support and advice on Pearl and her health isssues.Through this,I met Kelscat and Pearl is now in good hands and has the best shot at life she can have.So its been a meandering road with Pearl . . . . In my honest opinion, my vet could have done a lot better with her.I think that because she bounced from the Breed Club back to me,he tried to keep the costs down so didnt do testing eg uterine probes so failed to diagnose the true extent of her poor health.At all times,he was very helpful and supportive to the best of his capabilities.I dont want to say too much but Im looking for a new vet now for my own animals as whilst his prices may be low,that doesnt cover a multitude of sins. I truly hope that Pearl can regain her health.It took many years of neglect and abuse for her to end up like this and I will never understand how they could see her every day,stuck under that house in the dirt openly bleeding from her sores and do nothing.If I came across a similar situation again,Id act in the same way and assist the dog but I have learnt so much from this episode id be in a better place and state of knowledge to do what is right eg find a vet who knows what he is really doing.Neighbours must have seen her and did nothing... Kelscat and DCH Adoptions are angels and with their care,Pearl will further improve xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytmate Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Carlo it has been very clear all the way through the thread that you have done all you could do help Pearl. Vets are not perfect and there tends to be a huge variance in whether they tend to opt for minimal or maximum treatment. There are valid reasons for both approaches and I think that probably the two vets were at opposite ends of the spectrum in this regard. A third vet would possibly write a different report. There is also the possibility that the infections became worse in the short amount of time between her leaving you and getting to the new vet. She would have been a little stressed. I've been thinking about this and still don't know what the answer is, but possibly you should talk to the new vet, and ask why he felt it pertinent to put in writing that Pearl's condition was untreated and unmanaged. Maybe organise a meeting with Kelscats, the vet and yourself. The best outcome we can hope for now is that the old vet doesn't miss this type of thing in other dogs. Perhaps by hearing what the new vet has to say, you will be in a better position to know whether you should take it further. The main thing is that Pearl is getting looked after, and that is all because of you really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Carlo, you got her out of there, that was the best thing, so you should be proud of that The vet didn't do the right thing, and although he waived the consult fee, let me tell you they make a HUGE markup on meds, double and triple what they pay for them, so he was still making good money from you, so don't think he was being that kind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 I just feel incredibly guilty that she wasnt treated properly to start with . . .I knew in my gut that her vaginal discharge wasnt right but when a vet says its ok,I listened and obeyed.It seems that you need to be more questioning . . . He opted for minimal treatment but didnt even give me an option to have more invasive diagnostics. Her stomach was bulging and even dopey me thought it odd but he just said it was worms . . .even after I wormed her twice. I will contact Kelscat and hopefully speak to her vet.For my own peace of mind . . .that way,i know that leaving and finding a new vet is the right choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelscats Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 In my honest opinion, my vet could have done a lot better with her.I think that because she bounced from the Breed Club back to me,he tried to keep the costs down so didnt do testing eg uterine probes so failed to diagnose the true extent of her poor health.At all times,he was very helpful and supportive to the best of his capabilities.I dont want to say too much but Im looking for a new vet now for my own animals as whilst his prices may be low,that doesnt cover a multitude of sins. I truly hope that Pearl can regain her health.It took many years of neglect and abuse for her to end up like this and I will never understand how they could see her every day,stuck under that house in the dirt openly bleeding from her sores and do nothing.If I came across a similar situation again,Id act in the same way and assist the dog but I have learnt so much from this episode id be in a better place and state of knowledge to do what is right eg find a vet who knows what he is really doing.Neighbours must have seen her and did nothing... Kelscat and DCH Adoptions are angels and with their care,Pearl will further improve xx Just imagine where Pearl would be if you hadn't persisted with her owners to let you have her! I always wonder the same things as you have said above Carlo11 what about the neighbours that would have seen not only Pearl in that yard but the other dogs aswell. The people that walked past their house over the years and ignored what they could see in this backyard. You were the only person that bothered to stop and help Pearl and for that she and i will be forever grateful she will now get the best possible home she can have and enjoy the rest of her life being treated like she should have all along. Do what you feel is right re the vet as also said above they are all diffrent and a third vet would have probarly come up with a diffrent soloution and treatment. They all have diffrent ideas on how to run their practice and how they do things, like some rescue vets will desex kittens and young puppies where as others will refuse until the animal is 6 months so again its a matter of how diffrent vets run their practice. Just rembember you did the right thing by Pearl from day 1 when you didnt have to you could have been like everyone else and ignored her, you took her into the 1st loving home she has ever had and got her treated by a vet which im sure was the 1st time she had seen a vet! Don't beat yourself up Carlo11 your awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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