Howie Update

Yesterday, Howie went to his first surgical consult with an Orthopedist Specialist from  Angell Animal Medical Center.  After waiting almost an hour past the scheduled time to visit with the doctor (I will get into the total lack of competency in the new England Animal Health Care industry later in this post), Howie was put through 3 tests that helped the doctor pin point where his pain is deriving from.   This took all of about 2 minutes and was sad to watch as each of the tests caused Howie pain. 

The good news is that his condition is probably not Hip Dysplasia-the original diagnosis Angell sent him home with after spending the night in their facility.  Instead it looks to be a problem in the Thoracolumbar spine region (possibly Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease or an infection).  He now needs to see a Neurologist and have either a myelogram or MRI exam to determine his exact condition.  I guess the silver lining around this cloud is that we are moving closer to the cause-and ultimately treatment for Howie’s pain.

Rant:  As I mentioned above, I plan to spend some time bitching about the total lack of competency  within the New England Animal Health Care industry.  This starts with Angell Animal Medical Center.   They have seen Howie three times regarding this condition (one in the emergency room, once for tests after being admitted, and once for a surgical consult).  Each time they have provided a different diagnosis.  Whats amazing to me is that after keeping him overnight to "run tests", the only thing that they seem to have done was take x-rays and have some non-specialist analyze them.  Why would they not have scheduled a consult with a Orthopedist and Neurological Specialist while they had him?  Especially since they charged me $850 for that slumber party.  To boot, they sent him home with the  pain medication that did not help his bowel situation (carprofen (Rimadyl Rx)).

This is where we move to the South End Southbay Veterinary Clinic.  These peeps generally have their game tight (especially Dr. Constantino).  However, when Yavuz and I went to get Howie’s new pain medication refilled (deramaxx 25 mg) the doctor on call ended up being a real charmer. After she learned that we were still giving Howie two doses of that pain medication a day, she publicly scolded us for "taking away his pain but shortening his life…(as we were supposedly)…frying his liver".    ???????????? Yavuz aptly pointed out that it was only 25mg and had her double check the facts.  He learned that normal distribution of this drug is 100mg.  About 2 minutes later she came out-claiming that she had made a mistake.  That we could safely continue him on two doses a day.  What a bizotch! Indeed, if Howie is to suffer liver damage I would like to think it is from bourbon or scotch–not dermaxx (not that he drinks—but I see him consuming that type of alcohol if he did).

Rave:  Props need to go to Yavuz and his mother for helping me care for Howie in this time of need.  Thank you so much!  I am very grateful that you are both in Howie’s life.