Here's the brief medical
history of the beloved
Cocker Spaniel.
The Cocker Spaniel was born
in Sep 1998. Spayed at an
early age by Vet 1 who was
the sole vet for the next 11
years, till the recurrence
of bladder stones in 2009.
Bladder stones removed by
Vet 1 a few months ago. Vet
1 sold a fish-based brand of
food - recommended feeding
it. Stones presented in the
bladder again as evident by
blood in the urine.
1. Aug 27, 2009. 11
years old. Bladder stone
removal surgery.
She brought the dog for
treatment of blood in the
urine. Her father had said:
"Why spend on treatment when
$500 can buy a new puppy?"
2. Jan 30 2010 at 12
years old. Breast tumour
surgery. Breast tumours at
left MG4 & 5 removed by me.
3. July 13, 2010.
Lateral ear canal
resection of the right ear.
The right ear stank. The
left ear was not smelly. The
right ear was filled with
pus and was inflamed and
itchy.
No more visits from the
owner for the next 3 years.
The Cocker Spaniel was
weaker and weaker in 2012
and was treated by another
vet. She died in Dec 2012
according to the young
lady. The dog would be 14
years old. The young
lady works for a famous US
company unlike the childcare
centre when I met her.
"What do you feed after
2nd bladder stone surgery?
Any recurrence?" I wanted to
update myself as 3 years had
passed by so fast.
"Boiled vegetable and
chicken meat as advised by
you."
"Were you strictly
disciplined on this feeding
regime?" I asked. "Did you
ask your mum to cook for the
dog? You must have fed a lot
of vegetables!"
"I cook myself," she
said. "Boiled cabbage and
carrots are sweet when
boiled. She loved it."
"Is she very thin on this
diet?" I asked.
"She is OK," she said.
"Her weight was maintained
at 12-14 kg."
"How you weigh her?"
"I use the human weighing
scales." she said.
This diet did not result
in bladder stone recurrence.
"My dog died of old age at
14 years in December 2012,"
she said sadly as she
recalled her management of
the old companion. "She was
getting weaker every day and
was treated by at (a vet
practice).
No breast tumour
recurrence. The right ear
was slightly smelly and
needed cleaning. Overall,
the dog owner was satisfied
with the clinical outcome.
The dog had lived a good
life, much loved, to a ripe
old age. She typifies the
younger generation who cares
very much for the older dog. |