2 dogs, 2 vets, 2 surgeries. That was the plan for today, with full expectation of having both my girls back home with me by evening, groggy and, possibly, grumpy, but home.
Best laid plans ...
I took the day off work so I could handle the logistics of 2 vets and 2 drop off and pickup times. Peanut was dropped off first at 7:30. She has a broken molar on one side and a cracked tooth on the other that were going to be extracted. But, because she has a heart murmur, they planned to do a chest x-ray before giving her any anesthesia. The look she gave me when I left her tore at my heart.
While there I picked up Angel's x-rays of her left rear knee. Her appointment was at 9:30. She has a torn ACL, like a footballer's injury. It isn't healing after 2 months and she barely puts that foot on the ground despite 2 months of pain pills and anti-inflammatories. We got to the specialist at 9. I filled out papers while Angel made the acquaintance of a heeler mix called Sony, with a leftover bump from a bee sting.
After the nurse took down all of Angel's information, but before the doctor came in, I got a call from the first vet. The x-rays showed that Peanut's heart is enlarged and they don't want to put her under without the okay of a cardiologist. I tell the vet I will make an appointment and will pick up Peanut as soon as I am finished with Angel. Fortunately, the cardiologist is in the same location I am at right now.
The consultation with the surgeon was both comforting and disturbing. Comforting in that she doesn't expect me to cage Angel. I don't have a cage. And in the fact that she says most dogs gain back full use of their leg in only a couple months. Disturbing in that it was almost twice the cost I was expecting. Ouch.
I look at my sweet girl and know that I can't not have it fixed. She is only 3. She deserves the chance at a happy, healthy life. I sigh and agree. Then learn that she will have to spend the night. This is a momentary concern because I need to go into work tomorrow, but they are happy to keep her until 4. And maybe the extra day immobile will be good for the knee.
I make the financial arrangements and she is dragged away from me, my heart breaking again. Then I make an appointment with the cardiologist for Peanut.
Back to the first vet to pick up Peanut. They give me her x-rays now for the cardiology appointment so I don't have to remember to come back. Peanut and I get home and she looks all over the house for Angel.
The house is quiet, too quiet. Angel is a large presence and always nearby. It is going to be a long 28 hours until I get her back.
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