Sunday, November 6, 2011

Well Vetted


This morning was very cold and crisp but the sun was shining and Koo was ready for his vet check. You have to love a vet that will come out on a Sunday and not charge you extra. And I do love my vet, Dr. Maci Paden. She started out with a general exam and listened to all my concerns about the old guy. He passed the examine with flying colors with only a slight heart murmur that is common in old animals as the valves thicken. His weight was good. He had good tummy sounds and other than some old man skin he was looking pretty good.
Next she sedated him to have a look in his mouth. Llamas can't open their mouth wide like a horse so she was very gentle and slow. He did have some sharp points on his teeth and like I thought had ground his molars down to almost nothing.
A little more sedation had Koo feeling silly but enabled her to get a contraption in his mouth and prop it open. She filed down his sharp points just in case they were bothering him. Getting inside his mouth made me feel a whole lot better since I imagined a big rotten tooth in there. She told me if that were the case he would probably be drooling and you could smell a bad smell. No abscesses and no rotten teeth.
Next she concentrated on pain. Koo has arthritis. Sometimes when he grazes for any length of time he has trouble picking up his head. It takes him a few minutes to work his head and neck up so we know that he has arthritis in his neck. Koo received a little pain medication to see if that helps bring back his appetite.
Last she drew some blood to send to the lab to see if there was some underlying condition that made him not feel like his normal self. She also suggested I change his feed to see if that would entice him to eat again.
The bottom line is that Koo is old...about the same as a 100 year old man and unfortunately he can't tell us what is wrong and how he feels.
I am so glad I had her out to give my boy the attention he deserves even if he can't tell us what hurts.
I love this old boy and today made me love him even more. Especially when he was all drugged up with his head in a contraption and he started to cush and lost his balance and collapsed. He looked so old and vulnerable that I got a lump in my throat and almost cried.
It sucks (I hate that word but nothing else fits) to get old and I'm not looking forward to it. I hope I have a doctor as kind and caring as Dr. Maci to see me through.

8 comments:

Teresa said...

So glad to hear that the diagnosis appears to be old age. As sad as it is, old age is a blessing and a testament to the wonderful life you've given him.

Lisa said...

You're stronger than I am for not crying. I'm misty and I've never even met him. Dumb animals, they sure do get under your skin...

Smiles,
Lisa

frugalmom said...

It sounds like you are doing everything just right. Its hard to watch them age...but hes in great hands with you.
I had to have a vet come out almost a year ago now to get Dollys teeth filed down...she was off her grain and everything...I, like you, saw her lose her footing due to the sedation and just crumple down to the ground...it was very emotional for me. And then to see her laying there with her head propped up and her mouth propped open....it was hard to watch, but Im so thankful for a good vet. And it sounds like you have a good one, too.
Give him a hug for me. And one for you, too.

Melodie said...

Oh,I got a little misty eyed too reading this!Koo is a lucky old man for sure to have such a home that he can be 100 years old and have a good DR. to boot!

petoskystone said...

koo is doing wonderfully for an 'old man'....& i hope he does so for as long as possible! great vet you have :)

Marigold said...

So glad for the Koo man! Is that what they call 'floating the teeth'? You're a great farm mom, Wendy! You are lucky to have your animals and they are lucky to have you. A match made in heaven. :)

Christine said...

Aww, I know exactly how you must have felt to see the old boy go down. They really wrap us around their toes don't they?

Karen C said...

I am so happy that he has a home with you!