jimard8 said: That all goes well

All best wishes for the little guy.

Thanks for the kind thoughts. Dr. Mixson just called and said he is in recovery. We have to wait until 2 PM to get him - I guess I'd better do something useful to fill up the time. Then I plan to sit and let him sleep the rest of the day away in my lap. I want my little buddy home!

You will both be happy to have him home.

I did take Lily for an exercise walk but since it is damp and so chilly out there after the rain we did not go on a long walk as we often like to do. Maybe if we get some sunshine tomorrow things might dry up some or just the weather feel nicer.

Charlie is back and asleep in his crate/bed - his safe spot - he sleeps there every night covered completely by his blanket - door not shut - he can come out anytime he wants to, but obviously likes it there. He slept in my lap for a while right after getting home, ate a light supper, and went to his spot. I will have to wake him up later for bedtime potty, but he is okay for now. The vet wants to put him on a program called "Pulse Therapy" which gives clindamycin drops for 5 days at the first of every month - this is supposed to reduce the bacterial load in a dog's mouth. I am a bit dubious about this as long term antibiotic treatment seems to also cause digestive problems in my experience. Do any of you have any experience with such a program?

Don't know anything about it. I would just say that ESPECIALLY if on antibiotics then giving probiatics becomes very important.

Is this something that is supposed to help reduce the frequency of cleaning being needed? I haven't heard of it, but if that's what it is for, I want to know more!

Stillwood -- I don't have any experience with the "pulse" antibiotic therapy, but I do know that it's used for humans as well... could be somewhat of a tradeoff, but if you like and have confidence in your vet I would follow his/her advice.

Katie so sorry to hear about Sugar

Weedwhacker - it seems to be a dilemma in our strange world today that we actually listen to our professionals (vets, doctors, etc.) and then go on Google to see if folks there confirm our vets, etc. advice. I realize that I am part of that mindset when my first thought was to see what the web had to say. Maybe it is partly because medical professionals too often seem too busy to really talk to us and explain things. So we look to see what total strangers with completely unknown credentials say - they can sound so smart and authoritative until you start investigating what agenda or product they are actually promoting. Dr. Mixon (the vet) is not one that does not explain - she explains things and I guess it was my fault that I did not get more information from her. I told her I would think about the Pulse therapy and I will.

I know these little dogs frequently have dental problems in spite of recommended cleanings - those mouths are just too small. So although it may not be ideal to have antibiotics every month, that may be the tradeoff. His liver values are also going in the wrong direction. So I guess I will just have to do what seems best for him right now (liver, teeth, eye) and let the future take care of itself when it comes.

Stillwood -- I completely understand what you're saying; very hard to make a decision when there is conflicting info that we don't have enough experience to really evaluate. You will work it out, and then just know that you did your very best!

Depending on which liver values are going in the wrong direction, and of course which direction that is, when my dog's liver values were going up, the vet suggested milk thistle and Sam-e. That combination got our guy's numbers back into normal ranges. (Not trying to play vet here, just for information.)

Good to hear Charlie's back home.

I don't know if you ever said but do you brush your dogs teeth everyday? I know my vet stressed how important that was way back and I have been brushing Lily's teeth absolutely everyday.

Plato sends some holiday greetings to all...



Waiting for his walk.

Lily would like to thank Plato for Holiday Greetings!!

We just came in from our exercise walk. Have to make dinner now for Lily and myself also.

Plato tells me he received a happy telepathic message from way out east earlier today, must of been Lily! lol

I have a VERY bored kitty here (Ziggy) -- he wants to go out, but at 10 degrees Fahrenheit he wants to come back in after about 15 minutes. Then he warms up and wants to go out again... then he comes back in and play-attacks our other cat, Kinja. I put dried catnip on all the cat "scratchy" things (we have 4 of them) today, and that helped a little. It's going to be a really long winter!!

Yah, Shadow wants to run outside every 15 minutes, but with his shaved belly, I can't let him stay out in these single digit temps we're having!

That's for sure, Woofie -- and Shadow probably wonders why the heck his belly is so cold!!