Vet trip

On Monday, we noticed Tommy was rubbing his eye more than normal with his paw and that there was 'sleep' on it.  I cleaned his eye with water, but within an hour the 'sleep' had returned...a vet visit I feel...

Booked him in for earlier today.  I was dreading it after the Silver Award which we don't talk about but tried to put that to the back of my mind - calm assertive behaviour otherwise it will go down the lead.

It wasn't Mr Gilmore who saw him which was a bit of a shame.  Tommy skulked round the examination room but I put him on the table once I'd explained what was wrong.

The vet put some drops in his eye and looked through an ultra violet light.  I was holding Tommy's head.  There were no scratches or anything so the vet thought he'd probably just caught his eye when running through the long grass.

The vet put a treat on the table which Tommy ate.  And then I realised the examination was over!  Tommy hadn't freaked at the vet!  I was so pleased...

The vet also mentioned that next time I could bathe the eye in tea (no milk or sugar) for 24-48 hours and that might clear it up without having to use drops or pay for the examination fee!  I never knew that tea could do that!  One to remember I think.

Vet time!

Tommy had his annual vet trip tonight. He has only been to ‘my’ vets once before, and as no harm had been caused, I thought this trip would be easy. But he was so worried, bless him! He was quite happy in the waiting room watching the world go by but that certainly changed after I had to drag him into the consulting room! He wasn’t having any of it…

When we eventually 'coaxed' him in, the vet and I thought a sniff round and weigh might settle him. Tommy now weights 9.35kg! That's a 1.5kg or 20% increase, but the vet said he doesn’t look fat, his ribs are nicely defined and his spine is covered, so that’s ok. It’s probably down to more body mass. We then got him on the table where the vet listened to his chest and checked to make sure Tommy’s chip was still readable, which it was. Tommy had his standard boosters and kennel cough up the nose. All without problem but he took some persuading to eat his treat!

Mr Gilmore, in my opinion, is an excellent vet. He stands away from the table and never looks the dogs in the eye unless he has to. When he examines the dog he seems to choose his moments, and is quick, but gentle. What needs to be done is done very quickly and without undue stress. We talked about pet insurance, as I’m still unsure as to what breed of dog I should class Tommy as – JRT, JRTx or general mixed breed. Mr Gilmore said that he would be happy to sign off documentation stating JRTx. He then went onto say that JRT are very healthy, sturdy breeds and don’t seem to have any inherent problems that a lot of pure breeds do. I didn’t have the heart to say I wanted it more for the public liability! He also cracked a joke saying he’s a fine dog, looks very healthy but could do with some plastic surgery on his ear! I am happy to pay more for his services.

Downes pt 2

It was really nice at the vets tonight – well, I thought so. The vet came out to me first and asked how I was, and then asked about Tommy – where I got him from, any issues I’ve come across, what history I was given. We then went through to the consultation room. The door was shut and Tommy had a good sniff round. He was weighed (7.85kg) and after he settled he went on the table. Ears, eyes, nose and teeth checked. Couple of treats and then the Kennel Cough vaccination. It’s sprayed up the nose so it was my job to hold his head in the pit of my arm. All ok. We chatted about his allergy, and his coat not growing back under his chin. He said I could up the flea treatment to every three weeks. He also said that I’ve only had him 7 weeks; he has had to adjust to his new home, new rules, diet, exercise programme, routine and new people. Even though he has now got a better life, he didn’t know that to start with. I suppose I forget that bit.

Downes and Partners

I’ve called my old vets to see if my old vet (!) is still there. He is. I asked how much the Kennel Cough vaccination is - £6.00 more expensive than the RSPCA vets. Do I pay the extra and have a vet I trust and explains things? Too right I do. We go tomorrow. The receptionist asked if it’s a new addition to the family ‘because I’m sure Rocky the Chicken doesn’t need it’

Vacs done!

At last! Tommy had his second vaccination today! I feel that we are getting somewhere and I can start to enjoy him more, because there is now no, or little, threat of catching the diseases that he needed to be vaccinated against! Hurrah!

Vets again

Another update from Amba. She was off lead in the woods…wish I could let Tommy off.


Tommy went to have his stitches out today. The nurse put a muzzle on him whilst she done it. I felt sorry for him but he did behave – honest! They also gave him his worming tablet and I picked up some more flea treatment. Another £40.00 that I wont see again. I wish I was enjoying him more.

Perfect day

Today was the kind of day I’d been hoping to have all week with Amba. Firstly, I took Tommy into work to clear that I could bring him in next week (cant leave him at home with that cone on.) And then we went to see Sarah and her two girls. He was so good. Laid in the garden, let the girls fuss him without getting grouchy, he was just a joy to have around. We went out for a walk and it depressed me a bit that I couldn’t let him off lead, but I know one day I will, I’m sure.


We went up a ‘dog friendly’ pub tonight because I didn’t fancy leaving cone head by himself. He was completely unfazed by it all. The train was exciting, pub was excellent and he eventually fell asleep on boyfriends friend lap. Ah bless.

There haven’t been many updates on Amba recently. I hope she’s doing ok

Vet trip

Took Tommy to have his balls off, first vaccinations and claw clipping. They seemed very ‘offish’ at the vets. Not like my old ones. I picked him up at about 4:30 and couldn’t help but feel sorry for him with his huge cone! He must wear it to stop him ripping his stitches off. Back at the house he crawled into his bed and looked very sorry for himself. I immediately took pictures and texted them to everyone I know ;-). Half an hour later I realised he could reach his stitches so back to the vets for a bigger cone. He has taken to wearing it quite well. Not.