Oreo is sick again! New vet update msg 24

[Scooter's Mom]

Oreo saw the other vet this morning... Dr. De Monte, instead of Dr. Wooton. She gave him eye drops that were for pain, said that his eyes were terrible... but if we say they're better than they were Thursday she'll take us at our word. (She wasn't there on Thursday.) We have to take him in next Saturday to have his eyes re-checked. She is really concerned about how they look, even with us telling her they are improved.

She gave us some shampoo/conditioner to bathe him in once a week. We are supposed to try trimming his face hair this week, too.

Also, she said she detected a slight heart murmur. But, she says that could be a result of eveything else that is going on - some dogs have it happen while sick with other things and then it clears up. So we have to keep an eye on that, too.

Overall, not a bad report I think... not the greatest but it could have been worse.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope that the meds will help him and that he'll feel better soon. I'm sending some prayers and positive thoughts his way.

[Emeraldgreen]

Sounds like Oreo is on alot of different meds. I hope the eye drops for pain that the vet prescribed today will help him feel more comfortable.
Prayers that he will improve over the week and have a good re-check next Saturday.

[Ginger's Mom]

I am glad to hear that Oreo is improving every day. I didn't see this until just now, and will add Oreo to my prayers.

[Rachel]

Oreo's allergies seem to affect him in the same manner as Tucker's do with a discharge from his eyes. Tucker also gets ear gunk. On the positive side, Tucker responded very well to the feeding him the kangaroo kibble from the vet and until just recently, we have been able to keep the problem in relative control.

Once when we couldn't get the kangaroo meal, we had to take the fish and potato one which you said you were prescribed for Orea. That wasn't effective for him, but with allergies, everything depends on the individual. I just mention this so you know there is another kind out there should you need to try something else. It is also made by Iams and is called KD.

[Scooter's Mom]

In addition to everything else, Oreo's ears are incredibly infected. Yep, again. The vet wants us to buy this prescription for him... Fluconazole (I think that is right) - 90 capsules is $49.95. I have spent $270 on him that I really didn't have, and now they want us to buy this medicine too... *sigh*

Do I not buy the medicine and hope his ears clear up again? Do I let him suffer with his ears now that we're making progress on his eyes and other stuff?

At least he can SEE again; and we can see the real color in his eyes instead of RED again.

I hate this whole being broke thing.
Making medical decisions for Oreo shouldn't come down to this decision.

[4 Dog Mother]

I am glad that you feel that Oreo is improving despite what the other doctor said. I think we know better because we are with the dog more. About meds, I have been getting mine from Canada. They are significantly cheaper - right now Jack is taking one that costs $90 from the vet and it is $35 from Canada. Snoopy's was also much more affordable - I think his was like half and that means a lot from going to $300 a month to $150. The pharmacy I am using is Canada Drugs. If they have to ship from Canada (like Snoopy's) it takes about 3 weeks the first time and about 2 after than. They also have a pharmacy here (but you contact the one in Canada) and it takes less than a week. That doesn't do much for right now but if he has to stay on it, it could help.

You might also check with the local pharmacies - there can be a remarkable difference in prices on the same medication.

[Catlady711]

In addition to everything else, Oreo's ears are incredibly infected. Yep, again. The vet wants us to buy this prescription for him... Fluconazole (I think that is right) - 90 capsules is $49.95. I have spent $270 on him that I really didn't have, and now they want us to buy this medicine too... *sigh*

Do I not buy the medicine and hope his ears clear up again? Do I let him suffer with his ears now that we're making progress on his eyes and other stuff?

At least he can SEE again; and we can see the real color in his eyes instead of RED again.

I hate this whole being broke thing.
Making medical decisions for Oreo shouldn't come down to this decision.

Sounds like Oreo has a yeast/fungal infection in the ears for that medication to be prescribed. You don't want to let it go untreated or it will just get worse, including possible ruptured eardrums or hematomas from head shaking/scratching which may require surgery. I know it seems like alot of money but it could cost alot more later if you wait.

Ask your vet if you can get a prescription from an online pharmacy or if there's a generic form available that may help lower the cost for you.

Good luck.

[Scooter's Mom]

We took Oreo in for another update this morning. He saw the original vet we saw on Thursday 8.7, not the one we saw last Saturday 8.9. She was very impressed with how well he's recovering. His left eye has a little bit of scarring, but she said he'll adapt and over time will look around the scar and not notice it. (I looked around a scratch in my glasses for nearly a year because I was so poor I couldn't replace them, many ages ago - she said it's like that.)

She said his ears are good... cleaned them out really well for us. We have an anti-fungal medicated shampoo to alternate with the oatmeal one. And she said if all goes well, we should bring him back in 6 months for a checkup, since we're doing steroid treatments for his allergies.

Woohoo--- gooo Oreo!