Sunday, November 16, 2008

Another Scare

A bad morning yesterday. Herbie's been coughing the last couple of nights, and yesterday he wouldn't eat his breakfast. He wanted to come out for a walk, but after a couple of hundred yards, he turned for home. He'd had enough. Once home, he was gasping for breath, lying with his neck stretched out and back, like a swan about to fly.

I called the vets, crying, and they said to bring him right in. I've always known that secondary tumours would develop, and lung tumours are high on the list of probabilities. The new junior vet (they're the ones who have to work weekends) listened to Herbie's chest, took his temperature, then said "There are a lot of respiratory infections around at the moment. Let's try antibiotics first, rather than go for a chest x-ray."

Twenty-four hours later, Herbie's breathing is fine, he is bright and lively, and wants all his meals and everyone else's meals too. Yesterday I was so convinced that I was taking him on his last trip ever, that now I feel silly. We have to go back to the vets tomorrow for a check-up, nd I'm going to have to apologise for crying all over their nice clean surgery.

PS A big hello to Jenna and her blog - hope the treatment goes well!

10 comments:

Lesley Rigby said...

What a relief! I was reading through thinking Oh God, oh God, and then wonder dog bounces back. How lucky are you two? It's simply amazing and wonderful!!! Shower that boy with kisses.......

Emily and the Labradors said...

I always hold my breath checking your blog (sorry, can't help it) and this time I had to hold my breath as I was reading the entry too. I can't believe how many bullets it would seem Herbie has dodged! What a sweet stubborn guy you have!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

I'm so glad it was just a scare, traumatic as that must have been for you.

Big snuggles for the boy!

Ari_1965 said...

Nah, no apologies necessary, I'm sure. It was worth crying about.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Herbie, you are a Wonder Dog!! Bless you for the spirit you have! What a relief to hear that he's bounced back from the infection. I'd have been balling like a baby were I you at the vets with Herbie in distress like that.

Hugs and kiss and lots of thoughts coming your way!

Anonymous said...

Eat, Herbie, Eat!!! But do not scare us again like that, okay??

Hope Herbiekins catches up on all his calories all week long!

PHEW!!!

LSF said...

My heart was in my throat while I was reading your post. No need to apologize to anyone, and no need to feel silly. I am so happy that Herbie is fine!!

Anonymous said...

Pheeeewwwww - thanks goodness all was well! It's great to hear that he's generally doing really well and defying veterinary 'norms'. How are you holding up?

Fiona said...

Oh Thank goodness for that!
When I started reading I really thought....
Hugs to all of you xxx

HandH said...

Graham, I'm hanging in there, but I'm tired - it's been a long haul. Hope the dog-menders have been working hard at your house and that the worst of the injuries are behind you!