Split: Split: For Hope and Steve

[Tamara]

Whew, so glad to read that it looks like it’s a bruise from the blood draw and that Steve’s energy and all else are good. Poor Steve, lol. Hope he’s forgiven you.
Sending y’all hugs!
tamara and ashki xoxox

[Hope]

Mary – thank you for that link! Going into the bookmarks now! I don’t know Steve’s exact numbers from his last Bloodwork but i think they were fine. His vet isn’t a fan of giving me copies — he likes to just tell me things but he did say that the only things that were out of range on all of the tests run were 2/3 liver enzyme levels (a little high) and WBC count (a little high), which is apparently normal for dogs in recovery? I’ll call tomorrow and ask – I’m thinking of bringing him in also for a PCV check since it’s been 5 days since his last pred decrease so I can find out. For the control freak in me I would love paper copies of all of this but I am trying to behave and not be pushy because he’s done so amazing with Steve. Is that wrong tho?

Tamara – our fur babes like to keep life interesting right?! Lol

Hugs to all!
Xoxo hope and Steve

[admin]

Hope, I never asked the vet to give me a copy of the lab reports but the receptionist. There was never a question if I should get them or not. After all you payed for the tests and it is so nice to see trends and how things go up and down. I learned so much by looking at these reports over and over. Especially since you are a control freak (so am I:)) it would be nice having them. Most importantly when you “talk” to us you don’t need to guess when you give us Steve’s numbers:) A little high or a little low can mean so much it would be good to have the exact numbers. I think if you are friendly and respectful, how can they say no? Just say you want to learn more and be informed. Tell them you are a visual person and when you just hear those numbers you forget, you just love to see it on paper. Tell him you want to do a spread sheet, guys LOVE spreadsheets:)
Good luck and best wishes,
Brigitte

[admin]

Hi Hope

Glad the link was useful, Patrice posted it once before so I found it from that thread.
I don’t think it is “wrong” not to ask, but it depends on how you feel and if you want to have the results, you should be able to. As Brigitte said, you paid for them! I love her suggestion that guys love spreadsheets ;) and think that’s a great idea. It might be helpful for you to see trends and to know exact numbers.

Have a great weekend and give Steve some belly rubs from us

Mary and Mable x

[admin]

Hi Hope

Glad they think it’s nothing serious – it does look a bit like hyperpigmentation, but my gut instinct is it’s accidental bruising – hard to see. Say sorry to Steve for me! He must have wondered what an earth was going on with you looking through his “bits”! So, just keep an eye out but don’t worry unless it gets worse (I never worry of course, hee hee!).

I agree with Brigitte & Mary – those blood tests are yours because you paid for them – get a copy every time & then you can often see the big picture. I know Tamara has gleaned a lot of information from doing this & I find it rather odd that they are making supplying copies such a big deal – you are only trying to get your Mr Steve better. You know we would be happy to look at anything you are concerned about as well (I still have copies of all his old stuff here). I was always given a copy of every single thing – didn’t even need to ask – but the vets /specialists here don’t seem to have any ego issues whatsoever (???!!!) & speak to me on an equal level. What more can I say?

Anyway, let us know how he’s doing & give him a cuddle to make up for the torture I made you put him through!
Love Sheena & the boys xxxx

[Hope]

Bonjour Brigitte, Mary and Sheena!

It’s sad that I am a (supposedly) functioning adult asking for help on how to ask for copies of Mr. Steve’s records when I have paid a small fortune to his hospital lol — I generally have no problem offending people, and hubs and I joke that we have paid for the Steve and Jeffrey wing in that hospital over the last 2.5 months. The first time I mentioned it it was kind of met with resistance and hubs told me to back off because he really is doing such a great job with Mr. Steve. So I let it go.. I AM a super visual and organizing freak so a spreadsheet actually sounds like my cup of tea lol . I’ve kept one since the day Steve was diagnosed with meds checked off and exact time given, food intake (and any weirdness from it), pee and poo, QUALITY of pee and poo (categories range from: good, good with soft serve, great, awesome!! lol), supplements given, and other section. It’s kind of insane actually. I think asking the receptionist is a VERY good idea and will try to get them when I run him in Monday for a PCV check.
Random question — we need to put steve back on heartworm meds at his internist’s instruction. we asked if we can get the meds from them and the tech told my hubs “no, he’s an internist.” husband didn’t question that but — do they not handle stuff like that? I guess maybe since he’s at a critical care facility maybe they don’t fool with general care things? I was just curious.
Sheena – steve has forgiven me… i gave him a piece of boiled chicken and all was forgotten and lost. as were the tips of my fingers because he took them as well. My sweet pup has been replaced by a food-seeking machine.
Hugs and much much love to all!
xoxo hope and the stinkers

[Vally]

Tourner la page, Nicole est derrière l’arbre and ouvrir la fenêtre. That’s what I can say in French with a beautiful French accent. Of course, I don’t get to use those words in too many sentences.

Hope, I get the problem with asking for reports when they make it plain they don’t think you need them. They have your dog in their hands and you don’t want to upset the apple cart. The reports are never offered to me, but I do ask for them, and they’re given. The fact that I have to ask every time, though, makes it clear to me, that that’s not the norm. I’ve actually tried asking the receptionist to avoid this, but reception tells me I have to speak to the vet. They can’t do anything without the vet’s okay. Blagh blagh blagh.

It’s also very very political here with vets and specialists. My guy by continuing to look after Bingo has put at risk referrals from my local vet. I have some issues with the local vets and the specialist has just kept quietly looking after Bingo there for me. The way it’s supposed to work here is that once they’re not critical, they’re supposed to be handed back to the referring vet for continued treatment.

When Bingo has another non-related problem, I’ll usually run it past the specialist and say, “Bingo’s got some loose teeth. I was going to take Bingo to Annandale for them to check, but if surgery is suggested, is it safe do you think?” The specialist invariably has a look in Bingo’s mouth and has said “if it’s not bothering him, I’d probably leave them alone. If they become infected or seem to be causing pain, well then, yes perhaps get them taken out.”.

When I go to the local place (Annandale), I usually say, I’ve kept him at the specialist as he’s had several relapses and we’re still trying to get him to his lowest dosage – it’s all true, but…..

Love Vally & Bingo

[Hope]

Vally!!

I’m going to try this without cheating…
“Turn the page. Nichole is behind the tree and open the window.” How off am I?
EXACTLY! I don’t want to upset the good mojo we have going here bc I love his specialist.. he really and truly saved Steve’s life I think because his regular vet had no idea what she was doing. But I want the reports too lol — hubs said that he got the vibe that he thought I didn’t think he was doing a good enough job bc hubs ran his mouth and told him that I was reading forums.
Good to know how the general vet vs. specialist system works there — it’s probably similar here. I’m REALLLYYY hoping he’ll let us keep seeing him, even on the sly. He had spoken about putting Steve on allopurinol for the bladder stones in a few months so maybe, hopefully, he’ll keep seeing him. I really want him to.. I just feel so much better about it when he looks after Steve.
Hell, I’m willing to contribute some nice new exam rooms or flat screens for the Steve and Jeffrey wing as long as he’ll have us! LOL!

Hugs,
xoxo Hope et Stefan et Jeffrey