Pet care: A big dog, circling flies, and call for help

Sep. 22—First in a series.

Lots of the pets I've treated have lived with horses, cattle, chickens and goats. And flies. So many flies that flypaper, flytraps and fly poison are freely deployed in a war of epic proportions. These pests are damaging to creatures great and small.

I had just finished examining and vaccinating a cocker spaniel puppy named Joe when I attempted friendly conversation with his person, a hirsute young man of about 25. I asked how he'd chosen his puppy's name. He hesitated, peering at me from under his bushy mop as though I were dense. Finally he muttered, "Joe Cocker, man." Oh. I hadn't made the connection.

Martha, the rock of our client service desk, was always at the top of her game. As I emerged from the exam room, feeling not so bright, she took charge. Greg Trujillo had just called about his Newfoundland. We knew Sadie. Greg and Susan had taken good care of her, although they'd been a bit generous with the table food. At age 10 years, her joints were struggling under the load. We didn't have Rimadyl yet, but Sadie was getting around a little better. Her folks had actually been somewhat successful in trimming a few pounds from her girth.

Greg was upset. He told Martha that he had to leave home early that morning with his wife Susan; she'd become suddenly ill. As he was hustling her out the door, he noticed Sadie lying in the yard. She'd skipped her breakfast and was unwilling to stand. She had a foul odor and the flies were circling. Was he exaggerating because he was distraught? We never assume that in veterinary medicine. Our patients don't speak a human language. Martha was sure this was an important problem. I didn't need convincing.

Normally Greg was able to help Sadie, tipping the scale at 110 pounds, into his car, but he was calling from the ER. It appeared that Susan had a fulminating case of appendicitis. Could we help their dog at home alone?

Next week: How fast can flies strike?

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