With only 2 weeks of the shooting season left, I was beginning to count my blessings that, for the first time in 8 years, none of the dogs had sustained injuries this year – other than the normal cuts and grazes. Counted too soon …………
- Poppy picked up a UTI infection and cystitis which saw her needing to wee every 5 minutes. Metacam and antibiotics.
- Poppy ripped open her nose yesterday. Metacam, hibiscrub and antibiotics.
- Daisy spiked herself on barbed wire causing an arterial bleed with blood pumping out of a leg wound. Managed to stem the flow. Sickness, lethargy, temperature. You guessed it, Metacam antibiotics and hibiscrub.
- Just to add to the financial joy of pet ownership, Sparky the boy cat clocked in with a cool £340 bill for heart and liver issues!
I feel as if I live at the vet’s surgery at the moment. Manor Farm Veterinary Surgery in Codford is just across the road from where we live: they have been superb with us for many years, specialising in working animals, so I am very grateful to all the nurses and vets.
Whilst the significant costs are unwelcome, I am more than happy to spend whatever it takes to keep my pets healthy. For me, it’s part of the deal when you take on any animal. If you can’t afford to care for it, don’t get it.
One more day’s work left for the dogs. I could keep them home, wrap them in cotton wool and keep them out of harm’s way. But they love what they do, they don’t complain when they’re hurt and they live to work. So here’s hoping Saturday evening doesn’t see me once again at the vet’s surgery collecting more …. yes, you guessed it – Metacam and antibiotics!