We took Samson back to the vet yesterday after he refused to take a treat. A treat! He never turns down treats! Anyways, he had been acting pretty lethargic for about a month now, especially over the past week, so his not wanting a treat was a red flag that there was definitely something wrong with him. We loaded him up and left him at the vet's for the afternoon so they could do some blood work.
Turns out he has a low platelet count. Other tests didn't turn anything up, but the vet says that every time they see symptoms like this (low platelets, lethargy, fever, and limping) it's a form of lyme disease. Go figure! I'm glad that it's something minor that is easily treated with antibiotics. Sam was already acting more like himself by bedtime last night, so we're happy about that. Hopefully he'll be better before we know it!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Annual Vaccinations
Gave Samson and Abby their annual vaccinations (not including rabies) today. We bought the vaccines from a Tractor Supply Co. and administered the shots ourselves. They took it like champs and acted like they didn't feel a thing; I think this is more a tribute to their animalistic mentality of "acting like I'm in pain just shows weakness," and not so much my amazing skills at giving shots.
Samson was limping again yesterday but we haven't really noticed it since then, though he has been acting really lazy and not wanting to get up off the floor. I don't know if it's the weather or if he's getting arthritis or what. Time will tell, I guess.
Samson was limping again yesterday but we haven't really noticed it since then, though he has been acting really lazy and not wanting to get up off the floor. I don't know if it's the weather or if he's getting arthritis or what. Time will tell, I guess.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Checkup at the Vet
Samson Stats: 5 years old, 128 lbs.
Abby Stats: 1.5 years old
Samson's birthday was August 31st! Happy birthday, Sam! <3
I took Samson to the veterinarian today for a mini checkup so that we could get more refills for his prednisone (used to treat his allergies during the summer months). I came home on an early lunch break to load him up in the car and take him to the vet. I didn't make a big deal out of it, but Abby knew we were going somewhere and she got pretty excited. Unfortunately, she wasn't coming along. When I walked out with Samson and without Abby, she started barked kind of frantically as though she didn't want to be left alone. I felt so bad for leaving her, because after thinking about it for a minute, she's never been alone in the house --Samson has always been there with her -- so I think she didn't want to be left behind. I imagine she was also a little jealous that he was getting to go out and she wasn't. lol I don't know how long she barked after we left, but I don't believe she did it for very long; it's just not really in her personality to do that. By the time I got back from the vet, she was quiet and excited to see Samson. After a little while of greeting and loving on Sam, she noticed that I had come home, too.
As for the vet visit, Sam did ok. The vet is not his favorite place. Though he liked going when he was little, I think that all changed on a particular visit during which they clipped his nails and hit the quick a few times. He never enjoyed going there after that. And really, who could blame him?
Other than the anxiety he was experiencing, he behaved relatively well all things considered. He didn't try to bolt out the door or anything while we were in the waiting room, but he wasn't waiting calmly either -- lots of panting and restlessness instead. The vet finally came to weigh him and give him a good once-over. He weighed 128 lbs, and she said he looked good. So yay! New Rx of prednisone! :D
In other news, Abby likes to climb up on the couch a lot these days. She'll crawl up there usually when Travis is there on his laptop and she scoots close enough to him so that she's sure to be touching hm. It's pretty cute. And yesterday, she decided to just sit up there by herself for a little while. It was pretty funny:
Abby Stats: 1.5 years old
Samson's birthday was August 31st! Happy birthday, Sam! <3
I took Samson to the veterinarian today for a mini checkup so that we could get more refills for his prednisone (used to treat his allergies during the summer months). I came home on an early lunch break to load him up in the car and take him to the vet. I didn't make a big deal out of it, but Abby knew we were going somewhere and she got pretty excited. Unfortunately, she wasn't coming along. When I walked out with Samson and without Abby, she started barked kind of frantically as though she didn't want to be left alone. I felt so bad for leaving her, because after thinking about it for a minute, she's never been alone in the house --Samson has always been there with her -- so I think she didn't want to be left behind. I imagine she was also a little jealous that he was getting to go out and she wasn't. lol I don't know how long she barked after we left, but I don't believe she did it for very long; it's just not really in her personality to do that. By the time I got back from the vet, she was quiet and excited to see Samson. After a little while of greeting and loving on Sam, she noticed that I had come home, too.
As for the vet visit, Sam did ok. The vet is not his favorite place. Though he liked going when he was little, I think that all changed on a particular visit during which they clipped his nails and hit the quick a few times. He never enjoyed going there after that. And really, who could blame him?
Other than the anxiety he was experiencing, he behaved relatively well all things considered. He didn't try to bolt out the door or anything while we were in the waiting room, but he wasn't waiting calmly either -- lots of panting and restlessness instead. The vet finally came to weigh him and give him a good once-over. He weighed 128 lbs, and she said he looked good. So yay! New Rx of prednisone! :D
In other news, Abby likes to climb up on the couch a lot these days. She'll crawl up there usually when Travis is there on his laptop and she scoots close enough to him so that she's sure to be touching hm. It's pretty cute. And yesterday, she decided to just sit up there by herself for a little while. It was pretty funny:
Sunday, August 21, 2011
A Walk in the Grove
We took Samson and Abby to the Grove on campus today. Coach Nutt was giving a welcome speech to all the incoming freshmen, so we thought it'd be a good opportunity to socialize the dogs. Anyways, we harnessed 'em both up and loaded them into the car and drove out to the Grove. Samson always sits patiently in the back seat and looks out the side window. Abby on the other hand stands up the whole time and sticks her head in between the front seats and looks out the front windshield. Once we got on campus, Samson started whining eagerly as he saw people walking around outside; he gets so excited. lol
After we parked and got out of the car, we walked the dogs around and Abby saw her first squirrel. I hadn't realized it, but she's never really seen a squirrel before! She wanted to chase after it, but she behaved and was easy to hold back. It was pretty funny, though.
Samson behaved really well as usual. He loves meeting new people. He usually wears out pretty quickly in this humid heat, though, and it wasn't even all that hot today. So we just made a small circle through the Grove, then headed back to the car.
In other news, Oscar kinda chewed up our camera. Nothing major, just superficial damages, but it really pissed off Travis so now we're in the market for a new camera. lol C'est la vie.
After we parked and got out of the car, we walked the dogs around and Abby saw her first squirrel. I hadn't realized it, but she's never really seen a squirrel before! She wanted to chase after it, but she behaved and was easy to hold back. It was pretty funny, though.
Samson behaved really well as usual. He loves meeting new people. He usually wears out pretty quickly in this humid heat, though, and it wasn't even all that hot today. So we just made a small circle through the Grove, then headed back to the car.
In other news, Oscar kinda chewed up our camera. Nothing major, just superficial damages, but it really pissed off Travis so now we're in the market for a new camera. lol C'est la vie.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Summer Summary
Abby Stats: 1.5 years old
Samson Stats: almost 5 years old
Just a recap of how the dogs have been this summer. They've been really itchy most of the time, especially the past few weeks; I think it's the changing weather and pollen in the air. Of course there's also the usual amount of shedding, not better or worse, just pretty consistent.
The past few nights, we've noticed Samson limping a little and favoring his right back leg. He did this a couple of months ago, too, and it eventually went away. I wonder what it could be...
Samson Stats: almost 5 years old
Just a recap of how the dogs have been this summer. They've been really itchy most of the time, especially the past few weeks; I think it's the changing weather and pollen in the air. Of course there's also the usual amount of shedding, not better or worse, just pretty consistent.
The past few nights, we've noticed Samson limping a little and favoring his right back leg. He did this a couple of months ago, too, and it eventually went away. I wonder what it could be...
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Eweeeee
Came home from work today and found yellow vomit on the livingroom carpet. Ugh. I don't think I'll ever not have a moment of terror as a knee-jerk reaction to what happened with Ellie. I'm pretty sure it's nothing but maybe hunger or your everyday run-of-the-mill upset stomach or something. Both of Abby and Samson acted totally normal when I let them out - the usual barking, running, and rolling in the grass.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Abby Likes TV
Abby Stats: 1 year and 7 months
Samson Stats: 4 (almost 5) years
Abby is becoming more affectionate, and slowly but surely she is calming down. She likes to get up on the couch with us sometimes, but she usually only sits still for a few moments then tries to play or just won't sit still.
We've been getting a couple of weeks of free the National Geographic channel, and it turns out that Abby's favorite show is the Dog Whisperer. lol She'll sit right in front of the tv and watch it for the longest time. It's pretty funny.
Abby and Samson have both been shedding a lot. We gave them both good baths last week and the week before. It's really helped, especially with Abby, but Samson is still shedding a fair bit.
Speaking of Sam, we need to get him some more allergy pills. He's been itching a lot due to the dry weather, pollen, and loose hair. I wish the vet wouldn't make it so hard for us to get the pills. I mean, at this point it's just something that we have to deal with when it comes to Samson; I don't see why the vet thinks he has to examine Sam every time we ask for a refill on his Rx, especially considering how long it takes us to go through the a single batch. Oh well...
We took Abby and Samson to visit the nieces while they were in town staying with the nephews who now live here. Abby did really well with all of the other dogs and all of the kiddos. Samson, as usual, mostly just hangs out. Abby on the other hand, likes to try to play with the dogs and kids. She did really well, and was especially gentle with Millie, the new Boston Terrier puppy that my nephews now have. I wish we hadn't forgotten the video camera when we went to visit.
Samson Stats: 4 (almost 5) years
Abby is becoming more affectionate, and slowly but surely she is calming down. She likes to get up on the couch with us sometimes, but she usually only sits still for a few moments then tries to play or just won't sit still.
We've been getting a couple of weeks of free the National Geographic channel, and it turns out that Abby's favorite show is the Dog Whisperer. lol She'll sit right in front of the tv and watch it for the longest time. It's pretty funny.
Abby and Samson have both been shedding a lot. We gave them both good baths last week and the week before. It's really helped, especially with Abby, but Samson is still shedding a fair bit.
Speaking of Sam, we need to get him some more allergy pills. He's been itching a lot due to the dry weather, pollen, and loose hair. I wish the vet wouldn't make it so hard for us to get the pills. I mean, at this point it's just something that we have to deal with when it comes to Samson; I don't see why the vet thinks he has to examine Sam every time we ask for a refill on his Rx, especially considering how long it takes us to go through the a single batch. Oh well...
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