Sick Dog, Struggling through summer

Ok, so I know, I definitely know, I have been truly slacking in my blogging. Not only that, I haven't even touched my camera in ... who knows how long?!?

But, aside from simply lacking motivation, I've been a bit slammed with issues. Dexter is my biggest worry, and finances my second biggest right now.

I took Dexter to the vet at the end of August, since I wanted to get his thyroid tested. You see, I didn't want him to die of heart disease, or become disabled in his old age. $320 later, way higher than the vet office quoted me, I discover to my shock that Dexter, in fact, has severe kidney disease.

The vet (the Eardley Veterinary hospital, to which I will never return!!), impressed upon me the urgency of getting Dexter admitted to the emergency Ottawa Vet Hospital and have him on fluids. I took him in immediately - if he was dying, I needed to try to save him.

Three days on fluids and antibiotics, and another $2000 charged to my Mastercard, I was told his numbers are still too high, no change, and so, it could be days or weeks. But, my dog was dying.

I was also told to take him back to my vet for another blood test to check his numbers. I did so three days later, and another $160 dollars at the very unsatisfactory Eardley Vet, only to be told his numbers are still high, so, says the vet (not the same doctor as last visit. I have never seen the same vet twice at that vet, but as I never intend to use them again, I will let that drop).  Anyway, the vet says, "So, now we'll have to check his blood pressure, take an ultrasound..." blah blah blah. Seriously?? I am not rich. And she made me feel like a bad person, like a real heal, when I said we couldn't do that.

Anyway, it's two weeks later, and Dexter seems great. He never even looked sick. And now that I fear we have him on borrowed time, I'm no longer worried about Dexter's weight. I'm letting him eat whatever he wants, as many treats as he can handle.

If he does sicken, at least he's having a really nice life!