I haven't written a weekly update in a while. It's been a wild ride the last few weeks for George and I.
I'm going overseas to see family in a few weeks so we've been working with a special needs boarding place. They have a separation anxiety package and cater for special dogs in smaller numbers.
Whilst George is thriving at his normal daycare, they are left alone overnight which he struggles with. They have more dogs so I think two weeks would be overwhelming for George. I also don't want to risk tainting his regular daycare if he has a bad experience - he's been doing so well there.
We've had a meet and greet at the new place and George has had a couple of acclimatisation days. He was very anxious at the meet and greet - barking at all the staff and dogs. I don't think the acclimatisation days have gone terribly, but they also haven't gone great.
They offer a drop-off and pick-up service (which would be excellent as it is even further in the wrong direction from my office) but he was quite vocal apparently when we tried that.
After discussing with the VB, we decided that it would be better for me to drop him off given he is anxious about visitors and around the house. Someone he doesn't know very well arriving at the door and taking him away from his home is probably not the best!
As the trip approaches, we might need to adjust the plan. It is making me quite anxious.
As we were returning from a walk one day, the neighbours came out of their house as we were on the narrow path. George started barking and lunging. He must have had a treat still in his mouth (he hordes them like a hamster sometimes) as he started choking. He was making the most horrible sounds. I dropped all my things. I couldn't find anything in his mouth and didn't want to push it further in. I was just picking up his back legs when he vomited and the treat flew out.
It was so scary. It felt like it lasted a long time. He didn't seem bothered after it but I can still hear those sounds.
On top of that, we've had three visits to the vet with another one due next week. He did well with the first vaccine visit.
Hot off the heels of the kennel cough lockdown, we were faced with another lockdown.
I had a friend staying with me and we went to collect George from daycare. He was very excited to see her. When we arrived at home, he wouldn't get out of the car. I had to lift him out and he immediately lay down on the driveway. Very unusual behaviour. Particularly as a neighbour came out of their house and George ignored them.
Once inside, he appeared to be limping. I was getting ready to go to the emergency vet when he seemed to shake it off.
I was able to examine his paw and it looked very sore - red and inflamed. I wasn't sure if there was a cut or something else.
I rang his regular vet office in the morning and made an appointment. It was traumatic. George was very anxious from the moment we arrived. Unfortunately there was someone putting a cat in the car in the carpark which we tried to avoid but they took a really long time!
Our regular vet wasn't available. The other vet was absolutely fantastic as well but was a stranger to George.
We had to muzzle him. He did OK with the muzzle overall. But when she tried to examine his paw, he was very distressed. His paw was shaved and cleaned. The vet said she couldn't see a cut but it could have been a tiny scratch which got infected. She said it was very infected and he had cellulitis. I couldn't believe it had happened so quickly.
George did snap at the vet once so we were all grateful for the muzzle. He was in a lot of pain.
He was shaking, barking, growling, and huddled on my knee. He jumped into my arms when I was standing up. It was very distressing but I knew it had to be done.
The vet and I were absolutely covered in peanut butter. I had it in my hair, on my face and all over my clothes. From the drive home, I got it all over the car too 😆
The vet couldn’t believe the amount of anxiety medication he was taking. She said he needs more.
We were sent away with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, an antibacterial cleaning solution, an antibiotic cream and a cone of shame. I had to clean and put cream on his paw three times a day. I had to keep it dry and only allow him to toilet on dry concrete if possible.
I got home and had to tell my boss and my team that, yet again, I would have to go into lockdown for 7-10 days. I was grateful that I had my friend staying with me as it was an upsetting day. The thought of being so isolated again was not pleasant.
Over the next couple of days, George improved. The first couple of days cleaning and putting the cream on were rough, but it must have got less painful thankfully as he is so much better now.
He does surprisingly well with the cone - he doesn't mind putting it on at all (he gets lots of treats) and he gave up trying to get it off after a couple of tries. He learned how to rest whilst wearing it.
He did get a bit anxious bumping into things. He bumped into the fence in our garden, and became scared of the garden again. One day he hadn't been to the toilet all day. I decided to take him to the street so he could go to the toilet.
He had his collar on and the cone. I don't normally walk him in a collar (not great for lunging dogs), but I thought it would be OK as we were only going out for a couple of minutes.
He did his business and I turned to walk home. As I did so, George suddenly pulled back and slipped out of his collar. He looked as surprised as I was.
He then seemed to panic and ran straight across the road and down the street. I was trying to stay calm, approaching him slowly and calling his name in a cheerful voice.
He looked so vulnerable and scared. Luckily, he did wait for me and I was able to get hold of him. I managed to keep hold of him while getting the collar out of the cone to put back on. Cars were going past all the time and I was praying we wouldn't see a dog or person which would cause him to bolt.
I didn't want to risk the collar again so I carried him home. I didn't have a spare hand so was wearing the cone on my head like a jaunty hat 😆
It took several minutes for my heartrate to return to normal once we got home. We are never using a collar again.
Then we were back at the vets for his vaccine booster. I was actually grateful we had the appointment so his paw could be checked.
He was anxious outside and in reception but didn't bark at the vet at all. It was our vet behaviourist and he is so much more comfortable with her.
We discussed his medication and have increased his Sertraline. We are getting some Clonidine specially compounded at a higher dose.
Once again, he didn't even flinch or look around when the vaccine went in. She said his paw was healing nicely. She thought it might have been a rash that got infected.
Recently, it seems to have flared up again a little so I am keeping a very watchful eye. Unfortunately he is not yet ready for daycare so we are still in lockdown.
We are back at the vet next week for George's first physio appointment. I had asked the VB whether we should postpone given all the recent drama but she recommended we go ahead.
It's been a very challenging time. It's such a lot for an anxious little guy. I am really hoping for some smooth sailing ahead.