v.e.t. ...

Billy & Maisie’s vaccinations and ‘MOT’ today. Both have been lucky and not been to see the vet for ages so it was good to have them checked out and we needed to go anyway to get armed up with anti-scarey stuff for the firework season. Both were declared fine in every way and Billy’s heart still great, yay! I know he’s fine and he’s kept fit and we manage it well, but it’s always there as a background worry. Other vaccinations went in easily but then it was time for the dreaded kennel cough vaccine up their nostrils. Well, Billy loves going to see the vet and revels in every bit of tending and fuss, but he HATES this bit with an absolute passion and it’s not nice. And poor Maisie’s even more disturbed by it. We managed it in the end but I was left wondering whether it’s really worth the trauma … & I don’t say that lightly because Billy’s heart thing was probably started by a bad dose of KC – it can be very serious indeed. If it wasn’t for us getting around so much and mixing with so many dogs at shows, etc. I would opt to not have it, almost definitely. Didn’t think of this till afterwards but I wonder if we can use their firework anxiety meds in future to get them through it, as it’s got worse for both each time as they know what’s coming. :o(
Another thing we talked about was Lungworm – a growing problem in the UK. Advice ‘on the street’ is to use Panacur granules alternating with your normal wormer. Well, apparently you would have to give them this every day for several days for it to kill off the lungworms. The only really effective treatment is Advocate spot-on. Trouble with this is that it’s noted that collies/crosses can have serious adverse reactions. Tests suggest though that they would have to eat about 4 times the recommended dose for it to have a serious effect. Seems it really is quite safe. However she is going to double-check the recommended dose for them – I was particularly concerned about the Tim-thing as Welsh Sheepdogs have a common ancestor with Rough Collies and they are particularly noted as susceptible - due to a gene thing - will stop there before getting boringly scientific ... Billy & Maisie have had it before anyway and been fine. She recommended using it every month – especially in the spring/summer when there are more slugs & snails which carry it. Oh joy, another regular expense! & also to keep using a round/tapeworm one (Drontal) approx quarterly too.
& Tim had some antibiotics and we got some other bits and bats and I got a big fat bill. Will have to send them out with begging bowls and sad eyes soon. Good job they’re worth it.