Today I start a series called #dogchronicles.

First off has to be Action. Action was an 8-month old Rottweiler. I remember I first met him when he came in for his routine ARV (AntiRabies Vaccination) at 3 months. He was an active little pup who hadn't begun to show the aggressiveness that Rotts are usually known for. So imagine my surprise when he came in a few months later with a tumour on his right hind limb.
It was obvious to all that he was in so much pain yet he still had a cheerful disposition.
Unfortunately, tests carried out revealed that the tumour was malignant and his human opted to have him put to sleep.
I will never forget that day. It was the 31st of December, 2015. You see, Action was the first dog I euthanized and even though it was painless and quick, I cried and his handler cried as well.
I will never forget.
Action you are fondly missed.

what could have caused this?

#dogchronicles #day2

Colonel, a 1 year old male Rottweiler came to us on 12/12/15. He had been severely wounded/bitten in a dog attack from 2 other dogs. To make matters worse, he wasn't presented to the clinic until about a week afterwards by which time, the wound on his left hind limb was infested by maggots.
Colonel stayed with us for more than 3months. We battled to save the limb, unfortunately necrosis had set in and Colonel eventually lost a part of the limb.
Colonel is one of the top 10 agressive dogs I've ever met. He had previously bitten a staff member and almost bit my boss too. He was definitely a challenge.
After a month and a half of daily dressing, feeding, love and care however, we became friends, more like pals. If he felt anyone was a threat to me, that person was dead meat. With his three legs, he will wobble to the front of his kernel and bark so much and so loud like the gates of hell were falling on him. Oh Colonel!
Did I mention that Colonel could sleep for Africa? In the most awkward position? He would sleep on his dorsum(back), his head twisted towards the floor and his legs raised high in the air and just lie still.The first time he pulled that stunt on me, I was so scared, I thought he was dead.I jangled his kernel door and screamed his name, only for him to lazily turn his head and look at me like, "What's the problem ma'am?" I laughed in relief. Yes, only Colonel!
Colonel never gave up not in the face of seemingly endless antibiotic injections and pain. He endured. I loved watching his healing, it was truly transformative.
I love you, Colonel.

drgbaks:
#dogchronicles #day2

Colonel, a 1 year old male Rottweiler came to us on 12/12/15. He had been severely wounded/bitten in a dog attack from 2 other dogs. To make matters worse, he wasn't presented to the clinic until about a week afterwards by which time, the wound on his lve up not in the face of seemingly endless antibiotic injections and pain. He endured. I loved watching his healing, it was truly transformative.

Wow you really worked wonders on Colonel. It gladens my heart to see people that are passionate our their fellow mammals.

#dogchronicles #day3

Snow's human brought him to us late July 2015 because he was going on Summer vacation and needed a place to keep him(Snow).
I felt an attachment to Snow- an almost 2 year old Lhasa/terrier mix- because I had convinced his owner to keep him with us instead of with his(owner's) aged father.

First day with us, Snow refused to eat anything. I wasn't so bothered because with some dogs that is quite normal given a change of environment. By the 2nd day however, I became worried especially given that his handler has told us his meals consisted of Pizza and Kilimanjaro's (a popular eatery in Port Harcourt) rice. Ha!

We tried everything. Wet dog food(can), dry dog food (Kibble)- nothing. He wouldn't eat, he only took a little milk. I checked all his parameters again (we usually check out a dog before boarding to be sure of his health status). I wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything the first day. My colleague suggested that i give appetite booster, I did.
Third day however, I tried another can dog food and he finished it in seconds- Eureka! I ran to tell my colleague the good news. We had finally found the cure to his inappetence(lack of appetite) or so we thought. The very next day, good old Snow was back to his ways and frustrating the heck out of us all.

We thought, brainstormed and then one day I bought rice from a road side vendor and gave Snow and he finished it in minutes but we didn't rejoice yet. The next day, I did the same, rewarded him with 2 pieces of meat(instead of one) and it was gone in minutes as well (though in all fairness to Snow, he ate the meat pieces first, lol) that was when we jubilated. Finally!!!

Let me take you back to the 2nd day he spent with us.You see as my practice is, when I get to work most mornings, I go round all the kennels, greet each dog personally, give them a pat on the head, dance with the ones that are in the mood to, scold the mean ones, cuddle and tickle others etc. So this day,as I opened Snow's Kennel to do the usual, Snow jumped out, took one look at me and turned on his heels.

End of Part 1.

Magpies:
what could have caused this?

Thanks for reading Magpies. A number of things could have caused this. Majorly environmental and genetic factors cause cancer in dogs. Hormones, viruses, nutrition, pesticides have all been known to increase the risk of cancer in dogs.

The most important thing however is to get an early diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.

Thanks again.

djlaqua91:


Wow you really worked wonders on Colonel. It gladens my heart to see people that are passionate our their fellow mammals.

Thank you djlaqua91 for your kind words.

Wow! this is lovely, I always assumed that Nigeria vets only give vaccinations and deworming and at most castration, I always had d idea DT most were quack, I never knew that there are actually passionate Vets like u and our colleagues, Big Thumbs up to u, I dunnoe wat to say.

I av a few questions I would like to ask:
1)A dog like colonel who has 3 legs due to d bite, could he still be bred?

2) Have u had experience with deformed dogs? and is dere usually hope for them?
3) How common have u seen a case of dogs with crooked legs?
4) Is it possible for two healthy dogs to produce a pup wit one of the legs bad?
5) Could DT pup wit the bad leg be bred and produce pups with no bad legs?

sorry,please where's your location and please how can I get in touch with you?

#dogchronicles #day3

Part 2.

Snow took one look at me and turned on his heels. I had recognized that look and knew he was about to bolt so I stretched my arms to grab him but he was too quick for me and off he went. Dear Lord! I ran right after him. Out of the clinic, down the road he ran. By this time one of our vet techs had become aware of what was going on and joined in the chase. Without thinking (lol), Snow bust unto the road, by this time my heart was in my mouth. I was praying, running, panting, signalling road users to please slow down as there was a dog on the run and calling out to Snow, all to no avail. He kept at it. Then all of a sudden, he turned to me and stopped. I didn't even wait a minute before I scooped him up into my hands, hugged him to my chest like a long lost child and just cradled him my heart beating frantically. That was the beginning of our friendship.

I had learnt my lesson. Thereafter, I always tied his leash before our usual morning routines (which now included running round the clinic by the way). I discovered he was a cuddler(oh, how i love cuddlers) so i taught him to sit and he'll come to my office each day to sit and cuddle.

Snow has such a personality.Everyone loved him, well almost everyone. There were these 2 co-workers with hard 'agbero' faces (lol) Snow disliked them so much. Seeing them from afar off he'ld start barking. We would be cuddling then all of a sudden he would stiffen up and start to bark, getting all worked up, when I look up I would see his 'friends'. Nothing these guys did appeased him. They in turn learnt to dislike him as well. It was so funny.

I remember the week he was meant to go home. I kept praying I would be around to give him a final hug. When the big day came, and I saw the driver I started wailing. Good old Snow just took one look at me and jumped into the car without a backward glance.
I guess he missed his pizzas.

Magpies:
sorry,please where's your location and please how can I get in touch with you?

Hi Magpies. I'm based in Ibadan. You can reach me on 07055250210. Thanks.

Eveezy:
Wow! this is lovely, I always assumed that Nigeria vets only give vaccinations and deworming and at most castration, I always had d idea DT most were quack, I never knew that there are actually passionate Vets like u and our colleagues, Big Thumbs up to u, I dunnoe wat to say.

I av a few questions I would like to ask:
1)A dog like colonel who has 3 legs due to d bite, could he still be bred?
2) Have u had experience with deformed dogs? and is dere usually hope for them?
3) How common have u seen a case of dogs with crooked legs?
4) Is it possible for two healthy dogs to produce a pup wit one of the legs bad?
5) Could DT pup wit the bad leg be bred and produce pups with no bad legs?

Thanks Eveezy.
1. Yes a dog like Colonel can be bred. Such a dog however will need physical support when mounting the female. Also, Artificial Insemination is another option.
2. Yes I have been opportuned to work with some deformed dogs. But the hope is based on what is wrong. Without seeing a case, I can't determine the prognosis.
3. Not very common.
4. Yes it is possible. Such conditions are many times congenital- present from birth but not hereditary.
5. Yes, if the condition is not hereditary.

#dogchronicles #day4

In 2013, during my service year, I met a dog lover who had owned several dogs while growing up. She got my contact, promised to ring me when she got a puppy and that was it.

Several months passed and I forgot about her. Then I received a call and it was Madam X, she had gotten a puppy and wanted me to check it out. We fixed an appointment and that's how I met Husky.

After several home calls and initial treatments, one fateful day, I was called upon to check on Husky- a vibrant Caucasian Mix. He hadn't been his usual friendly self, he had become withdrawn and would hide from his human anytime she wanted to play with him. I got there and did a general checkup. All parameters were normal. To complicate matters, his appetite was top notch. What could be the problem? I told her to continue to monitor him and let me know if anything changed. I thought it was a behavioural problem and would phase out with time. So I encouraged her children to continue to shower adorable Husky with love and attention. But the attitude persisted.

Two days later I was called upon again. This time he was hypersalivating(drooling excessively). I hurried down, consulted with another colleague and gave atropine (a drug which amongst other things helps to reduce saliva production). Asides the hypersalivation, he was normal still and eating voraciously. "So what could the problem be?" I thought perplexed.

Before I left that day, I observed him eat. His owner had served him with a large-chunked dog can food. I noticed that he struggled to swallow. Then I had a thought, I asked her if she usually gave him chicken bones and she answered in the affirmative. That was when I took ahold of Husky and tried to pry open his mouth, he flinched and resisted. I persisted albeit gently and that's when I saw the bone lodged in-between his lower jaws. My goodness! Poor Husky!!

I quickly called his human's attention, she was shocked. With the help of local sedatives, a Foerster Sponge Forceps and a colleague, I got the bone out. Husky bled a little, I gave analgesics(pain reliever) and he was fine. My client swore NEVER to give any dog CHICKEN BONES again.
Lesson learnt.

O God!the first pic looks awful. Sis u are a life changer.continue the good works.more strength to you.

miremoses:
O God!the first pic looks awful.
Sis u are a life changer.continue the good works.more strength to you.

Thank you.

I see passion and integrity in your service. keep it up.

greatJohnson:
I see passion and integrity in your service. keep it up.

Thanks. I will.

#dogchronicles #day5

Kimalia, sweet, sweet Kilmalia!

A 6-month old Pitbull, Kimalia, seemed to think she ruled the world. She was consistently harrassing the other dogs in her compound, an adult Bull Mastiff and an adult Rott until the day the Bull Mastiff decided enough was enough. That was the day Kimalia was presented to the clinic.
She had been severely and almost fatally bitten black and blue. When she was presented to the clinic she was bleeding profusely, weak and fragile. Her handlers were terrified. They had tried to stop the fight by pouring water on them and beating them all to no avail. To make matters worse, Kimalia's owner was not around and he was crazy about his dogs. They willed us to try our best and not let her die.

On examining her, we found that she had severe cuts and deep wounds fortunately her jugular vein was not affected. Her bleeding took a while to stop. The superficial cuts healed quickly but the ones on her neck took some time.

She stayed with us for several weeks during which she became our friend. But more so, she became Majesty's (the vet tech who fed her) bestie. She would do anything he commanded. Come. Eat. Sit. Stop. It was amazing to watch. I tried to instruct her a couple of times but my commands fell on deaf ears and she would just turn the other way. Ha! Food and dogs! Inseparable!

Kimalia is a vivaciuos dog- so full of life, always straining her neck to see what was happening in the other kennels. I always looked forward to treating her wounds everyday. It was one of the highlights of each day she spent with us.

After about six weeks, when her human came to pick her, he was so impressed with her healing. We were glad. That day I could only hope that she had learnt the Nigerian tradition of respecting one's elders.

we serve a noble profession!
good to see u r doing well for urself, I'm a vet medical student in u.I and I'm Happy for u

#dogchronicles #day6

Sometime in 2015, a regular client of ours asked us to help him select a puppy from a breeder. The 2 dogs presented to us were Caucasian-Mix breed. My boss and I had a look at both dogs and selected one.

Afterwards, I called our client to ask what he would like to name his new pup so I could register him appropriately. I was not prepared for his reply. He said, "No, no, no, I don't name my dogs." What? "Sir, a dog has to have a name," I told him. "They are social creatures, they need a form of identification". I then proceeded to inform him that I was going to name the puppy and he told me that he didn't care either ways. I named him DON.

Don came for his routine vaccinations and deworming as at when due and we bonded.Some months down the line, Don's human asked me to go to his house(home service) to routinely deworm his dogs. When I got there, his gatekeeper asked me to wait outside while he went to lock up the dogs in their kennels. I tried to tell him it wasn't necessary as I knew the dogs but he insisted saying that their most aggressive dog was outside as well and once the said dog saw me, he would pounce.The client's teenage children also corroborated the story begging me to stay outside for my own good. So i stayed.Finally, I was asked to come in. I did and started treating the dogs.

The dogs having sensed that someone had come in started barking ferociously.Then out of the blues, a dog started running towards me. The kids screamed. It was the most aggressive dog. They themselves were scared of him and had taken to their heels when they noticed him running. Apparently, he had let himself loose and was bouncing towards me-the supposed stranger. I noticed him too late as I was busy treating another dog when he escaped from his kennel. I turned when I heard the maguard screaming, "Don, Don, Don!". Don? He was so big I hadn't recognized him. But it was too late then, he was so close. Thinking quickly, I stood still and when he got to me, he stopped.He sniffed my hand and looked up at me.I took the opportunity and tentatively patted his head and as he leaned into my hand, he calmed down. Everyone was amazed. Don had remembered me.

drgbaks:
#dogchronicles #day6

Sometime in 2015, a regular client of ours asked us to help him select a puppy from a breeder. The 2 dogs presented to us were Caucasian-Mix breed. My boss and I had a look at both dogs and selected one.

Afterwards, I called our client to ask what he would like to name his new pup so I could register him appropriately. I was not prepared for his reply. He said, "No, no, no, I don't name my dogs." What? "Sir, a dog has to have a name," I told him. "They are social creatures, they need a form of identification". I then proceeded to inform him that I was going to name the puppy and he told me that he didn't care either ways. I named him DON.

Don came for his routine vaccinations and deworming as at when due and we bonded.Some months down the line, Don's human asked me to go to his house(home service) to routinely deworm his dogs. When I got there, his gatekeeper asked me to wait outside while he went to lock up the dogs in their kennels. I tried to tell him it wasn't necessary as I knew the dogs but he insisted saying that their most aggressive dog was outside as well and once the said dog saw me, he would pounce.The client's teenage children also corroborated the story begging me to stay outside for my own good. So i stayed.Finally, I was asked to come in. I did and started treating the dogs.

The dogs having sensed that someone had come in started barking ferociously.Then out of the blues, a dog started running towards me. The kids screamed. It was the most aggressive dog. They themselves were scared of him and had taken to their heels when they noticed him running. Apparently, he had let himself loose and was bouncing towards me-the supposed stranger. I noticed him too late as I was busy treating another dog when he escaped from his kennel. I turned when I heard the maguard screaming, "Don, Don, Don!". Don? He was so big I hadn't recognized him. But it was too late then, he was so close. Thinking quickly, I stood still and when he got to me, he stopped.He sniffed my hand and looked up at me.I took the opportunity and tentatively patted his head and as he leaned into my hand, he calmed down. Everyone was amazed. Don had remembered me.

You know, asides being a vet, i think you should take to writing. You would do well with fantasy stories. You sure do know how to put your readers in suspense.

Madam, I must say am so impressed...Don's story made me so emotional....#keepUpTheGoodWork

Iluv:


You know, asides being a vet, i think you should take to writing. You would do well with fantasy stories. You sure do know how to put your readers in suspense.

Thanks sir. I sure will consider that.

derbybliz:
Madam, I must say am so impressed...Don's story made me so emotional....#keepUpTheGoodWork

Awww... .Thank you sir.

drgbaks:

Awww... .Thank you sir.

The honour is all mine, if someone like u was close it wouldn't have lost my Dog...

drgbaks:
#dogchronicles #day6

Sometime in 2015, a regular client of ours asked us to help him select a puppy from a breeder. The 2 dogs presented to us were Caucasian-Mix breed. My boss and I had a look at both dogs and selected one.

Afterwards, I called our client to ask what he would like to name his new pup so I could register him appropriately. I was not prepared for his reply. He said, "No, no, no, I don't name my dogs." What? "Sir, a dog has to have a name," I told him. "They are social creatures, they need a form of identification". I then proceeded to inform him that I was going to name the puppy and he told me that he didn't care either ways. I named him DON.

Don came for his routine vaccinations and deworming as at when due and we bonded.Some months down the line, Don's human asked me to go to his house(home service) to routinely deworm his dogs. When I got there, his gatekeeper asked me to wait outside while he went to lock up the dogs in their kennels. I tried to tell him it wasn't necessary as I knew the dogs but he insisted saying that their most aggressive dog was outside as well and once the said dog saw me, he would pounce.The client's teenage children also corroborated the story begging me to stay outside for my own good. So i stayed.Finally, I was asked to come in. I did and started treating the dogs.

The dogs having sensed that someone had come in started barking ferociously.Then out of the blues, a dog started running towards me. The kids screamed. It was the most aggressive dog. They themselves were scared of him and had taken to their heels when they noticed him running. Apparently, he had let himself loose and was bouncing towards me-the supposed stranger. I noticed him too late as I was busy treating another dog when he escaped from his kennel. I turned when I heard the maguard screaming, "Don, Don, Don!". Don? He was so big I hadn't recognized him. But it was too late then, he was so close. Thinking quickly, I stood still and when he got to me, he stopped.He sniffed my hand and looked up at me.I took the opportunity and tentatively patted his head and as he leaned into my hand, he calmed down. Everyone was amazed. Don had remembered me.

I will like have you contact

I read through your write up and I am impressed. I want to buy another rott having just lost the one I bought about a month ago to parvo virus but more because of the attitude of the Vets I am exposed to. Three of them actually. So,I am patiently waiting to get a reliable Vet before getting another rott puppy. Please share your location here mine is Cele egbe, agodo, lagos. Please keep up the good work.

Nice write up. Keep the good work rolling. Hope we can ask u question too as our vet in d house. Plz can I give my dog vitamin c white and coloured? Thanks

festaclanre:
I will like have you contact

You can contact me on 07055250210.

#dogchronicles #day7

I met Cooper- an adult Lhasa Apso during my service year. I remember that the first thing my pastor said when he learnt that I was a veterinarian was "I have a dog and I will like for you to come check him out". To which I replied, "No problem sir".

So on the appointed day, I arrived at my pastor's house and was greeted by this bundle of joy called Cooper. Quick and agile, that Cooper. I quickly scooped him up and cuddled him. While trying to play with him I raised my hand to pat his head and he snarled suddenly. Quickly I retrieved my hand but it was too late. Cooper was angry. He jumped off my legs and continued snarling wanting to bite me. Just like that. His mood had changed. I had never seen such a thing before. From cuddly furry to angry furry in a moment. Amazing!
The maid (his major caretaker) tried and succeded in calming him down. Thank God. Though he ran and stayed under the car till I left.

The next time I paid Cooper a visit was to groom him. He was his usual bubbly, kissing self, trying to lick my lips and chin. While grooming, I inadvertently raised my hand over his head and zap, he almost bit off my fingers. Thankfully, I was fast and quickly calmed him down.
I realized then that he had a thing with his head very similar to some Nigerians. His head was a no-go area and I learnt to avoid it like the plague.

I also learnt during this visit that Cooper was a one-dog; one-food kind of dog. What do i mean? For the first time in my life, I saw someone throw a piece of meat at a healthy dog and the dog didn't even sniff it let alone eat it. Wow! Interesting, I thought. That's when his handler informed me that he only ever eats Golden Morn. How so? They had tried all other kinds of dog food to no avail. So they stopped and stuck to the Golden Morn he obviously always enjoyed.

Although I never saw Cooper again after my service year, sometimes I wonder why he was so averse to head patting. I could only conclude that he must have had a bad experience.

sophy17:
I read through your write up and I am impressed. I want to buy another rott having just lost the one I bought about a month ago to parvo virus but more because of the attitude of the Vets I am exposed to. Three of them actually. So,I am patiently waiting to get a reliable Vet before getting another rott puppy. Please share your location here mine is Cele egbe, agodo, lagos. Please keep up the good work.

Sorry about the loss of your Rott. I'm based in Ibadan. You can contact me on 07055250210.

now this is what I call passion