Daisy Visits the Georgetown Vet
Monday, March 4, 2013
Picture caption: “Does this pose make my butt look big?”
Veterinarians are few and far between in The Bahamas. For that reason, we got every medicine we thought Daisy might need from our vet in Stuart before we left. However, there are times when you really need to visit a vet, and that happened to Daisy last week. Since we have been in The Bahamas, Daisy has been “scooting,” ie, rubbing her butt on the ground. The causes of this could be worms, anal glands that are full, something caught in there, or an anal gland infection. We had ruled out everything but the latter. We didn’t consider it an emergency, but did want it taken care of soon.
Georgetown is the first town we have visited since Nassau that has a vet, and this one only comes here once a month. The vet we thought was going to be here died last summer. He was diagnosed with Lupus and a short time later died. Luckily, a vet who works in Ft. Lauderdale has been flying here once a month to see animals in an office in Georgetown. He arrived last Friday and we got Daisy an appointment.
Daisy has an ear infection and was also scratching her jaw often. We have ear infection medicine on board, but wanted him to check it out. Dr. Chris Deane has the best “bedside manner” of any vet I have ever seen. It doesn’t take much for Daisy to like someone.....they just have to pet her. However “Uncle Chris,” as he addressed himself while talking to Daisy, needed to gain her confidence because what he had to do wasn’t going to be pleasant.
First, he examined her ears and jaw and found yeast infections in both. He demonstrated how to clean her ears. Although many vets have gone through this with us, he had a different technique which we like. Then he checked her anal glands. Not only were they full, but they were infected.
Dr. Deane proceeded to give her a shot of twilight anesthesia which relaxed her, but didn’t knock her out. Next he emptied the glands, irrigated them, and packed medicine in them. When he was done with the procedure, he gave her a second shot to wake her up. She was immediately alert and able to walk.
He took an inordinate amount of time talking to us and to Daisy and made sure we understood everything we needed to do for follow-up care. As he dispensed various pills, bottles, and tubes, I saw dollar signs in my head. The anesthesia alone was probably going to be expensive. We were shocked when the bill was added up and it was only $329. Anyone with a dog knows you can walk into a vet’s office and pay that amount for a simple check-up and a few shots.
The procedure worked and Daisy is no longer scooting. Her ear and jaw are getting better and she is her old happy self. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have been here when Dr. Deane came to town. We’ll be back in Georgetown next month to check in with immigration for our three month paperwork at the same time he comes back. That will be perfect timing for a follow-up visit.