That's right! Today was the day I totally went to the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicines to have my large and not totally healthy self examined. Yuh, for sure.
Now, mind you, momma was a bit stressy over the entire affair. So much so that she accidentally had this abomination for breakfast. How did that even get into our cold box?
Not to mention I totally missed breakfast. You have to be kidding me!
And then we pull up at this place even though I told her I don't know how many times that I am most certainly NOT a small animal. Sheesh! I mean, just look at me, will ya?
Momma told me to wait in the car whilst she busied herself transporting the wheelbarrows full of cash in that are apparently required to get an audience with these folks.
By the time she had finished my appointment had arrived. Just as well since I am not keen on all that waiting room stuff.
Now, you wanna hear something weird? Even though the flashy was in her pocket the whole time she was all like "Oh, Mango, I don't want to be distracted taking pictures because I need to listen really hard to what the doctors say." Like when did she decide that there is anything more important than recording every moment of my large and fascinating life in the digitals format?
So you will not see a photo of the nice fourth year student lady who interviewed me. This being a teaching hospital, one always has to talk to the students first. Some humans get annoyed with that, but I'm not bothered. How else will they learn? And you know what else? This was student doctor's lucky day because how often is she going to see a fine specimen such as myself?
Student vet talked to momma for a loooong time and then she listened to my heart and pulled on my leggies and I have to admit to getting a bit twitchy when she pulled on my owie leg, but I was brave.
And then she left and we hung out and FINALLY out comes the flashy, but look, just me. Duh.
We kind of had to wait a while and I got bored and decided to see what it would feel like to be under the table. It felt cozy.
Finally Dr. Orthopedics comes in. He was a jolly little dude who I could tell loved me totally from the start. And I kind of liked him until he started all poking and prodding and pulling my leggies and flipping me over from one side to the other like a bag of potatoes. He was all like "Oh, Mango, lay down, oh, Mango, stand up, now lay down the other way." Make up your mind!
Next thing I know, Dr. Orthopedics and Student Nurse Lady clip on my leash and whisk me away from momma. Then they stuck a needle in me and I'm thinking, "OK, take blood, whatever." But that is so not what happened because the next thing I know Dr. Orthopedics is saying , "Mango, wake up." And he takes me out to the lobby and there is momma.
Mind you, I was feeling a bit, um, disconnected from my body. All floaty and dizzy. Momma says I was STONED! And Dr. Orthopedics even lifted my large and complex bottom into the mastiff mobile for me.
Do I look stoned to you?
Friends, I would love to write more, but I feel kind of sleepy right now. So in a rare show of generosity, I will turn my blog over to momma and her dumb italicized blue words. Later!
Mango Man! Oh yeah!
Mango is, indeed, still quite dorked out. The anesthesia also seems to have affected his innards and he alternates between passing out in bed and lurching for the back door to do his business, but honestly, right now, I don't think he is very aware of his surroundings.
His x-rays showed "... boney changes (arthritis) and an opaque coloring within the joint... these signs are classic for joint instability related to degenerative changes with the cranial cruciate ligament (ACL)"
At this point surgery is not recommended and he will be treated medically with exercise, physical therapy, medication, and (gasp) a diet. He is down to 210, but the vet would like to see him drop another 10-20 pounds (poor dear).
As for his big foot, the new theory (which sounds reasonable to me) is that the residual lump might have been there for some time and the original swelling was, indeed, an insect sting and the increased scrutiny of his foot coincidental with that caused us to see for the first time his lump. But x-rays look great.
They also took some joint fluid from his knee to check for any immune related disorders given his history of lyme disease (should hear back about that later this week).
Overall, well worth the trip (although 6 1/2 hours makes it a long day) and generally good news.
Mango Momma