Who We Are

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Sunday Salute - Our Vets!

This week, our Sunday Salute goes to the men and women at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine - commonly referred to here as our vets! In saying "our vets", we'd like to make it clear that in this we also include the ladies at the Small Animal Desk and the Discharge Desk, the Pharmacy bipeds, all the technicians (especially our wonderful vet tech Beth!), the students and the veterinarians! We hope we haven't left anyone out.

We know some of you readers don't share our sentiments about your own vets, but we really like ours! As we've said, they're always incredibly kind to us, and not only give us the best care possible, but some mighty tasty cookies, great tummy rubs and ear scratchies, too! We've told you tales about Dave's visit to see the Tooth Fairy (Zim and Stormy have also seen him!). Amber has shared pictures of one of her trips to the vet's - it's as though they designed the whole place to put us at ease! No claustrophobic exam rooms or anything! Very nice! We try to eat right, get plenty of exercise and take other precautions here at home so we stay nice and healthy, but it's good to know that for our routine care as well as emergencies, we can always count on our vets! We are all very grateful to have such wonderful care available to us. Take a few weeks ago, for example....

Stormy was due for her Senior Health Care exam. Mom had noticed a couple new lumps on her (remember, Storm is 11-ish) so she wanted to be sure to have those checked out. The vet had the student do a FNA (fine needle aspiration) of each new lump; one was nothing to worry about, a tiny one was "questionable", and the third, one that Mom said was fast-growing, had cells that "displayed cancerous properties". Woo. The Senior Care appointment was on a Tuesday (1 May), and the vet who saw her was able to get her an appointment (a consultation) with the surgeon on Thursday. He and one of his students examined Storm and agreed that the fast-growing lump needed to come off now and it wouldn't be a bad idea to remove the other one while they were at it since it was questionable. Storm met with the Anesthesiology team, then they scheduled her surgery for the next DAY! Where else can you get such fast care? Specialized care?!!?

Mom and Dad were scared to death, of course, as were the rest of us. When Mom took her in, all the ladies at Discharge were just as reassuring and sweet as can be to both Mom and Storm; that really helped make them feel a bit better. Stormy's senior student was great, and promised to take good care of her and to call with updates when he could. To make a long, long story not as long... Stormy's surgery went really well, her recovery went well, and even though she couldn't come home that night and we ALL missed her like crazy, we knew she was where she would be safe and have 24-hour care. Her student called several times that day with updates for us. That was really kind. Storm was able to come home the next day!

She was really drugged up, shaved up, and stitched up, but she was home! We later got the incredible news that the surgeons had a clean margin, meaning they got all the nasty cancer cells! (Oh... and the other lump was benign!) She needed a lot of extra care, especially for the first 2 weeks after surgery, but she is doing GREAT! Mom and Dad took turns watching her - and had her umbilical corded to help keep Storm from jumping or running or hurting herself, and to send a signal to everypup that there was to be no "horsing around". (No, Marvin... we don't know what horses they're talking about either! Ha roo roo roo!) Mom put a big quilt on the living room floor for Storm - along with a huge puppy bed. Mom slept out there with Storm, with the leash around her wrist. She only slept if Stormy slept, so she could watch over her. Dad took lots of turns, too. The rest of us tried very hard to be good and not to disturb Stormy. Mom and Dad kept telling us what good, good puppies we are. :)

After several days had passed, Dad was out and Stormy was sleeping and Mom needed a potty break. We were all off in other parts of the house snoozing, so Mom thought she could just drop the lead, go do what she needed to do, and Storm would be fine. Want to know what she found when she returned? Dave. Holding Stormy's leash. (Editor's note: That's a hyperlink to our Flickr photo site - a picture of the scene we just told you about. One of Stormy's incision areas is quite visible. Even though the surgical team did an outstanding job, some readers may find it troubling to see. We wanted you to be prepared before you saw it!) Anyroo, as we've also told you, we may joke back and forth, but we ARE a tight, loving pack!

Again, due to the superb care Storm received from our vets and the entire team, she is now up and raring to GO! Here is a picture of her from the 2-weeks after surgery mark.


She wasn't allowed to jump or run or go on walkies for those first 2 weeks, but she was finally able to play with Mom a little! On the Flickr site, there are two other pictures of her playing in the yard; they show the two incision sites - see how much better she looks!!??!! We are all totally amazed at her progress. We are so thankful to our friends who joined us in prayer and who sent good thoughts Storm's way - AND realize how blessed we are to have this marvelous KSU Vet Med Teaching Hospital so close by and available to us.

Stormy wants to reassure everypup that even though the surgery was just over 3 weeks ago, she feels REALLY good. She's still not allowed to rough-house, but is doing everything else just like before! Her progress has been incredible to watch!

I'm ready to PLAY!

We were holding off on posting about this, but thought we would share it now, as an example of the fabulous care we receive from our vets. If anyone from the KSU vet school is out there reading ... thank you for all you do for us and all of our fellow "animals". You can see how great Stormy is doing now -- the perfect pairing of prayers and good health care. What a great team! You can see the smile on Stormy's face - that picture was taken after her play session in the yard!

To our vets and all who help care for us at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, we salute you!

The Army of Four

20 comments:

  1. Hey Stormy! I am so so so so so pleased to hear you are well after your traumatic time. You look so fit in the last few pictures! And happy!

    Your Vet Service sounds very much like ours here in Stirling, Scotland, Jeannie always says if she should get sick she would rather go to the Vet Hospital than our National Health Hospital! And she would get seen quicker too!

    It must be a big relief for you and your family to know all is ok and clear now, what a worry it must have been.

    I laughed at the "horsing around" quote......the Bi Peds use some funny words sometimes!

    I salute your Vets tooooooooo!
    Woooooooooooooooooooooo!

    And You Stormy!

    lots of love and Marvin Hugs, from Marvin xxxxxxxxxxx

    ps that picture of Dave guarding you is soooooooooooooo sweet, he is definitely a Lab in Sibe Clothing you know! ;0)

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  2. Anonymous12:54 PM

    Your vets sound fantastic! I love my vets too. They rock! They made my bad knee all better.

    Big salutes to your vet and to a up and running Storm!

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  3. Wow Stormy...what a story! I'm so glad you are doing better...probably good you don't have so much fur now that it is getting close to summer (always look on the bright side I say!) And DAVE...what a good brudder!!! Watching over you like that.

    I'm so glad you had such great people to take care of you. I love my vets too...even though they DO do some questionable things to me some time.

    Lots of Licks, Ruby

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  4. I'm so glad you're on the mend Stormy! You're looking pretty good in those pictures to me!
    You have a wonderful vet and they take good care of you and you love them! You can't ask for anything more!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie

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  5. Hi Stormy! I am glad to hear your are doing great; and I am happy to see that you can finally play some. I was very impressed with Dave helping look over you, Mum thought that was just too cute! Licks, Nugget

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  6. Hey Stormy, glad to hear you're on the mend again, but you should have milked that recovery time for at least 2 more weeks. Just give the humans the pitiful "ow" look and maybe whine a little and I'm sure they'll give you whatever you want.

    Meeshka

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  7. Anonymous4:04 PM

    Woo WOo Stormy...
    I am so glad you are doing so well!!! They did a good job on that big incision. I love the picture of Dave holding your leash! Too cute!
    hugs,
    Sitka

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  8. Anonymous5:17 PM

    Stormy.. I forgot to ask you... where in this world did you get that GREENIE dog toy?????
    Hugs,
    Sitka

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  9. To My Dear Sweet Stormy-Woo

    I am soooo glad to hear you have been given the all clear & are recovering well from your big op. I didn't know you were going to the vet for so such a big surgery.

    I wish I was there to give you belly rubs, hugs & kisses.

    You have a pretty cool scar - must have been a big lump. Summer nearly cried when she saw the photo, she doesn't like looking at icky things like that.

    Team Husky hopes you continue to get better & hope you're 100% soon.

    A big thank woo to Dave the man for taking care of you for me when you're Mom wasn't there & an even bigger thank woo to your vets - they sound awesome:)

    Princey-Woo
    xxxx

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  10. Your vet did excellent job. Stormy is looking so great now.

    ~ girl girl

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  11. Hi Stormy,
    We are so glad to hear that you are recovering well from your surgery. Such a brave girl! It makes it all a lot easier if you have as caring and kind vets as you have. Our vet saved my life after I ate poison bate in the park. Mum can never forget that horrible day and how a quick thinking vet acted to save my life. We go there for all our shots and illnesses. The vet is not overly friendly and we don't really like going there but he does a good job keeping us happy and healthy.
    Licks
    Jazz and Dixie

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  12. Marvin: Thank roo - I'm feeling GREAT! Amber knew that "horsing around" thing would delight you!

    Bruin: We're so glad your vet made your knee all better! Ha rooooo!

    Ruby: We actually need our fur to help keep us cool in Summer - it's our insulation, hot or cold! Shaving a Sibe, unless it's for a surgery like this, is realllly not a good idea! I've got peach fuzz coming in! :)

    Maggie: Thank roo! I feel very good!

    Nugget: Thanx! Dave is really a good guy.

    Meeshka: Did I say I felt good? Oh... what I (ow!) what I meant (painful expression) is that cheese would be very helpful to my recovery. Ha roo roo roo!

    Sitka: Thank roo! And Dave is a Foster Failure because he is "a heck of a nice guy". :)
    We aren't allowed to have the other kind of Greenie any more - we eat them too fast and Mom is afraid of intestinal problems - but I get to play with this one in the yard! I think it was free when we ordered something from dogtoys.com a long time ago! It squeaks AND rattles!

    Tubey: Thanks - we think so, too!

    Prince: You are SO sweet and charming - my Prince Charming? Ha roooooo! Thank you for your kind words! I am very thankful to the vets and Mom and Dad and the rest of the Ao4! AND all the prayers and well-wishes!!! You make me feel so GOOD! Thank roo, Prince - and Team Husky!

    Girl Girl: Thank roo!

    Jazz & Dixie: WOW, thank God for your vet, too! How scary that must have been!!!

    Tail wags,
    Storm

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  13. I'm so very happy that Stormy is doing so great now! Surgery is always a very scary thing! It is nice to see her running around and playing.

    We love going to our vet too! So, I don't think you are strange, cuz we feel the same way. And, we have been to our vets office LOTS in the last several month's trying to figure out our skin problems. They all do such a great job. We are very lucky to have them!

    Holly

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  14. Oh Stormy - that was scary! We're so glad you're okay. Two paws up for those vets of yours. We like our vet too. Except I don't think he's too sporty when he suggests that I need to watch how many treats I eat.
    ECHO

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  15. Holly: Thank roo for your kind words! We are so glad you and your family have a great vet there who can help you!!!

    Echo: Thanks - and it WAS scary!
    Your vet thinks you need to watch how many treats you eat? Maybe that means you need MORE! Amber and the boys were all advised to eat more at one time or another; I've been told my physique is "perfect". Our vets give us TONS of cookies - and this one really nice one says we don't even have to sit first or anything because they make us do so much when we go to see her anyway. How nice is THAT?!?! Can you commute to our vet from Pennsylvania?

    Tail wags,
    Storms

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  16. omdog we are so so happy that everyhing turned out ok. that incision looked so scary and hurty. I bet your mom and dad are just soo so happy you are better, we sure are!

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  17. We are so glad that Stormy is doing better! It sounds like you have a great set of vets! One time our grandpa took one of his horses to the Oklahoma State University Vet Teaching Hospital and he said they were good too. Too bad we don't have one around where we live!

    Steve

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  18. Joey: Thanks, pal! It's great to have such nice friends!

    Steve: Thank roo! And we have AWESOME vets!

    Tail wags,
    Storm

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  19. Hey Storm,

    So sorry to hear about your surgery, but a paws up that
    you're recovering and had such
    great care.

    Your pal,

    Arwen

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