Wednesday 22 December 2010

Crisis over



Such horrors since yesterday. Flossie went rapidly downhill during the night, and while I'll spare you the details of the continuous flow of bloody diarrhoea, the vomiting and the general signs of a very sick dog, I can tell you that a mercy dash by taxi to the faraway emergency animal hospital at 4 a.m. was just what was needed; five minutes after admission, even the vet was alarmed by her deterioration. A harrowing sleepless night, and one which convinced me, as I crawled back to bed at 5.30, that my lovely girl would undoubtedly die.

But the lovely girl decided otherwise. In true Flossie fashion, she bounced back, and at Flossie speed too. By lunchtime today, after a few hours of intravenous fluids, antibiotics, an anti-emetic, some soothing stomach-lining gloop akin to old-fashioned milk of magnesia, reassuring blood tests, and a transfer to our own vet, Flossie had picked up sufficiently to be allowed home on trial.

While she was being treated, the Lovely Son succeeded in his second attempt to get on a train, and lo! the train arrived on time, just in time, in fact, for him to accompany me to the faraway hospital to see her and pay the scary bill (thank goodness I insured the dear girl!), map reading for me as we got terribly lost.

Later, on the way home from our own vet, heads filled with instructions and what to look out for overnight, Flossie lay down quietly in the back of the car and sneakily removed the cannula in her leg, left in situ in case a hasty return was required. She had had enough of all this vet nonsense, she said.

The first vet she had seen called her condition "probably garbage guts" - which pretty much sums her up, really - with resulting food poisoning. She has lost 2 kg in the last few days.  If she continues to stay vomit-free tonight, she will stay at home, and go back to the vet first thing tomorrow morning. I am deemed to be a sensible owner who can be trusted to nurse my convalescent super-scavenger.


She's tired - Flossie hates losing sleep! - and a bit feeble, but delighted to be home and back in her own bed.






And so are we all.

31 comments:

Jenny said...

What a relief!

Anonymous said...

Oh, it must have been such a terrible night! I'm very glad Flossie now seems to be on the mend, and am sending all the good vibes I can muster for her continued recovery. She certainly couldn't have better nursing staff at her bedside!

"Sunshine" said...

Oh my, what a night you had. Yet, isn't that what we do for our little friends? They are so dear and so trustworthy, and saving their lives is on top of the list.
So glad things have calmed down and that the delight is affecting you all.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
From the Norwegian girl across the seas.

Gretel said...

Oh thank goodness - and is the the Lovely Son finally made it up there?

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Oh what a worry! Thank goodness lovely son made it home ok. Hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas.

Dartford Warbler said...

You poor things! What a fright she must have given you. I`m so pleased that Flossie is home and feeling much better. Hoping that you all have a better night and that she will soon be back to her old/young self.xx

Amy McPherson Sirk said...

I'm also glad to read that she's on the mend. What a sweet young man you have there. You must be very proud.

jabblog said...

Poor Flossie! I'm glad she's improving - what a nasty scare for you. Thank goodness for our vets (and our pet insurance)

mrspao said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Flossie. I have been reading your blog for quite a while this year and your cat and dog tales have been a source of great joy for me. It is really good news to hear that Flossie is on the mend. I know a black labrador now ex-guide dog who used to eat anything and everything including a chocolate scented bath bomb one Christmas so can sympathise with trashy tummy syndrome.

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year and I'm looking forward to more kitty and doggy adventures in 2011. Thank you for being a source of much sighing and cooing over cute pets this year.

mrspao.com

Anonymous said...

Oh poor you and poor Flossie. You must have been frantic. I am so glad that she is recovering. And may I say that your son is second only to mine in the Lovely Son stakes!!

BumbleVee said...

Wow.... not a fun time. Hope she is all better in a day or two...

lovely son home in the bed too...lol.... what a softie he seems.... how wonderful....love a guy who loves animals....

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Like children , young animals can spring back much faster than their carers !
Lovely to see that LS has made it home . Will he eventually get a bed or will he just bunk down with Flossie and Tossie for the holidays ?
Hope you have a peaceful night all of you !!

the veg artist said...

Thank goodness on all counts. You sound so much better in this post - you must have been at your wits' end.

annie hoff said...

Brilliant! Flossie is on the mend and the lovely son is home and the mantelpiece really doesn't matter - not for this Christmas any way. Relax, and let the festivities begin! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

You've had quite the time of it lately Rachel. So pleased your son is now with you and hopefully you can relax a bit. I really don't feel up to 18 people here for Christmas Day - a sick animal in the mix would really throw me!Glad Flossie is on the mend.

Lucille said...

You must be so tired. I'm glad things are looking up and that LS is back in time.

Anonymous said...

Left a message earlier but I think it got eaten. So sorry to hear how rough it's been, hope you're all relaxing in the warm together and tomorrow is better.

Jan x

lovethosecupcakes said...

Oh, poor Floss. Poor you. We had a Dalmatian who would eat anything. One day he sicked up a rolled up pair of gloves which weren't even ours. Fingers crossed there's no more you-know-what.

Pam said...

Oh dear, what a terrible drama. So glad it's all over and that Lovely Son is now with you all. Everything is better with one's offspring around.

Susan said...

the photos made me cry.
happy happy days,
happy dog & son beds,
happy kitchen floor
happy pile of love

phew!! Jake (the beloved) also ate everything
& anything - diarrhea was his middle name
xo les Gang

Rattling On said...

They do like to scare us don't they? Our old lab was condemned by the vet 2 years ago. He wanted to put her to sleep. I took her home and she's still knocking around, albeit very slowly these days!
No doubt it won't put her off scavenging, it never did ours. She ram raided picnics even.

Anonymous said...

How scary and truly frightening. You've had a tricky few weeks one way and another and I wish for you all a restful and calm recovery. Thank goodness you have L.S. home for a while to share with and give you some support. I send love to you all ♥

flwrjane said...

Both GG and I are chorusing Ohhhhhs as we read, and reread your news.

Thank God you'll have a holly jolly Christmas this year.

Crazy labs. Now I hear Gg giving Nika a talking to!
Love, Jane

Hazel said...

Wishing you all a vomit-free night! Get well soon, Floss.

Hope that LS does not have to spend the whole of the hols in Flossie's bed - although Tosca looks as if that would suit her very well indeed.

Is the suspected mouse still at large?

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Poor Flossie! I hope she is feeling better now. I know you were terribly worried. I'm glad your son is there to give you and Flossie support. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

June said...

Oh what a horror you have all been through!
Now she's past the worst of it, and will begin to thrive again in no time. It is clear that the TLC treatments have begun in earnest.
Give the girl a little cuddle from Auntie June, please.

Catherine said...

Poor pup! I sure hope she gets feeling better!

Warm hugs,
xo Catherine

Val said...

good luck and fingers crossed she gets well quickly!

Marcheline said...

Poor, poor pup - and poor, poor you! Glad all's right in the world again, and wishing you the veriest of merriest from over the pond!

SusanFrances said...

Oh poor you! So sorry to hear that Flossie got so bad. Hope she continues to improve. Glad the LS got there at last...he looks very gorgeous! Best Wishes to all the household for a great Christmas. X

mountainear said...

Gosh! What a day of highs and lows.

Poor, poor Flossie. Please post regular bulletins on the palace railings to keep us updated.

Glad the LS made it.

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