Vet Tech To Go

This morning I got to meet 16 year old Pearl, who some of you may know as the namesake of Miss Pearl's Bed and Biscuit! She has had a couple of neurologic events recently that have left her a little wobbly, so we worked on her strength and balance. Every time I set something up, she'd do the exercise before I showed her what to do, like she had done it all her life. Nothing phased her, I was impressed! I have found that older pets seem to enjoy learning to do new things and experiencing the wonders of different massage techniques. They also enjoy treats and applause! Good job, Miss Pearl! I hope you had a nice nap after!

My sweet friend Cory won his battle against Degenerative Myelopathy (ALS) yesterday 🌈 Since he was referred to me for physical rehabilitation after his diagnosis almost 3 years ago, I made 127 weekly trips to visit him. Most dogs live 6-8 months after a DM diagnosis. Cory fought harder to be here than any doggie I have ever known, and I will miss him terribly. This is a snippet of our time together. Sending love to his momma, who fought just as hard as he did ❤️ I know he's up there chasing squirrels.

When the weekend arrives, greet it like a dachshund would...

I spent a fun morning releasing two different doggies for their owners in a local Fast CAT event, where dogs chase a lure for 100 yards. The bigger dogs can sprint at speeds of 25-30 mph! I have spent the last 10+ years working with dogs who have a variety of mobility issues, so to see them in their physical prime is kind of a treat for me, and always leaves me awestruck. This is Drax, a Dutch Shepherd, chasing the "bunny" and running to his mom as fast as he can.

Stinky Smelly Kitty meets Spike 😻💘🐶

Spending time with various incarnations of this bunch has become my Memorial Day weekend tradition 🤣 Gorgeous 🐍 picture in comments! 🇺🇲🐕‍🦺🐈‍⬛🦜🐍🕷️🦎🐀🐢🪳👟

Every once in a while, I encounter a pet who is camera shy. I have found that showing them to themselves via selfie camera can have a profound effect. This is the first time I recorded that moment. Watch Jeanie realize how gorgeous she is...👀 I still didn't get a great still shot but maybe she'll let me next time 📸

Throughout my life, I have sung songs to animals. I find they enjoy it, no matter the quality of my singing voice, and they especially like it if the song somehow involves their name. The song can be an actual song or made up as I go along. I've whistled at birds, serenaded patients to sleep for surgery, woken them up with a tune, sent a number on their way with a melody, surprised them in their cages with a solo or duet with a like-minded colleague, did CPR to Queen, begged them not to leave this realm with the Bee Gees. Cali is a typical calico. She is sweet and sassy and naughty and sharp as a tack. She spent the first several days of her family's trip in the closet trying to decide whether to attack me or be sweet. After all, I was bringing her room service with her special AM and PM noms. Last Sunday was the first time she came out of the closet, and it's all because I made up a silly song about her and her "turbo leg rubs". Puffy tail or no, she loved it. She came out every time after this... #adventuresinpetsitting

I don't do a whole lot of petsitting anymore, but sometimes I will for a medical situation. I never post photos or videos until my clients return, but I have a few from this past week I've been dying to share... Cheeto has asthma and needs his inhaler (aka "Cheeto Puffs" 🤣), so I look after him and his friends Chester and Cali when his mom and dad are away. Cheeto left 2 surprises for me this time. A giant, heavy rat, and this precious, little mole, who surrendered in the sunshine. I have always wanted to see a mole but could not have envisioned this first encounter 😼 #adventuresinpetsitting

I've been working with several dogs lately who have been reluctant to start using a limb after surgery. These cases are always unique and challenging, and they usually end up being some of my favorites. Dogs and cats can be hesitant to use a limb for a variety of reasons. It's important to adhere to post-op instructions and recheck schedules with the surgeon and primary care veterinarians to make sure healing is going well. Staying ahead of pain, controlling inflammation, and keeping everything clean and dry is super important. Preserving range of motion and muscle mass as much as possible is incredibly helpful. Once those bases are covered, things get trickier. I have a "fifth" rehab category for these pets and it's largely psychological. They are usually afraid that their limb is going to hurt, feel weird due to weakness, or fail to support them. There is a lot of distrust, and they'll go out of their way to protect the limb, and themselves, from any sort of odd feelings. Plus, getting around on 3 legs isn't so hard after all! 🙄 I try to figure out, with the help of their families, how to help them work through all of that. Sometimes it's play, sometimes it's treats, sometimes it's going to the beach or the river, sometimes it's a bird flying overhead, sometimes it's my fun equipment, sometimes it's Stinky Smelly Kitty, sometimes it's a sudden divine revelation. And sometimes, on a Friday morning at a third session, none of these things seem to work reliably, so on a whim you ask for the Frenchie puppy to be released from the bedroom to come show the older Boxer how to be brave. It also helps if he makes her jealous by eating her treats. Worked like a charm. I just got a video update of my friend Lucy be-bopping around a room as Dutch provides playful motivation. Look at her taking some steps and testing out her R hind limb! She's been holding it up for a while so this is a big deal for her and I'm very proud. I was going to add a bacon emoji but Lucy p

Y'all know my hobby by now...😁🖼️🎨👀 Last night, a friend shared a photo of her dog's backside after she'd shaved him, and: #snuffleupagus

This morning, Rio and I "unboxed" a bag of Beggin' Strips. Here are the results: 🥓

When there's treats down there and nobody will let you get to them so you try a different approach 👀🤣

When there's treats down there and nobody will let you get to them 👀🤣

Cory and I celebrated our 50th Rehab Session yesterday just a week after our one year anniversary 🎉 He and his mom have been valiant in their fight against the progression of his degenerative myelopathy so we had a lot to celebrate 🥳 Cory indulged in a fruit tart and his own bag of dehydrated beef lung tips 😋

Sassy ❤️'s TENS Episode 2: Mouth To Mouth

Sassy ❤️'s TENS Episode 1: Schnozz Pressing

I have met a lot of dogs named Sassy over the last two decades, but this one is probably the Sassiest! This little yodeler is a multiple winner of the local Wiener Dog Race that the Ice Fliers put on every year! 🏆 (Link in comments, I've watched it a dozen times!) Happy to report she is enjoying her rehab and recovering well after surgery for a serious case of IVDD, though her days of streaking across an icy hockey rink are likely behind her for safety reasons ❤️