Friday, June 12, 2009

Free Dog

Dr. Toby said that Reagan had a uterus smaller than that of a cat. I would expect nothing less from my runt of a greyhound. So yes, the spay is over! Everything went perfectly.

I requested special treatment because we are special there is something dramatic and reactive about Reagan. Unfortunately, I think she has phobic tendencies that I have not talked much about and hope that I am wrong about. In meanwhile, I do my best to manage her unpleasant experiences as you know.

Dr. Toby was very accommodating. Instead of dropping her off early that morning, we arrived at 11:30 AM. The initial sedation was given in an exam room and she knocked out like a champ (or is that like a loser).

I had Reagan spayed, micro chipped, blood drawn, and a torn piece of ear nicked off (see below). It was nice to be able to handle all of those unpleasantries all at once while Reagan was passed out. Dr. Toby also checked her toe and said it looked good. Reagan was returned to the exam room I was in to be woken up. She took her sweet time and fought less. After sitting with her for an hour and half, it was decided to send us home. We placed Reagan loose in the van on a fleece pad. As soon as I started to drive, Reagan decided "I can walk!". I pulled over and put her into a crate. Once home, Reagan quietly and calmly woke up over the next few hours. Much better than last time.

Some of you may wonder why Reagan was not spayed when I adopted her. Reagan was basically given to me and did not pass through an adoption group. Pam placed the pups into adoption groups, but since we are friends and she knows I am responsible, we skipped the middle man.

You may ask why I waited so long to spay Reagan. Studies have shown that for a performance dog, there is a slightly lower risk for certain injuries if you spay/neuter after growing is complete and the growth plates have closed. In greyhounds, I read that growth plates are closed at 15 months. After consulting with a number of experts with an equal number of opinions, I decided to spay her after she turned 2 years old. At that point, Reagan would be fully mature.

Unlike other breeds who come into season at well under a year of age, greyhounds often do not come into season for the first time until they are 2 or more years old. Reagan never had a heat cycle. There are exceptions to the rule. A friend of mine has a greyhound that came into season a few months after her first birthday. Whoops!

Hopefully we will be done overcoming life's hurdles soon and get back to jumping agility hurdles. Fingers crossed that Reagan's B12 levels are normal. However, her coat still looks terrible and it is very distressing. This is not suppose to happen with my dogs. What is wrong with her? I am seeking a holistic veterinary opinion on Tuesday. If I am not impressed, we will be headed to a dermatologist....... How does the saying go? "There is no such thing as a free dog." Hey, Pam! Thanks for the "free dog"! Just teasing. I chose Reagan myself. :-)