Getting a 4th Opinion

Two days ago Mr. Hank hurt something in his back or leg, causing him excruciating pain every time he lays down or uses the stairs. At first it was random and occasional, but he still managed to crawl into bed to cuddle for some serious sympathy points Sunday night. Yesterday it got much worse, and he wasn't just crying or yelping... he was SCREAMING. Not screaming, but SCREAMING and every single time it clenched my heart, pulled it out of my chest, slammed it on the ground, and stomped on it.

I took him to the vet as soon as I could and of course she couldn't find a thing wrong with him. Hank hung tough and let her do whatever she wanted because he's the perfect patient, or at least he was until she tried to lay him on his side and he peed on her. Serves her right for telling me there was no possible way Hank's thyroid condition could be caused by a tumor. I'm no genius, but I'm pretty sure a tumor on the thyroid can slow it down. Hank's other vet who unfortunately does not have X-ray equipment agrees and was pretty upset to find out she told me that. I also have a dear friend back home who also happens to be a DVM who agrees and has helped me a lot over the past couple of days. If we ever end up in Tyler, TX he has a customer for life. I'm going to trust the majority and go in for yet another opinion with X-ray or ultrasound confirmation. So frustrating. The good news is at least we know it is his thyroid slowing down and not so much his metabolism. The bad news is he weighs almost 90 lbs. Out of control.

Today Hank is doing much better, but I'm pretty sure it's because he's high on Tramadol. Lucky for us we had some left from his last surgery and it's the only thing that helps, though he hates taking it. He curls his lips and shakes his head. It's kind of cute - he looks like a weasel with his long pointy nose. The vet gave us pain meds equivalent to doggie aspirin, but those can take days to kick in and I just couldn't take the SCREAMING anymore. It was too gut-wrenching. Poor Hank stood up all day and night, afraid to lay down while I fought off tears, scared and unable to help him.

Thank goodness for drugs and good advice from a great friend (thanks Justin!). Since it kicked in he's been wagging his tail non-stop, walking up and down the stairs with ease, and napping in the sun. What a relief!