We made it back from Athens GA!! Gizmo is pretty tuckered out.
He was a real trooper today with all the poking in his eyes, the numbing, the lights, and being examined for about 40 minutes without me! We were referred to Dr. Pentlarge at Athens by our vet here in Augusta after I noticed visual changes in Gizmo.
Dr. Pentlarge was super thorough and fast. She teased me about my hubby being a lawyer and the usual “OH. I will be very careful with your Gizmo so your husband won’t sue me” ! Dr. Pentlarge was convinced Gizmo’s problem is not an ophthalmology issue, but rather, a neurological one. I didn’t like the sound of that.
She sent us right over to the UGA small animal teaching hospital. What efficiency! I didn’t get mad or fuss at anyone. They saw us right away. The scary part was going back to consult with the attending neurology vet regarding possible diagnoses.
The doc explained that there could be many reasons G-Mo is losing his eyesight. Autoimmune disease, bacterial/fungal infection, and metastatic cancer were on the list. Her recommendation was a series of tests including chest X-ray, bloodwork, spinal tap and MRI.
I was not ready for that list of “leave your dog with us for a few days” tests, so I said I would think about it. We made an appointment to return on Monday with a Wednesday pick up. The spinal tap would require anesthesia and a day in ICU.
This is overwhelming, but I had a chance to think tonight, and the nurse in me wants a second opinion. Calling our local vet in the a.m. to find out if the MRI and spinal tap are truly necessary especially since the treatment of medications would be the same either way.
Thanks for listening.It is crazy how much we all love Gizmo.
We are thankful for the 5 years we’ve had with him and the happiness he brings every day.
see you
So glad you are taking the time to think it through. Praying this is something minor and manageable. Wonder if they realize how much we love them! Slip him a little of that turkey.
Hey Susan!
Yes. I didnt want to make a hasty decision . I just spoke to his vet here and he thinks we should go ahead with a diagnostic visit back to UGA. He did make a good point that the spinal tap will give us a lot of info and if it does not give us a clear diagnosis, then the MRI. That MRI is very expensive. So I am reorganizing my week to get to Athens on Monday and pick Gizmo up wednesday.