We originally took Raphael for interdigital cysts , because we were treating externallyband theybwould just keep coming back. The main Vet who owns the hospital, and is a friend, had examined Raphael 3 monthas ago, We wanted a secound opinion from one of his two other vets. We took him in about a week ago, and she , ofcourse had a completely opposite protocol. So we tried it, sytemic treatment of antibiotic, Cephalosporin, an antiinflammatory and mal-a-kit wipes to use externally once a day. She also gave us these boots for him to wear in the snow and rain , but this was just not happening. Treatment is working very well, so far. Proof will be when we stop the sytemic treatment. This vet then noticed the testicles being a bit different in size. We took him yesterday back to the same vet hospital, but to see our friend who saw him 3 months ago. So we have not seen the same vet. We wanted a secound set of eyes to let us know. We then made the appt to neuter him. Raphael is an english , compared to our Beau, who was a very hyper american bred lab. We have a animal scale, up to 500 lbs, and just got a bit lazy around holiday time. So Raphael's weight got a bit over what it should have been. Last time he needed to lose 3-5lbs, we did the same cut back, and worked well. Time will tell. He looks a bit to square. No hour glass look at all. Our main vet, who just saw him yesterday, said that because he is not building muscle mass, as a much younger dog would , Raphael will not gain weight from the change, neutered. My concern is that, because Raphael has had 5 seizures in a little over a year, that the seizures may come back sooner , due to the change he will go thru, hormonally and such. Our vet agreed, and said not to worry, because that is what is expected due to the change, but will not make the seizures get worse or closer together. So God willing, this will be a one time occurrence after the neutering, and then go back to his every 2-3 month seizure. I asked if they could do an mri or some test to determine the reason , and he said you will be wasting your money, for it always shows nothing. Seizures scare me, for my baby is unconscious and I am always praying they do not go over the 3 min period, or God forbid enter the 5 min period. The vet assured us this would not be changed , but only initially after the operation. I pray he is correct. raf108
Thanks Karen, Wow, you have some eye, just from my avatar photo, and he is lying down. He does have a very thick coat. But I do agree. We are all thin in this household, but sometimes love him thru a bit of snacks. Now only veggies from my plate, that is it. I wish I could find a toy that he does not get bored with after five minutes, so I could throw it and let him run more. He is extremely picky about his toys. At the animal hospital, we let him pick out his own toy, he picked the most expensive one, lol And later that evening when given to him, he just smelled all the odors that were left on it, and never played with it. Still trying to find an action toy, besides a plastic cup or plastic bottle. raf108
I wasn't meaning to be rude about Raphael; he looks gorgeous; it's just that I'm used to slimline working labs, probably more like your Beau.
