Second dog

[LaRogue]

This is a very good day for Desta!

Congratulations! Isn't that a load off of your mind! I'm so Happy for Desta, you and Charlie!

I feel horrible that I ok'd having Desta injected with arsenic treatment on her first diagnosis (wasn't easy on the ol' pocketbook either), but I am very happy that she is healthy and can run and play again and not be on exercise restriction for the next couple months.

As Corgis4me said, most people would've done the same thing. Now you can all enjoy having fun together

[MyPemCharlie]

Originally Posted by Moviesnob

That's awesome news - very glad that she's healthy!

Will this incident have any repercussions on your relationship with your vet? How long have you used him?

I can chalk-up the original misdiagnosis to human error, which unfortunately happens, although reading the test instructions would have told him that he needed to rerun the test versus jumping to the conclusion that the test indicated a very strong positive. My larger concern is his refusal to consider that he might have made a mistake. We'll see if he offers to refund my charges for the bad test and Immiticide injection. If he won't work with me on the charges, that may send me out in search of another vet.

This clinic does have a very good reputation locally and I can forgive one mistake like this, even though I don't consider it a minor mistake. For general health check-ups and required Rabies shots, I would like to continue to use them. Certainly any serious diagnosis in the future, I will be gettting a second opinion before approving treatment.

Originally Posted by Peggy

YEA!!!! Glad to hear she doesn't have heartworm after all! Now you can have her spayed and won't have to worry about her being in season!

Peggy

I am going to schedule her spay in early November. I think we're too close to her next cycle now. Plus I think the arsenic injection may have taken a bit of a hit to her immune system, so I'd like to give her a couple months to process and get rid of those toxins before surgery. Several articles I've read recommend spaying mid-cycle instead of right before or right after a heat cycle. It is a little annoying that this misdiagnosis caused her not to be spayed two weeks ago as planned. That would have been almost perfect timing and I wouldn't be having to deal with her going in season. We'll be in good shape very soon though.

[MyPemCharlie]

During the fun chat session yesterday, I was asked to post some new pictures of Desta.

Pictures: 1) Mean Evil Dog Bed, 2) Sweetie Face, 3) Treed a Squirrel, 4) Charlie's Big Nose in the Camera Lens, 5) Best Buddies

[LaRogue]

WOW! How pretty Miss Desta is now! She's definitely thirving with all the love, care, and friendship. You've done a great job! Thanks for the pictures!

[glencorgi]

Look at the bloom at that girl! Life with you and Charlie is certainly agreeing with Desta.

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

Thanks y'all. (blush) These pictures made me realize I need to do a little more work on her face, otherwise she'll end up with fuzz face and "no eyes" again soon.

This is one more picture from this morning. It's not a very good "face" photo of either dog, but I love seeing how shiny their coats are in direct sunlight. Their coats both just glow.

[LaRogue]

Their coats both just glow.

Yes they do!!! They are beautiful!! I ment to ask earlier, what "color" is Desta considered to be?

[MyPemCharlie]

That is so funny you ask about her color. I posted some of these pictures on the Cairn Terrier Forum with this question:

"Well I feel kind of dumb, but I don't know what color to call Desta. I've just been saying "brindle", but is she gray brindle, red brindle, dark brindle, medium???? I don't know. She does look different outside versus inside in different lights. She has so many different colors from very light silvery gray, to medium grays to almost black gray, and several shades of red/tan/brown."

So far, one person said "I don't know", one said she's "light brindle", one said she's "medium/light brindle or a combination of grey brindle/medium brindle", and one said "camo brindle" (camo brindle is not a Cairn color, so that was a joke since she blended into the background in the one picture).

I guess we'll go with medium brindle as she doesn't look light to me. Or maybe grey brindle??? She's the first dog I've ever owned that I can't really tell you what color she is (and neither can the Cairn folks). LOL A lot of Cairns turn black around 5-7 years old or older. That'll be easy if she goes black on me.

Corgis are easier color-wise.

[glencorgi]

According to the standard "camo brindle" would be acceptable, "any color except white" - Desta can start a new color rage. <VBG>

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

I actually thought camo brindle seems like the best description - or maybe even "chameleon brindle". She is exactly the mult-colors of my weathered cedar picket fence. I frequently scan the yard for her and miss her because she's standing by the fence and "disappears" into it.

The Cairn site owner is a show breeder and has five Cairns. One of his dogs has Desta's colors. If he answers, whatever he says is the color I'm going to go with. That or "camo".

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

I actually thought camo brindle seems like the best description - or maybe even "chameleon brindle".

That one works too!

The Cairn site owner is a show breeder and has five Cairns. One of his dogs has Desta's colors. If he answers, whatever he says is the color I'm going to go with. That or "camo".

Sounds like a plan to me. Are Cairns' color all considered brindle in various shades? or do they have "solids" too?

Debbie

[MyPemCharlie]

There are solids: grey, wheaton, red, and black. Like you mentioned, anything but white which would be a West Highland White instead of a Cairn Terrier (according to the Cairn folks).

Brindles appear to be very abundant, if you can decide or flip-a-coin on which color brindle you have. I now had another answer on the Cairn forum that Desta is a red brindle. Six answers, six different color guesses. LOL

[Dillydoodle]

The best buds photo is precious! I love their expressions...so happy and content. She really has come a long way from the first photos you posted of her.. she looks healthy and HAPPY!

Emilie