Referral made

Went to see the vet this morning and saw the new person Doc Kim had hired to replace Doc Julie who got recalled into the military and deployed.

I was not impressed.

She stopped to pet Reilly in the waiting room, and asked why he wasn't neutered.  I responded "Because he's not old enough."  She replied with sarcastic humor, "There's testicles right there!"  (At this point, since I had never met her, I'm thinking this is a new tech, or even a kennel girl.) I replied that mastiffs and other giant breeds shouldn't be neutered before they mature, as it increases their risk of osteosarcoma and bone issues throughout their life.  She pasted on a smile and replied, condescendingly "Well, that's one way of looking at it." 

Then she appeared wearing a lab coat with Dr. on it for our appointment.  Great.

However, I did get a referral to an orthopedics specialist up in Cary.  She gave me the choice between them and the vet school.  I decided to go with the clinic rather than the teaching hospital simply because of time.  Going through multiple students would be great if we lived closer.  But we don't and it will make for extremely long days each time we go to do that.  Rough on Reilly and rough on me. 

The doc also gave me pain meds for Reilly, to hold us until we're seen up there.  I have an appointment for next Wednesday.

This doc said Reilly had bad front legs, back legs, shoulders, hips and spine.  I'm not sure how much credit to give her words since she's doesn't show much knowledge of giant breeds.  Obviously his legs are off.  Having legs twisted at odd angles should torque the rest of the body and be seen in other joints...without them actually being affected.  I see this easily in my own physical issues.  Full x-rays will tell us more.  We'll get those at the ortho clinic.

So, wish us luck in getting Reilly fixed up.  In the meantime, I am not asking him to work at all.

Meg and Reilly