The 95 Pound Delicate Flower

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Boogie the Giant Schnauzer if kind of a delicate flower when it comes to health issues. You'd think such a big, manly dog would be of robust health, charging through life with stubby tail wagging and tongue lolling.

Not so.

He has mild chronic kidney disease, which requires triannual renal profiles and a low-protein diet. He's subject to a variety of noncancerous fatty skin tumors, which require needle biopsies just in case this bump isn't benign. His delicate skin is subject to rashes if he's not bathed and clipped monthly. He's required foot casts for a broken toe (it's healed), hip X-rays to determine why he falls up the stairs (he's a colossal klutz) and surgery to remove a suspicious lump where the needle biopsy was inconclusive (it was benign). Now that he's a senior dog, he requires periodic exams more often than he did as a young fellow.



All this in addition to the normal immunizations and medications all pooches need for good health. The result? Vet visits that cost almost $300.00.

It's a good thing he's so cute.

7 comments:

Anne C. said...

He is SO cute. And a sweetheart.

neurondoc said...

He is cute via his pictorial representation (haven't encountered him in real life.) And he doesn't have bug-eyes. Although I think Demento Dog is tres cute as well...

Janiece said...

I don't have to pay Demento Dog's vet bills, so it really doesn't matter if he's cute or not.

Hehe.

WendyB_09 said...

Yeah, and like you'd trade him!

WendyB_09

neurondoc said...

Actually, I find Boogie's ears alluring. They stand up so nicely.

Janiece said...

Natalie, originally we had ordered a dog from the breeder without cropped ears, but they had a cancellation and ended up sending us Boogie, instead.

If we ever own another Schnauzer, we'll make sure the ears aren't cropped. The wrapping and trauma involved in getting them to stand up really isn't something I approve of.

neurondoc said...

I didn't know that his ears stand up because they were cropped. That's just not fair (I know you didn't do it, just saying in general). Shows you that I know dicksquat about Schnauzers. (I grew up with a Siberian Husky.)