Ohhh…my paranoia/anxiety about Isabelle's health exacerbated last year when her arthritis so suddenly incapacitated her. I some ways, it has been helpful. I knew something different was going on with her leg, the first time she showed any evidence of discomfort. She'd had xrays of her leg less than 2 months earlier because of some other drama I'd created, so I don't think I could have caught her OS any sooner. Her leg was amputated in just a few days…too long for me, but it was the weekend! I also discovered her recent MCT very early. 

Even before she had arthritis or cancer, I was insane! She's had a full cardiac w/u, including an echo. She goes to the ophthalmologist, because of pathology I imagine, gets dental xrays annually to be sure her root canals are intact (fortunately, she tolerates this without sedation). Recently, she had xrays of her rear leg & hip because I don't have another leg to compare every tiny bony prominence! I could go on & on… I still haven't ruled out a CT of her chest/abd/pelvis, or MRI of her spine, but am trying to be reasonable.

She is subject to a full physical exam at my hands at least 3 times/week, which translates into some expensive diagnostic at least twice a month. I listen to her lungs & heart constantly. Most recently, and this is embarrassing, she had a small lump distal to her (MCT resection) suture line aspirated & ultimately sent out for a formal path. Everything pointed to it being a small suture reaction, but I had to have it checked for mast cells. When there were none, but some cells couldn't be identified…had to send it out and worry all weekend!

It doesn't help that we go to an integrative vet, who is now also a friend and indulges me. All of her general care, rehab, etc is there. She gets an exam at least once a week when she has acupuncture.

Today, I was obsessed because she didn't want to get in the treadmill, then I thought she was flaring her nostrils when she was walking in it.  I stopped short of requesting a CXR, because she ran around like crazy when she was finished.

I'm not quite as bad with my cats, although I check my Tripawd kitty's other legs pretty frequently, for any signs of infection, injury.

With humans, I'm so far on the other side of the spectrum. Rarely does anything (with patients or personally) cause me to over react. Recently, I had some classic symptoms of pericarditis, following a minor viral illness. I ignored it for as long as I could, then did an ECG, informally verified my self diagnosis with a cardiologist, then treated myself w/NSAIDS. I was certainly not going to take the time, pay my deductible (but, Isabelle's rehab is $400/week!), or have someone tell me I probably shouldn't carry Isabelle up the stairs five times/day!

I can't seem to find that balance. I was thinking about this yesterday, & thought how nice it would be to have just a few weeks with no new issues, but..since I create most of them… Meanwhile, Isabelle goes about her days blissfully free of stress and happy as ever, so I think I'll probably continue to worry for her in my spare time!

There is probably some scientific formula that calculates the number of dogs in ones lifetime to the degree of paranoia directed to your current household of animals Not trying to make light of the situation but we usually have 2-3 dogs in our life at once. The more dogs, the more medical "situations" you come across like

Roxanne the Dobe and Red the Dobe- Both had Cong. Heart Failure, Renal Failure and awlful cronic skin conditions.

Jack the Dobe- Bone Cancer. Pre Tripawds website days. He jumped off the couch when I came home and his forearm snapped in two. My husband wasnt home at the time so I had to carry him (90lbs) into the car and take him to the vet to be euthanized. It was horrid.

Samson the Dal- Stone Former (blocked up 2x) I am ALWAYS watching to make sure he pees. Obsessively. He developed a large lump just above his wrist (just after I joined this site for Daisy) I was CONVINCED it was OS. My vet xrayed it and said it probably was OS and suggested a cancer specialist. Went to Cornell Univ and after much debate determined that it was Osteo Arthritis. Still paranoid that it was misdiagnosed, even though 6 months have passed without incident. He also has hip dysplasia.

Daisy the Dal-Retinal Athropy and Tripawd due to a run in with a pickup truck. Hasnt walked on her own since Aug. Taking care of Daisy is like having a perpetual infant. She can only get around on her own when we put her in a wheelchair, She depends on us 100%. Because she doesnt move as much as a regular dog, her digestive system is "off schedule". Sometimes she wakes us up at 2am needing to go outside. We've driven 80 miles roundtrip to take her to phsyical therapy. Financially (we havent been brave enough to actually add it up) I ballpark her medical expenses since the accident at about 6K. Do I worry about how I will pay for the next disaster? Yes.

Will I adopt another dog or dogs after Sam and Daisy? Yes. Will I worry and obsess about the lumps, bumps, limps etc. Yes.

I have a good vet who keeps me grounded when I rush the dogs in for some rare disease only to find out the dog who is foaming at the mouth, shaking their head back and forth looking like they are going to stroke out only licked a toad…..

Sometimes we just have to take a deep breath and follow our dogs lead and ENJOY THE MOMENT. Whatever tommorow will bring will come whether we worry about it now or not. So just deal with it as it comes not before it happens.

Oh we are talented, aren't we?  Both at worrying over every little possible thing and actually having dogs that have been getting nearly every little thing.  Maybe it's all part of a greater plan – we were given these dogs because they need a extra vigilant eye looking out for them.

Still, with each other's help, we're going to find a balance and be proactive without being overly-obsessive – right?  Right.

The vet I've taken Gerry to see most often since we've switched has admitted to me she's rather like me (and therefore you all too) with her own dogs.  We've talked about my concern that I obsess about things  with Gerry too much, but, as she has pointed out, if I hadn't been obsessing about… oh what was it, I think it was subcutaneous cysts that time (which are no biggy for Gerry), she wouldn't have happened to also check his mouth during that visit and discovered the gum infection that I hadn't seen (which also led to the discovery of fractured teeth that needed removing).  So she's very supportive of being proactive, and understanding of being neurotic, which I think is for the best.  It's just up to me not to let that further enable my tendency to over-worry.  If she were the kind of vet to dismiss my worries and point out how unlikely many of them have been instead, I know initially I would have had trouble trusting her – even if she were absolutely right.  Because what do so many of us go through in the lead up to a cancer diagnosis?  – Misdiagnoses and lots of assurances that cancer is very unlikely.  (Not always, but often, and certainly in Yoda's case).

hahahaha! Thanks Daisy, somehow I knew that it must have been Samson007… good thing no one had cut his black and white locks in his sleep before he kissed the toad. good work! 007!!