Doggie heroin
This is an Italian greyhound.
This is an Italian greyhound on drugs.
On Friday afternoon, the left side of Diego’s sweet little face swelled up like he’d been punched. Yet another emergency run to the vet (they’ve seen us a lot there lately) revealed what I’d suspected, which was a serious abscess above an especially rotten tooth. Unfortunately, the vet isn’t staffed to do dental work over the weekend, so they sent us home with antibiotics and a pain killer. An opiate-based pain killer. Yes, my dog is on morphine. That picture is Diego after his first dose. He was completely blissed out and not even responding to his own name. (Note the drool spot.) It’s kind of unnerving to see your dog stoned. We called the vet and she cut his dose in half.
We knew he needed his teeth cleaned–in fact, bacteria from his rotting sighthound teeth was one possible cause for his liver shutting down last month–but the vet had wanted to wait until his blood tests came back completely normal. We’re not waiting anymore.
Tomorrow (Monday) morning, Diego goes in for emergency dental surgery. Given his recent liver problems, there’s more than the usual risk involved with the anesthesia. We’re nervous for our little guy. I know I’ve asked for a lot of good healthy hound thoughts already for Diego. Please do think good thoughts for him again.
I’ll keep you all posted.
I’ll keep little Diego in my thoughts- hope all goes well. Poor little guy 🙁
Posted by: KnitAmy
how nerve wracking. we’ve been where you are too many times, and i will be keeping you in my thoughts tomorrow.
Posted by: marti
I know this has got to be nerve racking. I will have all of you in my thoughts and prayers. My little dachshund got sick several months ago, they put him to sleep to clean his teeth (I had no idea about his teeth)it was $150.00! I brush his teeth every day now.
Posted by: Laura
Good luck Diego! I’ll be keeping you and your pet human in my thoughts! Don’t enjoy those drugs too much, buddy, they’re bad for you long term!
Posted by: Jenn
I’ll keep little Diego in my thoughts- hope all goes well. Poor little guy 🙁
Posted by: KnitAmy
how nerve wracking. we’ve been where you are too many times, and i will be keeping you in my thoughts tomorrow.
Posted by: marti
I know this has got to be nerve racking. I will have all of you in my thoughts and prayers. My little dachshund got sick several months ago, they put him to sleep to clean his teeth (I had no idea about his teeth)it was $150.00! I brush his teeth every day now.
Posted by: Laura
Good luck Diego! I’ll be keeping you and your pet human in my thoughts! Don’t enjoy those drugs too much, buddy, they’re bad for you long term!
Posted by: Jenn
Oh god, poor Diego! Wishing good thoughts for him for sure. This makes me especially nervous since the vet told me Ty has some tartar and I don’t want to have to have him put under for a cleaning either. But I guess the consequences of not doing it is so much worse.
Posted by: jackie
good luck, sweet diego.
Posted by: karen
Good luck, Diego! We need to take Deedle in to get her teeth cleaned, and just thinking about it makes me nervous. I have heard that sighthounds are very sensitive to anesthesia, so the vet has to make sure to use the right type (whatever that means); otherwise, they can get very ill. I’ll be thinking healthy hound thoughts!
Posted by: Mariko
Healthy thoughts are being sent from Boston! It’s so hard to have a sick dog. They just go and go until they drop. No complaining, no warning sometimes, just solid and then sick. He’ll do great tomorrow I’m sure and be running around after a ball in no time!
Posted by: Johanna
Oh, poor Diego! I hope he feels better! Our old miniature-dachshund had only two teeth left by the time we lost her at 15, she had such problems with periodontal disease. Hmm . . . I think I’ll brush Chappy’s teeth tonight.
Posted by: Deb
Oh baby boy, we’ll keep toes and fingers crossed that all goes well and the anaesthesiologist is very good and very attentive and the surgery is very very very fast.
When Tahoe was little we had a similar tooth situation (baby tooth v. adult tooth, formed abcess, both lost) and I remember that horrible gut-twisting fear like it was yesterday. I hate it when they’re sick, I hate it when they have to be under, I hate that there’s nothing to do but wait and watch and hope. Ugh. It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t love them so much but it’s a damn sight too late now.
Posted by: spaazlicious
I will be sending Diego good thoughts – I know it’s especially difficult when our companion pets are sick. It isn’t something we can explain to them.
Posted by: amandamonkey
Oh god, poor Diego! Wishing good thoughts for him for sure. This makes me especially nervous since the vet told me Ty has some tartar and I don’t want to have to have him put under for a cleaning either. But I guess the consequences of not doing it is so much worse.
Posted by: jackie
good luck, sweet diego.
Posted by: karen
Good luck, Diego! We need to take Deedle in to get her teeth cleaned, and just thinking about it makes me nervous. I have heard that sighthounds are very sensitive to anesthesia, so the vet has to make sure to use the right type (whatever that means); otherwise, they can get very ill. I’ll be thinking healthy hound thoughts!
Posted by: Mariko
Healthy thoughts are being sent from Boston! It’s so hard to have a sick dog. They just go and go until they drop. No complaining, no warning sometimes, just solid and then sick. He’ll do great tomorrow I’m sure and be running around after a ball in no time!
Posted by: Johanna
Oh, poor Diego! I hope he feels better! Our old miniature-dachshund had only two teeth left by the time we lost her at 15, she had such problems with periodontal disease. Hmm . . . I think I’ll brush Chappy’s teeth tonight.
Posted by: Deb
Oh baby boy, we’ll keep toes and fingers crossed that all goes well and the anaesthesiologist is very good and very attentive and the surgery is very very very fast.
When Tahoe was little we had a similar tooth situation (baby tooth v. adult tooth, formed abcess, both lost) and I remember that horrible gut-twisting fear like it was yesterday. I hate it when they’re sick, I hate it when they have to be under, I hate that there’s nothing to do but wait and watch and hope. Ugh. It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t love them so much but it’s a damn sight too late now.
Posted by: spaazlicious
I will be sending Diego good thoughts – I know it’s especially difficult when our companion pets are sick. It isn’t something we can explain to them.
Posted by: amandamonkey
Ohhhh, poor little darling Diego. All good wishes for a successful surgery and comfortable recovery. The drool spot makes my heart hurt. I’m glad he’s not in pain, but that really, really sucks, and I hope all goes well. Be brave, little family…
Posted by: Lee Ann
Poor Diego! He’ll pull through!
Posted by: Nadia
Oh, dear Diego, feel better….and this post is making me realize the importance (though I hate the thought of the expense as well as the trauma of the anesthesia) of getting Vincent’s teeth cleaned again soon. I’ve put it off as long as I can, but he did have one rotten one pulled last year when he went in for his regular dental. Oy vey. It’s always something.
Posted by: Norma
Candles lit for that little doggie. Tiki and I both send our good wishes.
Posted by: Rainy
Poor little chicken. My very best wishes for a full recovery.
Its very sad when your pet gets better drugs than you.
Posted by: claudia
Luca sends Diego many snuffly dog kisses and crosses his paws for good luck!
You are right to suspect the rotted tooth as a cause for his other problems. Getting that sucker out of there will probably help him feel better in a lot of ways.
Posted by: stephanie
Poor puppy! I’ll send good vibes his way! He’ll be fine!!!
Posted by: Christie
Ohhhh, poor little darling Diego. All good wishes for a successful surgery and comfortable recovery. The drool spot makes my heart hurt. I’m glad he’s not in pain, but that really, really sucks, and I hope all goes well. Be brave, little family…
Posted by: Lee Ann
Poor Diego! He’ll pull through!
Posted by: Nadia
Oh, dear Diego, feel better….and this post is making me realize the importance (though I hate the thought of the expense as well as the trauma of the anesthesia) of getting Vincent’s teeth cleaned again soon. I’ve put it off as long as I can, but he did have one rotten one pulled last year when he went in for his regular dental. Oy vey. It’s always something.
Posted by: Norma
Candles lit for that little doggie. Tiki and I both send our good wishes.
Posted by: Rainy
Poor little chicken. My very best wishes for a full recovery.
Its very sad when your pet gets better drugs than you.
Posted by: claudia
Luca sends Diego many snuffly dog kisses and crosses his paws for good luck!
You are right to suspect the rotted tooth as a cause for his other problems. Getting that sucker out of there will probably help him feel better in a lot of ways.
Posted by: stephanie
Poor puppy! I’ll send good vibes his way! He’ll be fine!!!
Posted by: Christie
I’m sending Diego (and you) all good thoughts. good luck tomorrow!
Posted by: regina
Goodness, poor Diego. I hope everything works out well, and that he returns to his typical self. Pets are important people; I’ll be thinking strong thoughts for all of you.
Posted by: Adele
awww sweeties, we’ll sit and howl at the moon for you all tonight, and I’ll even get the cats to cross their paws for you all. Hope it all goes well, and hope you guys are doing well too.
Posted by: Alison
Poor little guy! Man, this is just not his year so far. I will direct positive energy in a north-north westerly direction this week.
Maybe it’s the drugs he’s on – or maybe it’s the drugs I’m on – but Diego looks a *lot* like Keanu Reeves in that picture.
Posted by: David
Awwww….can’t the universe give Diego (and you) a break already? Fred and his stinky teeth had to go in recently, and while cleaning they, of course, found a rotten one that had to go. Fred isn’t the friendliest, but Cat has his paws crossed, literally.
Posted by: Cassie
Poor Diego! My Riley sends good puppy wishes, and so do I.
Posted by: Lorette
Thoughts from my end going to Diego. Poor thing.
Posted by: lauray
I’m sending Diego (and you) all good thoughts. good luck tomorrow!
Posted by: regina
Goodness, poor Diego. I hope everything works out well, and that he returns to his typical self. Pets are important people; I’ll be thinking strong thoughts for all of you.
Posted by: Adele
awww sweeties, we’ll sit and howl at the moon for you all tonight, and I’ll even get the cats to cross their paws for you all. Hope it all goes well, and hope you guys are doing well too.
Posted by: Alison
Poor little guy! Man, this is just not his year so far. I will direct positive energy in a north-north westerly direction this week.
Maybe it’s the drugs he’s on – or maybe it’s the drugs I’m on – but Diego looks a *lot* like Keanu Reeves in that picture.
Posted by: David
Awwww….can’t the universe give Diego (and you) a break already? Fred and his stinky teeth had to go in recently, and while cleaning they, of course, found a rotten one that had to go. Fred isn’t the friendliest, but Cat has his paws crossed, literally.
Posted by: Cassie
Poor Diego! My Riley sends good puppy wishes, and so do I.
Posted by: Lorette
Thoughts from my end going to Diego. Poor thing.
Posted by: lauray
Oh, no! I’ll be thinking good wishes for the sweet little dental patient. I hate getting dental work done, feel so sorry for pets who don’t really understand. Let us know when all’s well. Jane
Posted by: jane
smooches to you diego. you best get better mighty quick as i’m coming to see you very soon.
Posted by: carolyn
My prayers are with you and Diego today. I hope that everything turns out ok with his dental sugery. Surgery is always nerve wracking when there is an underlying problem.
Posted by: Kim
Good luck, Diego! Dental work sucks out loud.
Posted by: jodi
sending good thoughts your way from one mom “rescued” by a sweet pup to another! Please know we are thinking of you.
Posted by: delia
He’ll be fine — they know what they’re doing. And just think how happy he’ll be once he’s rid of his seriously rotten tooth! Big kisses from me, and good thoughts aplenty. xo
Posted by: alison
Poor little guy – good luck with the dentist.
Posted by: mindy
Oh, no! I’ll be thinking good wishes for the sweet little dental patient. I hate getting dental work done, feel so sorry for pets who don’t really understand. Let us know when all’s well. Jane
Posted by: jane
smooches to you diego. you best get better mighty quick as i’m coming to see you very soon.
Posted by: carolyn
My prayers are with you and Diego today. I hope that everything turns out ok with his dental sugery. Surgery is always nerve wracking when there is an underlying problem.
Posted by: Kim
Good luck, Diego! Dental work sucks out loud.
Posted by: jodi
sending good thoughts your way from one mom “rescued” by a sweet pup to another! Please know we are thinking of you.
Posted by: delia
He’ll be fine — they know what they’re doing. And just think how happy he’ll be once he’s rid of his seriously rotten tooth! Big kisses from me, and good thoughts aplenty. xo
Posted by: alison
Poor little guy – good luck with the dentist.
Posted by: mindy
Oh, poor boy. Big kisses to him; I know everything will be fine.
Posted by: Andrea M.
Poor guy!! And poor you too…it is so very stressful when our pooches are ill.
Big reminder to those out there whose dogs have dirty but still healthy teeth- chewing is so very important! No all canned/soft diets unless perscribed! Lots of raw bones or dental chew!
Some dogs are simply predisposed, like some people, to have dental problems, but that is one thing we can do to slow these processes.
Good luck Diego!
Posted by: Sarah
Poor little Diego! I’ll keep him in my thoughts! I’m sure everything will go well for the little fellow!
Posted by: Kim/Curlie Girl
thinking good thoughts and hoping all goes smoothly
Posted by: mrspilkington
Sending good thoughts for Diego schmoo. I hope things went well.
Posted by: Carrie
love love love, sent your way.
Posted by: Rachael
I’m keeping my fingers crossed and thinking good thoughts (and I said a prayer for everything to go well). Surgery is scary (my dog just had his teeth cleaned last Monday), but I’m sure everything will be fine. Keep us posted.
Posted by: Stephanie
Oh, poor boy. Big kisses to him; I know everything will be fine.
Posted by: Andrea M.
Poor guy!! And poor you too…it is so very stressful when our pooches are ill.
Big reminder to those out there whose dogs have dirty but still healthy teeth- chewing is so very important! No all canned/soft diets unless perscribed! Lots of raw bones or dental chew!
Some dogs are simply predisposed, like some people, to have dental problems, but that is one thing we can do to slow these processes.
Good luck Diego!
Posted by: Sarah
Poor little Diego! I’ll keep him in my thoughts! I’m sure everything will go well for the little fellow!
Posted by: Kim/Curlie Girl
thinking good thoughts and hoping all goes smoothly
Posted by: mrspilkington
Sending good thoughts for Diego schmoo. I hope things went well.
Posted by: Carrie
love love love, sent your way.
Posted by: Rachael
I’m keeping my fingers crossed and thinking good thoughts (and I said a prayer for everything to go well). Surgery is scary (my dog just had his teeth cleaned last Monday), but I’m sure everything will be fine. Keep us posted.
Posted by: Stephanie
Here’s to Diego’s swift and sure recovery.
Posted by: Carole
Sending lots of love and good thoughts to Diego (and his Mommy.)
Posted by: Bliss
Thinkin’ the good thoughts, Cari, thinking the good thoughts!
Posted by: LeAnne
When I saw the name of your blog I had to check it out. So sorry about Diego! Bodhi and Loki (my pups) are saying a prayer for him!
Posted by: ck
Here’s to Diego’s swift and sure recovery.
Posted by: Carole
Sending lots of love and good thoughts to Diego (and his Mommy.)
Posted by: Bliss
Thinkin’ the good thoughts, Cari, thinking the good thoughts!
Posted by: LeAnne
When I saw the name of your blog I had to check it out. So sorry about Diego! Bodhi and Loki (my pups) are saying a prayer for him!
Posted by: ck
Guppy’s and my thoughts are with Diego!!! Hope he gets better soon!
Posted by: Angela
Poor little guy! Sending good thoughts from me and Sasha who is quite taken with the pups.
Posted by: Tiffany
Adding Diego to my meditations. I’ve gone through several major surgeries with my dogs – all rescued strays – and determined it’s my karma to save dogs with problems. Still, I cry each time I drop them off. It’s hard when you can’t explain ‘why’ to them.
Zev, Grover and Kaje send their bestest doggy thoughts…
Posted by: Tracey
We love-ed the little greyhounds. Had two full sized and while genetically different, the girls had the same tooth issues. Poor fellow, he’s just a mess lately! I’ll be thinking of you all.
Posted by: Amber
Diego’s a strong little guy. He’ll be aiiight. Sending him a big doggy squeeze, and a big sloppy kiss. (and send me the left over morphine….) Please?
Posted by: john
Many, many good thoughts going out to the beautiful Diego. He’s lucky to have an owner who cares so much for him.
Posted by: Amy
Poor little guy. I hope he feels better soon. Well, I mean, I hope he gets better soon. Looks like he feels damn fine.
Posted by: Anne Marie
Guppy’s and my thoughts are with Diego!!! Hope he gets better soon!
Posted by: Angela
Poor little guy! Sending good thoughts from me and Sasha who is quite taken with the pups.
Posted by: Tiffany
Adding Diego to my meditations. I’ve gone through several major surgeries with my dogs – all rescued strays – and determined it’s my karma to save dogs with problems. Still, I cry each time I drop them off. It’s hard when you can’t explain ‘why’ to them.
Zev, Grover and Kaje send their bestest doggy thoughts…
Posted by: Tracey
We love-ed the little greyhounds. Had two full sized and while genetically different, the girls had the same tooth issues. Poor fellow, he’s just a mess lately! I’ll be thinking of you all.
Posted by: Amber
Diego’s a strong little guy. He’ll be aiiight. Sending him a big doggy squeeze, and a big sloppy kiss. (and send me the left over morphine….) Please?
Posted by: john
Many, many good thoughts going out to the beautiful Diego. He’s lucky to have an owner who cares so much for him.
Posted by: Amy
Poor little guy. I hope he feels better soon. Well, I mean, I hope he gets better soon. Looks like he feels damn fine.
Posted by: Anne Marie
Feel better Diego! I hope you are home and resting happily now.
Posted by: sarah g.
Oooh poor baby!!!!
I think good thoughts for the little dude and hope that all goes well with his surgery!
We love you Diego!!!!
Posted by: pippy
ooh poor Diego Healthy thoughts coming over the water from me an Ben ( my pooch) 🙂
Posted by: janine
Poor guy. Tooth problems are so common with the little doggies. Our iggy sends big doggy kisses. He had a leg break a few years ago, so we’re all too familiar with his alter-ego, Morphine Bob.
Posted by: Frith
Oh my goodness! Lots of love from our corner, including from the cats!
Posted by: valentina
I hope everything goes well with Diego. He is such a cute little guy.
Posted by: eyeleen
Oh no! Kringle-dog and I are sending best wishes for Diego. She has to go in and get her teeth scaled now that a round of antibiotics have cleared up her horrid gums, but she is pretending she doesn’t hear me typing that. CJ-dog (the in-laws’) just got out of hospital today after an emergency visit, so she sends best wishes too!
Posted by: Kel
Feel better Diego! I hope you are home and resting happily now.
Posted by: sarah g.
Oooh poor baby!!!!
I think good thoughts for the little dude and hope that all goes well with his surgery!
We love you Diego!!!!
Posted by: pippy
ooh poor Diego Healthy thoughts coming over the water from me an Ben ( my pooch) 🙂
Posted by: janine
Poor guy. Tooth problems are so common with the little doggies. Our iggy sends big doggy kisses. He had a leg break a few years ago, so we’re all too familiar with his alter-ego, Morphine Bob.
Posted by: Frith
Oh my goodness! Lots of love from our corner, including from the cats!
Posted by: valentina
I hope everything goes well with Diego. He is such a cute little guy.
Posted by: eyeleen
Oh no! Kringle-dog and I are sending best wishes for Diego. She has to go in and get her teeth scaled now that a round of antibiotics have cleared up her horrid gums, but she is pretending she doesn’t hear me typing that. CJ-dog (the in-laws’) just got out of hospital today after an emergency visit, so she sends best wishes too!
Posted by: Kel
I’m so sorry that Diego had to go back to the emergency room. My kitties and I send him good thoughts.
Posted by: Jaime
Is the little guy all right??? Did the ER vet know that sighthounds don’t have a fat layer and so don’t deal well with sedatives? (I surely hope the vet doing the dental work knows about the problems with sighthound anesthaesia!) I am keeping you in my thoughts… Fiona Whippet sends love. Take care. Hoping all is well… HUGS.
Posted by: Stasia
Oh no! Poor little guy! I hope everything goes well and he remembers his “summer of love” with fondness (you did play alittle Grateful Dead when he was sooooo stoned out on the couch, no?).
Posted by: Silvia
Poor little Diego. I hope he is back to his best, healthy self after this. 🙂
Posted by: Mandy
All possible fingers and toes will be crossed for you and Diego!
Posted by: Rabbitch
I hope everything went ok! Sending get well vibes Diego’s way.
Posted by: Karen
I hope Diego is recovering nicely. Regina set me here for comfort- my two dachshunds had a dental “cleaning” yesterday that turned into a 10 hour saga of extractions (2 in one- 1 in the other) blood work freakouts, etc. They’re home now on antibiotics and painkillers and looking fat faced and worse for the wear. I can’t help but be jealous of Laura’s $150. and her dachshund. Our vet charged us: Annie- $1315 for the two extractions and cleaning- they break it down to every little charge and $602.for Betty’s single extraction and cleaning. They did other things as well and I am now $2855.20 lighter in the wallet. I want to live where Laura does!
Posted by: susan
I’m so sorry that Diego had to go back to the emergency room. My kitties and I send him good thoughts.
Posted by: Jaime
Is the little guy all right??? Did the ER vet know that sighthounds don’t have a fat layer and so don’t deal well with sedatives? (I surely hope the vet doing the dental work knows about the problems with sighthound anesthaesia!) I am keeping you in my thoughts… Fiona Whippet sends love. Take care. Hoping all is well… HUGS.
Posted by: Stasia
Oh no! Poor little guy! I hope everything goes well and he remembers his “summer of love” with fondness (you did play alittle Grateful Dead when he was sooooo stoned out on the couch, no?).
Posted by: Silvia
Poor little Diego. I hope he is back to his best, healthy self after this. 🙂
Posted by: Mandy
All possible fingers and toes will be crossed for you and Diego!
Posted by: Rabbitch
I hope everything went ok! Sending get well vibes Diego’s way.
Posted by: Karen
I hope Diego is recovering nicely. Regina set me here for comfort- my two dachshunds had a dental “cleaning” yesterday that turned into a 10 hour saga of extractions (2 in one- 1 in the other) blood work freakouts, etc. They’re home now on antibiotics and painkillers and looking fat faced and worse for the wear. I can’t help but be jealous of Laura’s $150. and her dachshund. Our vet charged us: Annie- $1315 for the two extractions and cleaning- they break it down to every little charge and $602.for Betty’s single extraction and cleaning. They did other things as well and I am now $2855.20 lighter in the wallet. I want to live where Laura does!
Posted by: susan
I hope Diego is recovering nicely. Regina set me here for comfort- my two dachshunds had a dental “cleaning” yesterday that turned into a 10 hour saga of extractions (2 in one- 1 in the other) blood work freakouts, etc. They’re home now on antibiotics and painkillers and looking fat faced and worse for the wear. I can’t help but be jealous of Laura’s $150. and her dachshund. Our vet charged us: Annie- $1315 for the two extractions and cleaning- they break it down to every little charge and $602.for Betty’s single extraction and cleaning. They did other things as well and I am now $2855.20 lighter in the wallet. I want to live where Laura does!
Posted by: susan
I hope Diego is recovering nicely. Regina set me here for comfort- my two dachshunds had a dental “cleaning” yesterday that turned into a 10 hour saga of extractions (2 in one- 1 in the other) blood work freakouts, etc. They’re home now on antibiotics and painkillers and looking fat faced and worse for the wear. I can’t help but be jealous of Laura’s $150. and her dachshund. Our vet charged us: Annie- $1315 for the two extractions and cleaning- they break it down to every little charge and $602.for Betty’s single extraction and cleaning. They did other things as well and I am now $2855.20 lighter in the wallet. I want to live where Laura does!
Posted by: susan