2 Year Annual Vet Check-Up

Nyota recently visited the vet for her annual check-up.  (Sorry, I’m late to blog about it…life got in the way.)  The animal hospital that I take her to tries to keep pets seeing the same doctor throughout their lifetimes.

Nyota was placed on the baby scale and I learned she now weighs 13.9 pounds.  I suspect she will hover at this weight for many years to come. The doctor did the usual things, and Nyota wasn’t very cooperative. She kept scrambling for me to hold her, but in any unfamiliar situation, that’s what she does.

The doctor said she’s in great health and was patient with my insanely obsessive pet questions:

What’s this bump on her head?

Her skull.

She doesn’t have a brain tumor?

No.

Is this tooth decay?

No, it’s a stain.

Why does she shake her ears? Could she have ear mites?

No, she doesn’t have ear mites. She has floppy ears; she’s bound to shake them.

She scratches, but I can’t find any fleas (and she regularly receives flea treatment). 

Why?

She might be allergic to flea spit. If it becomes excessive, bring her back.

Is it safe for her to get all of her shots at once?

Yes.

Are you sure?

Yes.  We can give them at two different times if you’d like.

No, I believe you.

Nyota received her shots and was adored by the crowd in the waiting room when we were leaving. The secretary at the desk said that she owned a Cocker Spaniel and most bite, so she was afraid to pet Nyota, but Nyota didn’t bite her (thankfully).  I’m beginning to think that everyone has their own version of what breeds ‘normally’ do.

Since Nyota was fully up-to-date with her vet care and healthy, I applied for doggy health insurance for her. I had been comparing policies and benefits with different companies for a few weeks. I decided to go with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. (You can follow that link.) I answered a few basic questions and entered my info/ credit card payment and it was that easy! 

I chose the highest level of insurance that I could because I’m a worrier when it comes to Nyota. I never want to sacrifice her health care if I’m in a financial bind. She’s already had one surgery in her life to correct a cherry eye (common with Cocker Spaniels), I had to call doggy poison control ($60 for a 1 minute phone call), and take her to be seen for her bug bite. So, for 90% coverage of all costs and only a $100 deductible, my payment is $34.56 per month. Please note—I could have gone with a lesser level of coverage and have a smaller payment a month. Really, it’s a very good idea to get your dog health insurance. When I watched the documentary, Madonna of the Mills, I learned some people had paid over ten thousand dollars to correct their dog’s health problems.  You never know what will happen!