Bad News

I visited Dr. Raza of Toronto Central Animal Clinic. Dr. Raza hasn't been Charlie's vet for long. Truth be told, Charles has never needed to go to the vet before this year. I don't really believe in vaccinations per se. I had Charles vaccinated this year however because he joined a playgroup and that was a prerequisite. Short of some allergies, Charles had been in excellent health. That was until this day.

I ran through my account of events with Dr. Raza. Immediately I noticed his expression change and he looked very serious. He has been a good vet, always leaning on towards the conservative treatment, but this time he said we would have to do x-rays. He was concerned Charles had ruptured a disc in his back. He took Charles into the back and I did what any normal person would do. I sat there and googled the shit out of it. My stomach sank as Dr. Raza showed me the x-rays. Even to my untrained eye, I could see the rupture. He took out his veterinary diagram book and showed me an illustration of this problem, which I would learn is caused by Intervertebral Disc Disease. He told me Charles would require surgery in the next few weeks. I couldn't even process this. Charles need surgery? He definitely was in a bit of pain but he didn't seem so bad. Dr. Raza gave me a referral to VEC - the Veterinary Emergency Clinic on McMurrich St. in Toronto. I would need to get in to see a veterinary neurologist in short order.

I took the referral, went home and sobbed on the floor for my weiner dog.