Thursday 26 February 2015

Hibernating!



It’s been a while since I was here and I’ve neglected the poor old blog a bit. I haven’t been about in Blogland much at all. It feels almost as if I’ve been hibernating.

I think because I decided to stop visiting Facebook (well, I do still pop in now and then, but I’ve probably missed a lot) I’ve tended to stay away generally from the internet.

When I took Dusty for his post-op check in Newmarket between Christmas and New Year, he’d had a flare up of the infection which they said was “disappointing”. I was given a choice of waiting to see if the antibiotics worked or having another scan. I decided to give the antibiotics a chance.

But I came away worried. If the infection came back, the vet I saw said it would mean another scan, an operation and the possibility of removing part of his jaw. “They manage very well after such surgery,” the vet told me. The problem is when an infection gets into the bone, it is hard for the antibiotics to get to the site.

It played on my mind so much that I made an appointment to see our own vet Tom in January, but an emergency came in and I saw Neil instead. He was very kind and reassuring and took plenty of time to talk me through what might happen. I know the infection could come back at any time so I can’t say he’s better, but we’re taking one day at a time.

At the same time he gave Harley her annual check-up and boosters and found her teeth absolutely thick with tartar and her gums all red and sore. What a shock!

So she was booked in to have her teeth cleaned, given an antibiotic shot and had cultures taken to send to the University of Glasgow just in case there was some underlying cause of the gingivitis.

In the meantime, my lovely friend Pat (thank you, Pat) recommended Plaque-off for Harley, so I got some and she loves it on her food.

The results came back clear. No obvious cause. The only thing I can think is that it had something to do with her poor start in life – she was thrown over the sea wall with her brother as a kitten and luckily someone saw it happen and saved them.

So she now has her Plaque-off and special dental food which I mix in with her normal food, plus any treats she has are dental ones, like Toothies. Her gums look fine at the moment and she’s going back for a check-up in a month or so. In the meantime, Dusty is keeping a close eye on her!



Every day after his walk Dusty has a bath. I make sure there is no sand or dirt or grit left for him to lick off. He only goes out in the garden on a lead so there’s no chance of him rooting round and picking anything up such as cat poo, bugs, thorny branches or stones.

And he doesn’t have any of his chewy toys any more, just his treat ball. It sounds as if I’ve taken all the fun out of his life doesn’t it, but he’s just as happy and even happier when Poppy is round to play. He runs for miles along the shore and over the marshes so he gets plenty of exercise. So does Poppy. And she sleeps a lot!



As for me, the sinus infection came back. I had another course of antibiotics which caused all the usual nasty side effects – and didn’t work anyway. I tried the steroid nasal spray which made me feel a lot worse. Then I got myself a neti pot which I found unpleasant – it’s like a little teapot and you pour water up one nostril and it comes down the other one. I react badly to decongestants, so I can’t take those – sigh. Never happy am I?

Pat suggested Homeopathy (thank you again, Pat), so I’m giving that a go now along with a saline nasal spray, but I’ll go back to the doctor if it doesn’t clear up.

Honestly this blog is starting to read more like a list of ailments and moans. I’ll try to think of something more interesting and uplifting next time.

Almost everyone I know has been ill one way or another this winter, but there are snowdrops out and the daffs are in bud and the days are getting longer. Spring will soon be here! What a lovely thought.



34 comments:

  1. Oh, poor you! I do hope you all improve soon. But....I saw a skylark swinging (and singing) high up above the hills last week, so spring must be on the way!

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    1. They're lovely to hear aren't they - Dusty nearly fell over backwards trying to see one right above him xx

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  2. Great news about Harley and Dusty!
    But poor you. I hope the nat mur works - SOON.
    Frances, I haven't seen a skylark for years. Used to love watching and listening.

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    1. Thank you, Pat - for your advice and your kindness xx

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  3. I'm glad you're back on your blog, Teresa - I was missing your updates of your furry family. Tartar on teeth is a nuisance, isn't it. Bob has it bad on his (not that he has many left!). I really sympathise with the sinus infection, it sounds horrible. I hope you manage to shift it soon x

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    1. Thank you, Wendy. I hope we've got on top of the tartar problem now, fingers crossed xx

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  4. You've reminded me of cleaning the teeth of the two labradors belonging to our Girl Guider. My friend and I did it with a toothbrush and toothpaste (special dog toothpaste but the brush was like a normal one) They seemed to enjoy it but we had to keep a firm grip on the brush or they'd try to run off with it and make us chase them.

    Hope everyone who has been poorly soon feels much better.

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    1. That is funny, Patsy - they always try to eat the toothbrush or run off with it - I thought it was just me, now I feel better xx

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  5. Oh Teresa. I so hope long before spring springs you and yours are in full health again. Out this morning and carpets of snowdrops along nearly all the hedgerows - such an uplifting sight. So good to have a Blog from you again. You were missed xx

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    1. Thank you, Sue - you always say lovely things xx

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  6. Nice to see you back! Don't like the sound of your nasal teapot though. We will all feel better for a bit of sun, I'm sure. It's been a long, dark winter, and it seems to drag more every year. x

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    1. That made me laugh, Joanne - nasal teapot - that is such a better description of it. I know some people who swear by them, I just swore at mine xx

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  7. Good to see you back on your blog, Teresa - I was hoping everything was okay. It's been a bad last few months of winter for many so I do hope you feel better soon. I still maintain drinking a daily glass of warm water with fresh lemon, fresh ginger and a little Manuka honey is one of the best antiseptics for sinus problems. Keep well.

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary - I remembered you telling me that and forgot to say that I am trying that drink too. I love the taste of Manuka honey - it tastes like honey used to when I was a child xx

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  8. I'm so sorry you and Dusty have been having a bad time, Teresa, but I'm really glad you are blogging again. Like Rosemary, I was wondering if you were all right. Those sinus infections are so nasty and can take a while to clear, but I'm sure you soon be feeling much better as you have been suffering for a long time now. You deserve a fantastic new lease of life and now that spring is coming, better days will be just around the corner. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Joanna. It certainly feels like spring today (I'll gloss over the ice on the windscreens this morning) - the sun has warmth xx

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    2. So pleased to see you back here, Teresa. You have been much missed. I'm just sorry you have been through such a rough time. I know how distressing it is when a much loved pet is poorly, without having to cope with the miseries of sinus problems as well.
      Better times are sure to be just round the corner. Hugs to all of you. xx

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    3. Thank you, Rena. It certainly feels as if better times aren't far away the way the sun is shining today xx

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  9. I've missed seeing you around and also reading your blog. I hope Dusty will be better soon, and you as well. I've made a note about the Plaque-off stuff Harley's having in case my three kittens should ever need it, though they do get denti-treats each day now they're older (7 months old now!) I'm still recovering from the keyhole surgery I had on 25th Feb when my gall bladder was removed. It's great now the 'rock solid' gall bladder has gone, but 2 of the 4 wounds are taking ages to heal and, like you, I've been on antibiotics for the past fortnight. Let's hope the arrival of Spring and sunshine, and flowers, will make all us 'crocks' feel better. xx

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    1. I never see any of your updates on Facebook (even before I started to avoid it) which is what annoys me so much about FB - I get my page stuffed full of rubbish and miss out on seeing the things I'd want to see. Just been there and seen your kittens - so gorgeous!

      I hope your wounds heal soon and you can stop taking the antibiotics. I know someone who had the gallbladder keyhole surgery and she said it changed her life so much for the better.

      As well as a version for dogs and cats, Plaque off do a special one for cats with brewers yeast which is what I got for Harley, Hopefully your lovely kitties won't need it for a very long time.

      Hope you feel much better soon xx

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  10. Oh Teresa you poor thing. Sinus trouble is so painful, i do hope that the Homeopathy remedy works soon. xx

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    1. Thanks, Deb. Just caught up with your lovely Ireland blog xx

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  11. It's that time of year, Teresa. You are allowed a moan and groan. Spring will soon bring us all better health and a more positive outlook on life. In the meantime, give yourself time to heal and be kind to yourself. Lots of pampering in order!!

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  12. I was interested in your comment about homoeopathy. I went to see an amazing doctor last week. He's a consultant audiologist called Dr Alam Hussain, who is also trained in homoeopathy, acupuncture and Bioregulatory Medicine. I'll try to get down to explaining it all on my blog, but the upshot is that amongst the various remedies is a Euphorbium sinus spray and I must admit that I can breathe a little more easily after only two doses, though I am sniffing and blowing a lot! So perhaps it's something worth pursuing, Teresa. Best of luck!

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    1. That would be very interesting to read about on your blog. The Euphorbium sinus spray sounds very good - hope it continues to help you - I may give that a try, thanks for the tip xx

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  13. You do seem to be going through the wars at the moment Teresa and you have been missed on your blog. But I understand that sometimes you just need a break away from social media to deal with real life. Spring is definitely on the way now, so that always makes us feel better.

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    1. Thank you, Maggie. I was starting to feel overwhelmed with all the social media stuff. Looking forward to spring and getting back onto BST again xx

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  14. 2nd attempt at leaving a comment - I think it was my fault (son-in law was logged into Google on my Mac and ... well... I wont bother to go into it but my comment was lost.) Sorry to hear of all your woes - I did wonder where you had got to but I have been a bit lax with posting myself since Christmas. Today the sun is shining and I am allowed to tell people that one of my daughters is expecting again - could this be a girl? No matter if not, my four grandsons are all gorgeous and one more would be lovely. So, Arthur Bear will soon have a little brother or sister and the family is growing. I do understand your love/hate relationship with social media - we all need a break from it at times - I hope the Spring weather cheers you - it is a beautiful sunny day here today. Good to have you back :-)X

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    1. What wonderful news, congratulations! Oh I do agree, another boy would be just as lovely and as loved as a little girl. You've put a big smile on my face xx

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  15. Teresa, I'm happy to see you back on the blog again, stuff happens and sometimes we have to take a break away. Sounds like things have been complicated, lets hope things are now on the up! Take care of you and yours, and I look forward to hearing more from you soon. X

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  16. I am glad you are all on the mend. I hope things are now falling into place for you some more. I have been hoping all is okay. It is indeed fabulous to know that Spring is on the way -I have seen some beautiful crocuses lately! really huge.....

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    1. Thank you, Jenny. I think Spring has arrived xx

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