The Spanish Word for Doctor is Doctor
Yesterday was a day of doctoring. My grandma had surgery in Ohio. One of our kids went to the doctor with a sore throat. And Jovi met our new vet for the first time.
Any time you move, you have no choice but to find new things that you like: new restaurants, new walking paths, new directions, new friends, new entertainment. And new doctors.
Of course you don't actually have to move for this to be an issue. Your doctor could move, or retire. Your insurance could change, or you could have to see a specialist for the first time.
Regardless of the reason, finding a new doctor can be challenging. Whether it is for you, your pet, or another family member, it can be stressful. Sometimes you are lucky enough to find a good one the first time around, but other times you have to shop around.
Jovi spent a TON of time (and money!) at the vet's office in California last year. Months of searching for what was causing her pain. But in those months, I came to trust our veterinarian. I trusted her recommendations for the next course of action. I knew I could call and ask questions. And she even called me to check on Jovi between appointments.
Two weeks ago, my suspicions started to suggest that something was wrong with Jovi. She wasn't in any pain, she didn't have any complaints, but I thought I felt a mass below her ear. I missed being able to call a doctor I knew. When an abscess popped out on her neck a few days ago, my suspicions were confirmed. And I missed being able to take her somewhere familiar.
But I did what you do when you don't know what to do. I asked someone else.
When I moved to Indiana in 2006 and had to find all new doctors, I asked my coworkers where to go. When my grandma moved to Ohio in 2015, my mom took her around to meet new doctors. And this weekend, I called Baja Bed and Biscuit, the pet boarding place where Jovi spent a couple of nights in December when Randy and I had to go to El Centro, California, to do some Christmas shopping for the kids.
Vicki immediately recommended a particular veterinarian in town. She had a second suggestion as well. But told me that they don't work weekends. Which was unfortunate when, on Sunday while Randy and I were at church, Jovi's abscess burst all over our living room floor.
Had we not been through this last year I would have completely freaked out and probably taken her to the people's hospital. But since I'd seen puss ooze out of her neck before, I could remain calm. We spent the day putting warm compresses on her neck and took her in to the doctor first thing Monday morning.
At this vet's office, the exam "room" is visible from the waiting room, so while we were waiting our turn I could watch the doctor work. He was quick, but thorough. He was young, but confident. And he spoke a combination of Spanish and English.
I was sold when a couple brought in a dog who'd been pulled out of the marina by fishermen. They didn't know the dog, or how long she had been swimming. But when they pulled her out discovered that she couldn't walk. Had she been thrown into the water by her owners when she got sick? Or was her illness a result of being stranded at sea? Her gums were pure white. An indication of dehydration at best, imminent death at worst. While warming a bottle of saline, the doctor rubbed the dogs shoulders and talked to her softly. The dog lifted her head and licked the doctor's face. "Does she have a name?" the doctor asked. No one knew. "Marina," the doctor said, "because that is where she was found." I immediately knew that we'd found the right doctor.
Jovi's turn was next. She got a quick examination from the doctor and a report of her health condition from us. The doctor said it wouldn't be uncommon for her to have an infected salivary gland, from the trauma she'd had in the same area last year. He gave us a round of antibiotics (the exact same antibiotics she'd been on in California last year) and told us to return next week, or sooner if she had any complications.
When we returned to Sonshine Hacienda, everyone asked how Jovi was doing. And how much it cost for her to see the doctor. It had cost us 800 pesos, or $40, which is a week's pay for someone in Mexico. I had noticed while we were there that all his clients were American, and now I knew why.
But the stress of finding a new doctor for Jovi is over! And for that, I am grateful.
Any time you move, you have no choice but to find new things that you like: new restaurants, new walking paths, new directions, new friends, new entertainment. And new doctors.
Of course you don't actually have to move for this to be an issue. Your doctor could move, or retire. Your insurance could change, or you could have to see a specialist for the first time.
Regardless of the reason, finding a new doctor can be challenging. Whether it is for you, your pet, or another family member, it can be stressful. Sometimes you are lucky enough to find a good one the first time around, but other times you have to shop around.
Jovi spent a TON of time (and money!) at the vet's office in California last year. Months of searching for what was causing her pain. But in those months, I came to trust our veterinarian. I trusted her recommendations for the next course of action. I knew I could call and ask questions. And she even called me to check on Jovi between appointments.
Two weeks ago, my suspicions started to suggest that something was wrong with Jovi. She wasn't in any pain, she didn't have any complaints, but I thought I felt a mass below her ear. I missed being able to call a doctor I knew. When an abscess popped out on her neck a few days ago, my suspicions were confirmed. And I missed being able to take her somewhere familiar.
But I did what you do when you don't know what to do. I asked someone else.
When I moved to Indiana in 2006 and had to find all new doctors, I asked my coworkers where to go. When my grandma moved to Ohio in 2015, my mom took her around to meet new doctors. And this weekend, I called Baja Bed and Biscuit, the pet boarding place where Jovi spent a couple of nights in December when Randy and I had to go to El Centro, California, to do some Christmas shopping for the kids.
Vicki immediately recommended a particular veterinarian in town. She had a second suggestion as well. But told me that they don't work weekends. Which was unfortunate when, on Sunday while Randy and I were at church, Jovi's abscess burst all over our living room floor.
Had we not been through this last year I would have completely freaked out and probably taken her to the people's hospital. But since I'd seen puss ooze out of her neck before, I could remain calm. We spent the day putting warm compresses on her neck and took her in to the doctor first thing Monday morning.
At this vet's office, the exam "room" is visible from the waiting room, so while we were waiting our turn I could watch the doctor work. He was quick, but thorough. He was young, but confident. And he spoke a combination of Spanish and English.
I was sold when a couple brought in a dog who'd been pulled out of the marina by fishermen. They didn't know the dog, or how long she had been swimming. But when they pulled her out discovered that she couldn't walk. Had she been thrown into the water by her owners when she got sick? Or was her illness a result of being stranded at sea? Her gums were pure white. An indication of dehydration at best, imminent death at worst. While warming a bottle of saline, the doctor rubbed the dogs shoulders and talked to her softly. The dog lifted her head and licked the doctor's face. "Does she have a name?" the doctor asked. No one knew. "Marina," the doctor said, "because that is where she was found." I immediately knew that we'd found the right doctor.
Jovi's turn was next. She got a quick examination from the doctor and a report of her health condition from us. The doctor said it wouldn't be uncommon for her to have an infected salivary gland, from the trauma she'd had in the same area last year. He gave us a round of antibiotics (the exact same antibiotics she'd been on in California last year) and told us to return next week, or sooner if she had any complications.
When we returned to Sonshine Hacienda, everyone asked how Jovi was doing. And how much it cost for her to see the doctor. It had cost us 800 pesos, or $40, which is a week's pay for someone in Mexico. I had noticed while we were there that all his clients were American, and now I knew why.
But the stress of finding a new doctor for Jovi is over! And for that, I am grateful.
Oh my sweet Jovi! We sure miss that girl around here. Hope she is feeling better. Love following your new adventure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Anne! Jovi is doing great! All healed from several different adversities. And never once complained about having to take meds (maybe it was the hot dogs we wrapped them in?). She sure misses getting to vacation at your house though! She came home from her first overnight at the B&B with a cactus quill in her coat!
Delete