My wife, Gerry and I have had dogs in all but ten of our fifty-two married years. We each had dogs as kids. It is an understatment to say that we are dog-lovers! The dog we currently pamper and spoil is three year-old, James Wilkerson Yoder, henforth referenced as 'Yodie.' Yodie comes from a good toy poodle bloodline raised by an Amish family in Arthur, Illinois. His eight pounds is jacketed by a white-curly coat. Our three adult children and many of the grandchildren make fun of Nana and Boompa's canine coddling.
Recently, we notice that neutered Yodie frequently has his penis exposed outside the foreskin. I telephoned our long-time Jacksonville vet to inquire of the symptoms. He suggested that Yodie may suffer from paraphimosa. After a brief Internet research of the paraphimosa condition, I swooped up Yodie and told my wife that I was headed to Northgate Pet Clinic. Suffice to say that paraphimosa, untreated, is a potentially super-serious problem for dogs and I might add young boys and old men.
Arriving at Northgate, I promptly sat Yodie on the receptionist's desk and requested that he see Dr. Sullivan. I met Dr. Sullivan, one of four doctors at the clinic, on a previous occasion when our late miniature poodle, Percy needed stiches. The receptionists asked if I had an appointment stating that Dr. Sullivan had four patients ahead of me. She concluded asking if this was an emergency. (Footnote): In my latter years, my hearing is fading and like most hearing-loss people, I tend to talk too loudly. Perhaps I spoke strong and loud when I said, "No, I don't have an appointment and yes it is an emergency, my dog's penis won't retract back into the foreskin!" Two technicians immediately escorted Yodie and the old man into a private waiting area where to Yodie's delight, he found two boxes: toys and treats. Dr. Sullivan entered within five minutes and confirmed a mild case of paraphimosa, which relieved me. He said if the condition worsens, he could do surgery and snip a larger opening of the foreskin thus allowing more room for the penis to retract. I told Sullivan of Yodie's aversion to anesthesia; he then demonstrated with a 'jell' how to manipulate the exposed lubricated penis back ito the foreskin. I took the bottle of jell and headed to the homestead.
Occasionally, I lubricate and attend to Yodie's health issue. I was telling my neighbor about the problem and procedure when he looked at me inquisitively asking, "You really don't do that for a dog?" My neighbor is a nice fellow but obviously, he has well-defined love-committment parameters.
Someday, I will tell my neighbor about the nursing care given my sister in-law who suffers from alzheimer.
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