Yesterday we had an appointment at the vets with our two oldies for their MOT's. I couldn't believe the jungle drums had been beating that loud that a vet in a different practise already knew about Diesel. Though she didn't have all the facts, and had taken the impression that he was our dog, she knew what had happened. To be honest though people's ability to talk never ceases to amaze me, I'm glad she knew as we had a long chat with her about the circumstances and the risks to the others in the litter. Though it was of no help what so ever to poor Sue and Alex, it was comforting to us to hear that she, like Diesel's own vet felt this to be a sad but isolated case ... Sadly something that can and does happen in their world!
Finlay passed his MOT with flying colours. A professional examination of his eyes proves he is still under the age of 10 yrs...(Don't ask, I don't understand-but an eye specialist can apparently see a change somewhere in the eye that happens at around the age of 10 yrs) ... which I must admit surprised me as I often feel he's older. But I guess it goes to prove that we were pretty close to ageing him correctly as 4 years old back in July 2007. The vet was not in the least bit worried that he occasionally leaves his breakfast, and at 41.65kg she actually felt it to be a good thing!!!!! Though in fairness she did say he wasn't overweight, but she wouldn't be happy to see any more on him. His heart is strong and beating correctly, and his teeth and mobility are excellent for an older dog. She was impressed with his diet saying that CSJ is in her mind one of the better dogs foods and Old Champ is absolutely ideal for dogs of his age... yeah she said he's a fit, health, happy dog.
Considering Abi is fast approaching 18 and hadn't seen a vet since 2006 I was a little apprehensive about her MOT. The conclusions are that she has a slight heart murmur on the right side of her heart, which really is only to be expected at her age. Her teeth are quite bad, but I guess we knew that! They are not serious enough that she needs attention come hell or high water and she's left it to us to monitor the situation. Last Summer we noticed Abi was having some difficulties coming in through the kitchen window so we had a cat flap put in the door in the middle room for her and her "friends!" The vet informed us that her reduced mobility is down to arthritic hips. Metacam was prescribed to see it it helps her mobility, and it may help if she has dental pain. (Which the way she eats I doubt!)
Vet Jill felt that her general body condition was excellent and shereally could pass as a 10 year old .. I must admit I was quite chuffed! I did inform her that we feel she is stone deaf and living in a world of her own. (be it a happy world) She said it's very normal for a cat of her age to become quite muddled ... yeah muddled that's a nice term, I didn't have the guts to tell her I call her cuckoo brains these days ... the cat not the vet!
So here's hoping that it will be 12 months time before our senior citizens visit the vet again and that then it'll only be for another MOT!
With my mind still jumping from one emotion to another over the loss of
poor Diesel, I was today at least able to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and talk face to face with the vet who performed the PM. Nothing will ever bring the boy back and it breaks my heart to think of the loss of such a beautiful young dog; but I now have a responsibility to the rest of the litter and any future generations of "Blaniks!" I take comfort that the vets informed me first hand that Diesel did not died from a hereditary condition, this was a tragic, isolated incident and not in any way genetic. I have 6 generations at stake here and I have to take the matter very seriously. Though we have never had heart abnormalities within the generations I will health test the girls again before breeding from them as I feel we can never be too careful. (the girls like Diesel were health tested as 8 week old pups) 
