Ultrasound and x-ray for Rusty without anaesthetic

My Rusty came with me on an in-and-out road trip to CT for a meeting with an overnight stop on the out and back routes. She is a great traveller and it was special for us to hang out. Tomorrow is our 6th adopt-versary.

We had a bit of a worry when I spotted blood in her urine during our Tuesday evening walkies. At 8am on Wednesday morning, we were at the Bergview vet in Hermanus. They found crystals (and bacteria) in her urine, recommended an ultrasound soonest and gave her antibiotics and pain meds.

I called my vet, Vetcare Animal Clinic - George and got her booked in for an ultrasound for our return home.

Rusty never complains about anything and had been her normal self - playful, loving walks, loving road trip and devouring meals. I had no sign that anything was wrong.

We're back from the vet and thank goodness there are no blockages and no kidney stones. Vet thinks the crystals are secondary to an infection she must have had.

What I am super proud of is that we did x-ray and ultrasound today without anaesthetic. She was held, of course, especially being on her back for the ultrasound - and having her belly shaved. Rusty is quite a private girl a d doesn't like to be exposed but she handled this all really, really well. One of the veterinary assistants hugged her shoulders, another had her back legs. And I focused on her face and eyes - and mouth with yummy liver treats. She came out with smiles, she stuck out her tongue, she made cute faces and she gave the assistant a kiss. This girl!

At dog school, one of the things that Teacher Nics has always said is that it is so important to train your dogs to lie on their sides and to stay there - and for strangers like a vet to be able to inspect them. This makes doing things like x-rays possible without needing to sedate the dog. Rusty got full marks today.

Rusts is in for a diet change to food that will help to dissolve the crystals, needs to finish her course of meds and will be under my watchful eye. She is otherwise in great condition for being 11 to 12 years old.