In the car today there were 6 dogs, out for a run, a trip into town, “hey we escaped”, “oh dear this isn’t good” or call it by any other name but basically, a trip to the vet.

Alison & Joe are currently spending time visiting the shelter during their stay in Chiang Mai and demonstrating what volunteering is all about. Mucking in, getting your hands dirty and just doing what ever needs doing.

Today, quite amazingly, Joe & Alice rode their scooter the 12 kilometres from town out to the shelter & then followed me back into town on their bike, in order to see what goes on inside the vet clinic’s white door. Then after they took lunch, they scootered back to the shelter & carried on where they left off… walking, grooming & socialising the residents.

Anyway, back to the vet clinic.

First on the table was Clyde. Now this little bundle of mischief is usually extremely difficult to handle, very shy, the term ‘elusive’ springs to mind and not likely to be your best mate.

But with a collar & lead, he is very subdued and you do get a chance to chat with him.

He said that after spending so much time cramped in a box out at San Kampaeng with that dear old lady, he kind of lost touch with reality and became a bit of a recluse. To add to his problems, he said that being ‘just one of the other guys’ was not really his style and therefore living at the shelter with so many other bully boys, made him more defensive.

Clyde was along today because we have noticed a small growth on his lower gum, sprouting out from where at some time in the past he lost a tooth.

The vet took one look and diagnosed ‘Epulid’. Apparently these growths are benign and unless the size of it interferes with his eating & breathing, we could leave it as it is. We shall monitor it’s size.

Next to be examined by Dr Beer was Fritzy. Now to anyone looking at this dog without knowing him, they would think would think he was a right handful and difficult. But in fact, he is so gentle and cuddly.

His eyes are both blue and tests show that the cataracts are quite advanced and it is most likely he cannot see anything. He has chronic corneal ulcers too which we are already treating. But the reason we brought him along today was because of a slight limp in his rear left leg. After palpation & manipulation by the vet, she suggested it could be a sign of Hip Dysplasia. Again, another case of us needing to observe his condition and note any developments.

Lizzy the escape artist, was next to be seen. Like Clyde, Lizzy was once a prisoner living a life in a box. Here is the original story from June 2007 … Karin & I were near her home searching for another dog that had disappeared from the temple and we were concerned for his health.

We happened to hear Lizzy crying & barking form behind a house. The owner apprehended our search and was not happy that we were looking behind his home. We eventually saw Lizzy being kept in a wooden box, apparently for her own good, because they thought she was special.

Anyway, now Lizzy (pictured here with Joe & Alice) lives at the shelter. She likes to climb the fence and lay at the front entrance to the shelter, free and untethered. She also likes to take a walk along the road and into the orchards and fields.

Today, Lizzy was seeing the vet as her left eye is very swollen & inflamed. The vet suggested this could be due to snake venom, a chemical from a plant or insect but exactly what, she was unsure. We will treat her inflammation and observe how she is this next few days.

Naam was next to be seen. I don’t think I have met a more inquisitive dog before, especially in respect of what happens on the veterinarian couch. She showed great interest in what was going on and as can be seen from the photo, she knew exactly what was going on !

The real reason for her visit today is that her neck has become very itchy and is rubbed red raw.

The vet did various tests but nothing showed up as the cause.

So far that’s 1 diagnosis and 3 not sure’s!

Next up was Suki, a box friend of Clyde’s, so they got on ok, sitting on the front seat in the car.

This last week, she showed signs of limping and licking her front left paw. We had found a wound on one of her toes.

The vet took a closer look and shaved the hair away. Nothing too serious and merely needs daily cleaning and application of Betadine.

She also has an enlarged teat but the vet said this looked to be an old growth and not something to worry about.

We will keep an eye on it, to see if it becomes inflamed or irritated.

Last up was Judy White.

Now please understand that we do change the doggies’ wardrobe regularly, it’s just that Judy likes this suit and  we wash it for her & put it back on, especially for occasions like vet trips.

Anyone reading last weeks vet trip would think we didn’t change her top but we do. Honest!

Today, Judy was back to the vet because her joints are badly swollen. Last week the vet explained that Judy’s heart was causing her great difficulties and now her joins were suffering, an added complication of her heart condition.

The vet prescribed the use of Glucosamine to help her a little.

That’s it for another vet trip.

But when I got back to the shelter & everyone had decamped from the Toyota Vios (we really do need a truck – anyone fancy donating their old pick-up to Care for Dogs?) there was a lady waiting patiently for my attention.

Lissa had come to the shelter today, with 2 large sacks of dog biscuit food, making a donation to Care for Dogs whilst visiting Chiang Mai from her home in Bangkok.

She told me that after visiting a local orphanage and seeing so many people helping children, she wondered if anyone here looked after dogs. Thankfully, the pet shop she visited directed her to our shelter.

Thank you Lissy, you are a very dear & sweet lady.