Poor Sick Monkey

My monkey, the skinny one, has been ill for the past week. AGAIN. This has been a rather trying year for him and for me. Let's not go into the money I spent treating him because I want the best for him. However, he is always refusing to take his medication and I have to hide his pills in food or drinks and he will not even touch his food and end up spoiling the whole meal.

He drives me up the wall and I sometimes end up screaming at him and then I feel bad, very bad about it because he is not young anymore and there isn't much time left for him and the fatty monkey.

The other week when I went to pick up his blood test report, his age was listed as 108. Isn't it shocking???

But when he isn't taking his medication, how does he expect to get cured? I get so stressed out over him, over the both of them, I know it's silly but I rather be the one who is sick.

My friend says I am over obsessed with the two monkeys but how can I not be when we have been together for 12.5 years already without being separated for more than 24 hours and even less?

One Phone Call Also Wanna Save

Well, I wrote that I handed my monkey's bladder stones to my vet to send to the United States for a free urolith test. That was back in early May. He told me that it would take approximately one month for the test to be ready taking into account the shipping time required to and from the United States.

Right now, it is already almost two months and he did not call me up. I am assuming that the test result is already out. He did take down my email address and if he had wanted to save his phone bill, he could shoot me an email but he did not.

Last time when my monkey was to have blood test, when the results came out and he was supposed to call me, I waited and waited but there was no call from him so I called up to enquire. He had the cheek to tell me that it "just arrived" because when I went to his clinic to get the copy of the results, it was written on the letter, "received on such and such a date" which was a few days before my call.

One of his clients already told me that this vet never called anyone up and if he did, can strike lottery already. If I had the time to go over to his clinic, I would call him but right now I am so hard pressed for time that I am putting it off too. Guess I will have to make time again *sigh*

[MYR2.33 X 3] + MYR1.20 + MYR2.70

My poor little monkey has been on medication since the beginning of the month. I am not sure if I wrote about it but the bottle of medication for his arthritis is MYR280 for a bottle that is to be taken for two months.

His medication is so expensive that I just have to calculate how much I am spending on him alone and it works out to be MYR10.89 PER DAY excluding his regular meals and also up keeping my other fatty monkey.

It's not that I am complaining, though, just wanted to know where the money is spent on. My friend, Warren, told me that my monkeys get better health care than him. I am sure he is just mocking me.

You see, animal medical treatment is getting more and more expensive that soon, only the very rich could afford to keep a pet in a healthy, loving environment. It really makes sense to be covered with pet insurance.

I am just thankful that I could afford the little extras for the two monkeys. Heck, after 12.5 years together, they ARE a part of the family. Paul said that if I can't afford it, I can't and there is nothing much that I could do about it on short notice, but God, please don't put me in that spot!

Thunderstorm Everyday!

Bad weather every single day! I did mention that every time it rains my monkey gets frighten of the thunderstorm and lightning that his heart starts to palpitate and he gets into seizures.

Well, when if rains like this everyday, I'm sure you get the picture. As for me, I do not have any respite at all. Want to rest also cannot. Want to work also cannot.

The other day my fatty monkey nearly went into fits three times. Every time it happens, I think my life is blasted a few days. If this goes on, I will be the one who will go into fits, seriously.

I told my friend want to move away with my monkeys to somewhere without rain but he told me that it is the same from Kedah to Penang to Perak to Selangor to Malacca right down to Singapore and even the East Coast.

Isn't it sickening? I surrender lah!

Stone Analysis

So my monkey had his bladder stones out finally and my vet asked me if I would like to have them analysed. My vet told my father that it would cost us at least MYR400 to send the stones to the US and the report will only be back in a month's time.

It's not really the cost factor, but rather, I am taking into account my monkey's age. It I was not threatened that the stones may reform in six months' time, I wouldn't even bother putting him on prescription diet exclusively. Six months is such a short time that his fur won't even be fully grown back yet.

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I wrote to the prescription diet company and found out that it is actually FREE to get a lab analysis in the US. They will even come and pick up the samples. WTF the vet charged us MYR400. Dammit, didn't I say that professionals are mercenary??


Related post:
Looking For Food

Looking For Food

After my monkey underwent a bladder stone surgery, my vet told me that the special diet that I have placed him on is unsuitable, based on the shape of the stones, since I did not opt for a laboratory stone analysis.

So he is selling the new pet food, but they come in cans only but I would rather buy kibbles because the cans are large and I can't feed my monkey the whole can but I do not have a fridge, so only dry food for me, unless the can is smaller.

I called up a few veterinarians but they do not sell this particular brand. These are only sold at veterinarians as they are prescriptive diet and only vets can sell them.

So I didn't want to waste time calling every vet in town. I thought I would write in to the headquarters overseas and ask them which vet is selling the dry food. This information can be obtained from the local distributor since they do know where their food is going, right?

But these people are not making it easy for me to get that information. Do they want to sell their food or not?? The gwailow and the local distributor kept asking to speak to my vet. What is there to talk about when the stones are already with me and my vet has already recommended the type of food to feed based on image comparison, and not scientific analysis?

Anyway, they think that vets here are going to keep remembering their patients. For all I know, the second I walk out that consultation room, he would not even remember me anymore. Yes, sad to say, professionals are very mercenary. Remember the new printer sitting prettily at his office? Cheh!

And so until today, I can't even get that ff****ing information! Buy food also need to be so difficult meh? Make me damn mad only!

Bladder Stone Surgery

Well, it was finally done. At first, we thought we'd only do it later when my monkey is a little fitter but one morning, he could hardly piss, so then we gave the vet a call for an emergency surgery, but he already had another surgery scheduled. We had to wait for the next morning.

The vet had already told us that the next 24 hours following his inability to release his urine is very crucial and any delay could damage his kidneys. Luckily my monkey could at least bring out a few droplets each time he tries.

The next morning, we prepared ourselves and took the little monkey in. He was reluctant to get into the car as if he already knew what was in store for him. Anyway, our appointment was 10am but by the time we reached the clinic, it was already almost 11am.

After running blood tests and checking his weight, it was time to sedate him for the surgery. It didn't even take more than a count to ten for him to be unconscious. The surgery itself took two hours and another half another was for dental scaling which I asked to me done.

By the time he was out of the operating theater, it was almost 3pm. What a long wait it was. The total bill came up to RM800 for bladder stone surgery, RM150 for dental scaling and RM25 for antibiotic drops for ear infection. Total: RM975. Phew, no wonder my purse felt so light already.

So far, my monkey is doing all right. He is in a little pain, as expected, but I hope he will fully recover by next week. There is still follow up visits to the vet maybe four days later and then another visit to undo the stitches. So yeah, it was a long and tiring day but thank God the surgery went well.

Blood Test Report

Yesterday I went to collect the blood profile report of my little monkey. It is not very good. He failed a couple of subjects. His white blood cell count is still very high but it has halved from the first time the vet checked during his first visit.

So that means his health is still not 100% and he has to be on another course of antibiotics. I would say that apart from the bladder stone, his health is only at 80%. He is still weak, though.

This means that my monkey is not fit enough to go through bladder stone surgery as discussed. Preferably, the surgery will be performed when my monkey is completely cured from the bacteria infection, unless it is an emergency brought upon by total urine blockage. God have mercy!

OMG! He's Going To Die!

Last evening, my monkey went into seizures again. My monkey has been suffering from Grand Mal seizures since nine months old and last night's episode was one of the worst, with five attacks within two hours. The worst was six attacks in the same time frame a long time ago.

This bout of seizures was brought on by the monsoon season at the end of the year, and then along came Chinese New Year where every one was playing with fireworks and it's now the rainy season again. Argh how I hate the weather.

It was so bad that at one point, thought that he would not recover. Remember, he is no longer young and seizures are not as easy on him with his age. I called up the vet. He refused to make a house call and asked me to bring my monkey over, which I could not. It was raining and his body temperature was burning hot. And he was going to get one attack after another, how could I move him safely?

So the vet refused to come over, which I hold no grudge against him since it was already an hour an a half since he closed his clinic. But imagine, if it was a real emergency, my monkey would have died. I understand that he is the top vet in town and he is a very busy man, BUT STILL!

It's because I have no other choice that I am stuck with him.

To watch videos of petit mal and grand mal seizures in dogs, click HERE.

Monkey Blood Test

During our last trip to the vet's, the vet advised us to get a full blood profile test of our monkey. We agreed and became RM80 poorer. The entire visit cost RM115. Yes, my monkey has full pet insurance coverage from me.

Anyway, the purpose of the blood test was to check how much he has recovered from his last sickness that was caused by ticks.

And it is also to check his blood readings in preparation of his bladder stone surgery. It just numbs me thinking of what my monkey has to go through. My poor little baby will be in tremendous pain and I along with him.

I don't even know how much this bill will come up to for subsequent follow up reviews at the vet's post operation. I think I will have to set aside RM1500 *sigh*

Three Nicks On My Hand

Today, I discovered three nicks on my right hand only when they hurt because of soapy water. One nick each on my thumb, index and middle fingers.

I barely remember my monkey biting me on two spots recently when he was desperate for food but the third? I have no idea where or when I got that even though it is quite a nasty cut. See how blur I am!

The other day, I was telling my friend, the one who gave me the bottle of Dove cucumber shower cream that I am so blur, one day I will mix up his (now mine) shower cream and my shampoo since both are the same colour except for the different fragrance.

Hahaha what a funny thought although knowing me, this is not impossible!

On The Road To Recovery

It is with great pleasure to announce that my monkey is on the road to recovery. He has been more active, with waggly tail, chasing birds and cats and has been having good appetite for the past few days. I feel like a ton of bricks has been removed from my shoulders.

I am very grateful that we managed to find a vet that has the presence of mind to accurately pinpoint the exact illness and accurate application and prescription of medication.

He was showing signs of improvement on the third day of infusion. The vet even cancelled the subsequent two days of infusion and switched to oral medication. That's good news indeed!

He needs a review at the end of the week. While we do not expect him to be a hundred percent cleared of his illness, we hope that he has made tremendous health progress. I'm waiting for more good news!

At The Vet's

I spent so many hours at the vet's last week that I've seen so many animals that people rear and the domestic accidents that happened to them.

There's the monkey which was scaled by hot water. According to the owner, he has two monkeys and these two are so naughty. They played with a kettle of hot water and one got scalded.

And then there's the macaw who was slashed at the breast by the blade of the ceiling fan. Oh my, that was terrible. Luckily it did not slash his neck!

And again, another case of a bulging eye dislodged from the eye socket. If you remember, there was one case of the toy dog which had the eye dislodged by the neighbour's dog. These two cases really have put me off keeping dogs with bulging eyes FOREVER.

And the classic one was an Ah Beng who brought his 3ft tall (standing on all fours) dog who wore a S&M metal studded fake leather collar. This one came to be boarded.

Well, it's interesting to be at the vet's but it's not where I wanna be!

It's Bacterial Infection

My monkey has been confirmed to have bacterial infection due to ticks. It is in fact quite common among animals but how can the second vet never thought of it? I told him to run blood tests and he asked me back what should he be testing for. D'oh!

He insisted on doing x-rays and it's not that I do not want to do it, but x-rays can definitely not tell anything about the blood. X-rays is for checking blockage in the urinary system but that is secondary when his is too weak from the bacterial infection. He could not even walk steadily and the vet wanted to sedate him. Gimme a break!

It pisses me off that this second vet has delayed my little monkey which could cause him organ damage. We still do not know the extent of the damage, which we will only know when he goes for his review next week.

You tell me, how can I have any confidence in local vets?

Changed Vet

Today, we went to another vet that was recommended by my brother's friend. This vet is touted as currently the best vet in town. I heard about him previously, but have not known anyone who has consulted him before, so I did not go there. Yes, word of mouth is still very important when it comes to medical care for humans and animals.

So I went there in the morning first and later took my monkey in for an examination in the afternoon. You see, I haven't been able to work since before Chinese New Year. I may be fired soon.

We spent a total of three hours there and by the end of the day, we were all exhausted. I forked out RM283 for this visit alone. We still have four days to go to see through this course of medication and each visit will cost me at least RM100. Thank God I am still able to afford the best medical care for him or I would feel damn guilty.

I hope that this is the right course of action to take and that my monkey will recover his health by the end of the week.

Please pray for my monkey.

Monkey Update

Today was the day we were supposed to take the monkey in for an x-ray. The plan was for the vet to come to my house, sedate my poor monkey and then send him to another clinic for x-rays to be taken.

However, my family decided that the monkey, without eating properly for one week already, is too weak to be sedated.

For one, the vet came and without even checking on my monkey, already prepared the anesthetics. I thought that a doctor was supposed to check the patient's heartbeat first?

Secondly, this vet is always giving heavy dosage without taking the patient's age and physical condition into consideration. I started to utilise his services last year when my fatty monkey was very sick and the regular vet who runs an animal clinic five minutes away from my house gave up on him.

In the first visit, no doubt, his diagnosis was accurate and the medicine was right, but the dosage was too heavy.

After giving my fatty monkey his medicine, his heart started to palpitate so fast and he couldn't even rest or stay still. He walked up and down the house from 1am to 1pm. That was a long twelve hours indeed. After that, perhaps the medicine has passed from his body, he settled down but that long night KO-ed him for a few days where he could not walk AT ALL.

Subsequently, whenever I get any medicine from him, I had to half his dosage.

Today, I had to ask him to see my monkey first before giving the injection. He is so weak, what if he cannot wake up from the anesthesia? Who will be responsible?

Anyway, he was rather angry with me for not letting him know that I have postponed the x-ray session. Maybe he was thinking of his income today. The reason I did not let him know beforehand was because he would not have come and check on my monkey otherwise.

So, he dispensed medication to strengthen my monkey which costs a total of RM60, and another RM20 for the house call. I had to go to his clinic which is more than 30 minutes away, to collect the medicine as he came empty handed with the sole purpose of taking my monkey to be x-rayed.

And he had to frighten me by saying that he hopes that within these five days to complete his medication, which my monkey is refusing to take, my monkey's condition will not deteriorate further.

The Wait Is Killing Me

I don't call my town lauyah for nothing. I have waited for DAYS for medical treatment for my monkey. So I have decided that we should at least give him a chance by taking him in for an x-ray and what am I told? It has to be ARRANGED and that I will be called at the first available opportunity.

I was told by my vet, who does not have x-ray or ultra scan facilities at his own clinic, to take my monkey to either place A or B. You say lauyah or not?

And I have been told that my monkey has to be SEDATED just to take a few exposures. Need to go through such lengths meh? For Heaven's sake, he hasn't eaten for days and has even refused medicine; he won't even have the energy to do his trademark lion dance jumping around to avoid the x-rays.

Honestly speaking, I am just so exhausted with everything that is going on and yet I am dreading each minute as it comes. I make ultra bad company right now.

X-Ray or No X-Ray?

If you have been following my blog, you will know that my skinny monkey isn't doing well. He has not been eating normally like he should and whatever food that I managed to make him eat will be vomited out.

He has been having difficultly in urinating, which has actually been a problem for the past couple of years but now, he is dribble urine non-stop even when he is sleeping.

I am in to minds over what I should do for him. For one, I know that he is already at his 13th year and he is not young anymore. If this is the effects of old age, I do not wish to put him through more stress than he is already facing by making him go for tests and such.

Now the vet tells me that he needs my monkey to be x-rayed before he comes up with a proper diagnosis and treatment. And he tells me that he needs to give him sedative. I wanted something less invasive but there is no such thing available.

I really don't know what I should do.

I Wanna Cry NOW

The medication hasn't helped. So the vet says that my monkey needs to be x-rayed. As it is Chinese New Year now, there is nothing much anyone can do since all the businesses are closed.

He told me to contact him on Tuesday and we will take the monkey to be x-rayed somewhere else, not at his clinic. I have no idea where, what is the distance or how much it will cost. The vet says he does not want to spoil my Chinese New Year mood. Well, it is already spoilt! Has been spoilt for years!

As it is now, I am not even celebrating Chinese New Year. What is there to celebrate? My heart is at the pit of my stomach. I don't feel well. I just don't have a good feeling about this.

Somebody, please help me!

Vet's House Call

So the vet came and left and I have paid RM80; RM30 for house call, RM50 for medication. It actually isn't the money issue. But is his diagnosis correct?

He said that my monkey is healthy and does not have a disease. He said what my monkey is going through is just old age where his muscles have weakened. He told me to compare my monkey's age to an 80 year old man.

My vet is always very positive, as opposed to my negativity. He said that what I see is not what he sees and that I like to imagine all sorts of illnesses for my monkeys.

According to my vet, my monkey is not that teruk. Huh, even when he has lost his appetite and vomited his pervious day's food? That doesn't look good to me at all, but he blames it on the hot weather! Duh!

I pray that he is correct. I would be devastated if he has made a wrong diagnosis and that we have wasted crucial time in treating my monkey.