The Lumps
It started with a couple of lumps on either side of his jaw. They weren't massive, but they were noticeable. What should you do? Do you leave them and wait to see if they're just an infection, or do you take Pedro to the vets?
I had just started a new term with a new insurer on 12th April, so anything I found now would be marked as a pre-existing condition due to the warm-up period. As the old saying goes, you can't live with them and you can't live without them (insurance companies).
After seeking second, third, fourth and fifth opinions from family and friends, I decided to put Pedro's interests first and made an appointment at the vet's to have him checked over and find out if we needed to be concerned.
The Vet's Visit
Pedro has always been wary of the vet's surgery, which is located upstairs in Pets at Home. He is in his element when heading in that direction and usually likes to reply to emails or mark his territory two or three times. This usually ends in embarrassment, but the staff are always kind, even if they're saying it through gritted teeth. They say things like, "Oh, it's fine. We're used to it!" Yes, that may be true, but it doesn't make it right. On arrival at the vet, Pedro instinctively knew that this was not his happy place. As soon as the vet came out, he refused to go into "that room", so, as usual, we had to switch rooms and open another consulting room door, which he walked into very obligingly.
During the check-up, he focused on the treats sprinkled on the examination table while the vet checked his teeth, weight, and all the other usual factors. It turns out that he's still the original 'fat boy', but we already knew that — he's always just teetering on the plus side of acceptable. Don't worry, Pedro — Daddy has been teetering on the NHS obesity scale for most of his life; it's nothing to be ashamed of!
Laoise, the vet, wasn't able to take a sample of the swellings because it was difficult to calm Pedro down. We left with Gabapentin and another sedative, the name of which I cannot recall, to give to Pedro before his next visit in a few days to take the samples.
