Poodle problems
Dear Dr. Forsythe: I went to the vet last week because my dog started scratching his ears. I noticed on the bill they did something called a gram stain and also a cytology. I had to pay for both these tests but they only gave me one bottle of capsules to give my dog. I have a Poodle that has had several ear infections before, but the vet has never asked if I wanted to have them put any stain in his ears. Why did they do this? And also answer my more important question – shouldn’t that be included in the cost of the vet’s visit? – Lee, Hiddenbrook
Dear Lee: Thanks for letting me clear up an important topic. Gram stain and cytology are important tests that are done on swabs taken of the debris removed from dogs’ and cats’ ears when they present at an animal clinic with an ear infection. The cellular debris caught on the swabs when the vet wipes the ears out are gently rubbed onto a glass microscope slide and then special stains such as a “gram stain, crystal violet, iodine solution, and safranin counter stain can be added to the slide to reveal various types of cells or organisms that might be on the slide. It’s important for the veterinarian to know if your pet’s infected ears contain gram “positive” or gram “negative” germs in order to know which medication to prescribe. The Gram Stain permits the differentiation of two groups of organisms – one of them “gram positive” the other, “gram negative.” With gram staining methods, the “gram-positive” organisms stain purple, while the “gram-negative” organisms stain red. Gram positive and gram negative organisms require different medications to treat.
In addition, “cytology” is simply looking at cells under the microscope in general. By looking at a cytology of cells (from an ear swab) the veterinarian can see if there are infection fighting cells (neutrophils), yeast particles, or even ear mites (which are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but look like little crabs walking around under the microscope). All these organisms required different treatment approaches, so thorough diagnosis and treatment of an ear ailment would justify doing gram stain and cytology.
Perhaps it would be good to ask some more thorough questions at the veterinarian’s office the next time you take your pet in for a visit – especially if you were under the impression that the doctor was planning on pouring stain into your little pets ears and you had to pay extra for that. I’d say there is a potential communication breakdown, and you may need to take the first step in getting clarification on just what is going in and coming out of that little Poodle’s ears. – Dr. F
Dear Dr. Forsythe: My husband recently decided to get his mother a Standard Poodle since her last dog died about 10 years ago. “Mavis” is getting up there in age now so my husband thought a dog would be a nice companion for her during her mid 80’s. However, the day he brought the puppy over to her and gave it to her, she looked like he brought her a poisonous snake. First she looked shocked, then she acted like a miserable disaster had struck. Not only did she not say thank you, but apparently she didn’t even get up. Honestly, I think she hates the dog, she won’t even try to help it potty train or let it out of the house into the yard. I’m very unhappy for her and a little upset that she didn’t even thank my husband. It looks as if she is keeping the dog (she has had it six months now) but she seems to resent the dog – which was a $600 gift. What should we do? My husband thought buying the same dog they had when he was a child would warm his mother up, but she seems like a cold, distant and unhappy person. I always thought a puppy could warm anybody’s heart up. But we were wrong. Your suggestions? – Well-meaning in-law
Dear In Law: Much as I would love to praise you for the benevolence of giving a sweet little Poodle puppy to your aged mother (in-law), the first thoughts that come to mind are, “What on earth were you thinking?” Who in their right mind would go out and buy a super-senior citizen a surprise puppy they didn’t ask for, want, or know about, and then be surprised and hurt when the person doesn’t respond by hopping out of their wheelchair and doing cartwheels? Sorry to be bitchy about this one, but I suspect she would MUCH rather have had a selection of doilies from Walmart, and ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins and the promise of Sunday morning breakfast at IHOP with her son and his wife. I suspect Mavis is a smart old lady: she realizes that you’d have to be a few aces short of a deck to expect an octogenarian to plan to potty train and socialize and raise a puppy during the advanced sunset years of life. My recommendations: offer to get the puppy and re-home it for her, and get her something she would REALLY like. I have an idea. How about putting your busy lives aside and take her across Canada on the train? I can tell you THIS, if I could have my mother or father back for one week, I’d get the tickets without a thought, pull my boy Magnus from school, yank my daughter back from school in Sweden, and play cards, and tell jokes and laugh all the way across that country on the Starlight Express. You folks still have time!! – Dr. F.
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Regarding the letter from Well-meaning In-Law, it seems obvious that this couple didn’t think through the consequences of giving a growing, energetic puppy as a gift to an octogenarian. They say that their Mother(in-law) had lost her last dog 10 years ago; perhaps they could have gotten a clue from the fact that the woman had chosen not to get another dog—for 10 years! I completely agree with your advice to get the pup re-homed with someone who will give it the life it deserves in a loving home. I also very much agree with your suggestion to see if Mavis would like to join them on a trip or outing; a day out, visiting local wineries, and dinner at one of Sonoma’s great restaurants is a suggestion (besides your idea of a train journey on the Starlight Express). My last advice: Never give an animal as a gift to anyone without being absolutely sure the recipient wants/welcomes it, will love it, be able to care for it (afford feeding and upkeep)!