Ace update

A few weeks ago when I came home after work, I noticed that Ace wasn't acting normally. He was very mellow and seemed very lethargic. The next morning, Brantley noticed a large black spot above his eye. After some research, he discovered that it was a tick. So, he performed a little surgery and removed it, but I still wanted to take him to the vet to get checked out. Later that day I took him in for his appointment and explained the tick situation and his symptoms. The vet checked him out and took his temperature. Ace had a slight fever, but the doctor's biggest concern was an abnormal testicle that he felt while doing his exam. He and his colleagues had never had such a case! He gave him some pain meds and told me to drop him off the next morning. He was certain that he'd have to be neutered immediately if the problem didn't get any better over night.

The next morning Brantley dropped him off at the vet hospital. He got a call around noon letting us know that they were going to do surgery, and that we could pick him up early that evening. It turns out that Ace had been playing a little too rough, and a ligament got wrapped around one of his testicles and was cutting off his circulation. Ouch!! They tested it for cancer just in case, and it was negative. They also tested the tick for any diseases, and they've also come back negative. Thank goodness! Since they already had him under anesthesia, they decided to go ahead and pull two teeth that needed to come out, too.

I'm happy to report that our little guy is now fully recovered and doing quite well! He had to endure an e-collar for 5 days and 10 days without any walks, but as of Sunday, we're back on track!

After 3 office visits and a surgery, our vet bill has added up to about $800. Yikes! Fortunately, he's had all of his vaccinations now so hopefully we won't have to go back anytime soon.