Two years ago last month, Alisha and I picked up Chloe from the vet after she spent the day there for observation following her knee surgery. It was on February 6th, 2009 and I remember it well because I thought for sure that she was going to die that day. She hopped into the car, excited as always to go for a ride and to see us. She was very thirsty though and was drinking out off a water cup that Alisha had. We got home and she dove right into the water bowl and drank for a while and I knew that wasn’t normal. It seemed like she hadn’t had a drink all day. I let Chloe and Chanel outside and they played for about a minute and then Chloe started to foam at the mouth and her stomach was very tight. I knew exactly what was happening from reading about it and knowing of the condition from being told about the movie Marley and Me. Her Stomach had twisted, otherwise known as bloat. I rushed her back to the car and off to the emergency vet we went.
I made the mistake in the past of not knowing where the emergency vet was located. My dog Dutchess was run over and we drove around for what seemed like an hour trying to find the vet. We didnt have the luxury of smart phones back then. She died on the way in my ex-wife’s arms. I would never make that mistake again. Off to the vet I went with Chloe!
We got there in about 20 minutes and they took Chloe straight back. Dr. Meyer at Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service was awesome. I probably looked like my world was crashing around me but she was calm and collected. She came back out and gave me the diagnosis and asked what I wanted to do. There wasn’t even a decision to make for me, and she let me see her one more time before the surgery. I sat in that waiting room for what seemed like forever, just knowing that I would be going home alone. I was sure of it. By the time Dr. Meyer came back out to let me know how everything went, I had already set my expectations very low.
Well, obviously you see pictures of Chloe on Dog Dazed now, so you already know the outcome. Dr. Meyer told me she is going to be fine and to come back at 6 AM to pick her up. When I arrived back in the morning, Chloe literally pulled me by her leash out of that place and into the car, like nothing ever happened!
I am telling this story to stress the importance of knowing exactly where the after hours emergency vet is closest to you. There is nothing more helpless than not knowing where to take your pet in case of an emergency. I know we have technology now that makes this a little easier, but check the place out while you are driving around one day. Make sure you know exactly where it is. It will save you time and stress if the need to get there ever arises.
The two locations we have been to are here in Tampa and have great staff and Veterinarians. They have always been straight with us on what is best to do and have treated our dogs like their own. Check them out.
Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service
Florida Veterinary Service – Now called Bluepearl Vet, this site lists several emergency offices throughout Tampa Bay.
Human Designed. Dog Refined! 