This about sums up the last 5 days or so….
Well, this, and Joy not feeling well. And rain.
But I believe it’s all going to improve by tomorrow.
The rain should stop and it’s time for this cold to break up. Joy already feels better.
Rather ironic I thought, since I talked about improving health as one of my goals in 2016 in my last blog, that I should begin it with a cold…my first cold while traveling. I did have one in May, but that was just after I’d checked into my vacation rental for one month, for Jason and Mandy’s wedding.
I was hoping this would be a mild cold…silly me….I never get a ‘mild’ cold. At least I know now, what it’s like to have a cold, and rain, and two big dogs, while living in a tiny trailer. Even Joy seems to have a cold…Kennel Cough? She’s had it before, despite Bordetella vaccine. I started her on antibiotics immediately, and she’s already much improved. We have a vet appointment in Blythe on Monday, which is the soonest available. There is a vet in Q, but I only hear very negative comments about him. I could say, I wouldn’t go to him unless it was an emergency, but apparently he doesn’t do emergencies. Huh?
So where did I get the antibiotics for Joy? Here is some info for you if you are considering long time or full time travel with pets. At a routine vet visit a few months before I was ready to leave on my adventures, I told Dr Clark what I was planning. I asked if it might be possible for him to send me off with some emergency medications, jic I was out in the boonies somewhere, and Joy or Shiloh got sick or was injured. He fully complied with my request and before we left he supplied me with a few hundred dollars worth of dog meds including antibiotic, pain med, ear med and much more. (This included heart worm medication, which accounts for about half the $$). Also calming collars to help them relax while riding in the car, which I used at first, but no longer need. I don’t know if this is something all vets would do, but it’s worth a try. I’ve known Dr Clark for many years, and he knows I was a nurse. He also told me to never hesitate to call his office, or have another vet call his office, if needed. Also make sure you have a copy of all vaccines and other useful information with you. I keep their proof of rabies vaccine in the glove box, but actually, I’ve never needed to show it to anyone yet.
I’m very glad that I have full hookups right now, and I’m stationary for awhile. Soup and tea, Puffs and cold meds have been the order of the day…times 5, so I’m looking very much forward to feeling better again!
Wandering Spirit 
Oh my! 2016 can only get better, get well soon 🤒
Thank you Maureen. Work in’ on it…
Excellent idea about the dog meds. It gives peace of mind to have them on hand. Fell better soon! I started off the year with a nasty cold, too. I had just flown up to MA from FL to help my daughter out for a week. Lot of help I was with a cold and fever 😟
Hi Marcia, thank you.
Colds can be so darn untimely! Last one I had was during the wedding. Likely yours found you on your flight.
Not fun – feel better. There is an epidemic of that going around here too and hard to avoid. Pamper yourself – hope you have good books/movies to keep you occupied. Warm hugs!
Hi Ruby Red, thank you for the good thoughts.
Between the books, Kindle app, and Internet, I’m keeping occupied. Face Book can be a huge time consumer. 😏. Also spending lots of time sneezing, blowing my nose and coughing. 😤😤 yuck.
Wishing you well very soon! It’s seems everyone I know has either had it or has it…not that that makes you feel any better :-/. Great advice on the pet preparations.
Hoping the sun comes out (it’s wet and chilly here in Tucson too) and you are back in the pink ASAP!
Hi Roxanne, thank you. And I do like pink. 😀
Seems like all the normally warmish areas of Arizona this time of year have been wet and cool and cloudy of late. Most of the first half of my life was spent in Michigan though, so I’m not complaining!
I hope everyone is feeling better soon. Ruby is right, pamper yourself. But than that’s good advice for everyday.
Also good advice on puppy medical history I suppose that applies to myself as well. Do you know if there is a standard computer format for medical history or should I plan on carrying a hard copy of all this stuff? If you do have to get a cold at least you are someplace warm and with hookups. Feel better soon.
Thanks Badger Rick,
Yes, I did fail to mention health information for humans, didn’t I? I would think there are on line forms, though I have not seen any. (something else to work on). I carry all the hard copy with me. It’s just a few folders, or six, but in this limited storage,that takes precious space. Dog folders are much smaller!
Well, NOT a good way to start out the year but probably fairly typical for a lot of folks!!! Hope you are well soon!
A little random information – I had kennel cough go through my place about a year ago. I was shocked when about 6-7 dogs got sick and called my vet because I require every dog that comes through to have current bordatella vaccine. (FYI for those of you reading this who don’t know me, I have a small boarding kennel). Turns out kennel cough in dogs is much like flu in humans. We get the shot and it covers MOST of the strains of flu but not all. Same with bordatella! Go figure!
Hi Marsha, and thanks for your good thoughts.
Yes, the first time Joy had Kennel Cough she was immunized, and so was the dog she caught it from. That’s when I found out Bordedella was only one of various bacteria or I guess in some cases viruses, that causes it…just like you said….as with the flu. It’s highly contagious, but last time Shiloh never got it, even though they live together, use the same water bowl, etc. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he won’t get it this time either, but I’m ready with the antibiotics if he shows signs. For anyone reading this, ‘signs’ at least for Joy have been lethargy, and I gagging kind of cough and runny nose.
Well, Marcia and I both got the cold too, me right at Thanksgiving time while in California, she a week later while we were in Arizonia. Although I was able to function most of the time, it took three weeks to be totally free of the cold for both of us, so by Christmas we were pretty much both over it. Good luck!
I did read where you got sick and then Marcia caught it Dave. Almost impossible not to spread that stuff in such a close environment. This thing just goes on and on. I keep telling myself this was the worst day of it, but that turns out not to be true.
You had yours before the holidays, and I waited till after.
I have had 3 ‘regular’ vets for Patches. When I have explained how we live all of them have been quick to give ma a year supply of heart worm medicine. That is the only thing she takes other than her annual shots. Only have had to show her shot record once and that was to get her into a kennel, lucky I guess but she came out without a cough.
Hi Ed, yes good idea to have multiple vets that you know and like.
The only thing I give my furry ones regularly is Cosequin DS. Strongly recommended by Dr Clark for joint health for older dogs. I usually get it from Amazon.