Only 3.
She had a womb infection called pyrometra which usually only affects older bitches, 6 or older, if they haven't pupped. It's not usual in younger bitches but not unknown either.
It's easily fixed by spaying but - a bit like appendicitis - you have to get treatment quickly or infection will set in and that can go shitwards very quickly.
We got her right on the cusp of that.
She was great one friday evening, not herself on Saturday evening and on sunday we were rushing her to an overnight vets in Belfast.
Two overnights in different vets, one in East Belfast and the other in Hillsborough about 40 miles away, an operation at our own vets in Ards, a scan, drugs etc and all my savings have gone down the shitter.
But i woudnt have it any other way,
As I said to my daughter, when we start worrying about the cost and stop worrying about the dog, then thats a good sign.
Of course the insurance company is being a fucking dick about it all and we had to fork out up front and try to claim it back (the two overnights at different vets who are on different insurance company lists is the main sticking point - but they were the only two in the Greater Belfast area that are overnighters and the first and much nearer one was full on the second night, we were hoping she wouldnt need a second night but she did indeed get an infection so needed an antibiotic drip) but no luck yet. I've pretty much written it off anyway, so no loss. In my head anyway.
But my daughters boyfriend has been chasing it for me and said only this week that it looks like we might get a bit of satisfaction.
Rest assured both the smelly buggers are now insured on a policy thats pretty damn comprehensive and inclusive with another company that are not utter shyster cunts.
Four hundred quid for an overnight stay and a ton up front before that on the first night too just to get in the door.