Pimmy

Friday, August 23, 2024

In another couple of months, which will probably be blistering with rhetoric, Americans will elect a new President. Like many, I am fascinated by this round’s process and eager for its ending. Not only do we have a fresh candidate for our major leadership role, but the Feds have announced that ahead will come reduced long-time and sky-high interest rates. Whew!

Here at the Ranch, my donkey Pimmy is a serious topic. She has been diagnosed with a metabolic condition labeled Cushing’s Disease. A couple weeks ago, I separated Pimmy from her horse buddies to feed her prescribed food and provide routine medications. Over several of the past days, she has appeared depressed by standing listlessly in a dim corner of the barn and not eating.

I assumed her not wishing to eat was related to her meds, so I didn’t call the vet. However, a month had passed since her initial examination and blood draw. Neither the clinic nor the veterinarian had contacted me about Pimmy’s bloodwork and follow-on care routines. I contacted the clinic and learned that my case had been overlooked. Essentially, contacts from Pimmy’s vet were overdue.

Mutual accusations: The clinic had dropped the ball; neither I nor the vet had initiated a call.

That veterinarian, a capable clinician, became distressed to learn that Pimmy wasn’t eating normally, potentially creating serious liver problems in the donkey. I’ll leave out my expressions of anger and frustration.

I was directed to stop the medications. I was to offer grain, hoping Pimmy would eat. I then was to release her to be among the horses, hoping she would eat with them, regardless of their hay not being appropriate for Pimmy’s metabolic condition.

Pimmy did eat some of the grain before rejoining the horses. She approached Rosie’s hay and ate bits of it slowly but steadily. A relief to see.

I will try to get a veterinarian here today to check on her. I have mixed feelings about continuing with the clinic we were using. It’s overlooking Pimmy’s case, creates distrust, and feels unforgivable.

Dear Friends: The mismanagement! By that clinic, its veterinarian, and by me. Diana