Thought I'd give a bit of an update on Al. New Year's he was frightened and urinated bits everywhere poor bugger. I calmed him best I could and he pulled through.
But - just after Guy Fawkes night I noticed he'd broken one of his teeth - presumably from fear of fireworks (he can get a little destructive when he's terrified). Anyway, the vet had a look the best she could (he's not keen on people poking round his mouth) and said he would need a general anesthetic and a dental inspection. So, I took him in for this and later phoned the vets to get an update.
"Well, he's come through the op no problem but he's still under so you could ring in an hour or so and we'll see how he is and if you can take him home."
Right - great.
20mins later the phone rings: "Hello Mr ---- we were wondering if you could come and pick Al up now?"
I said "Erm, right ok what's happened?"
She said they'll explain when I come.
So off I toddled to the vets and I got took into a room.
"Al's had 7 teeth removed. One was a big rotten one with a hole in it that would have been giving him considerable pain, and the other 6 were damaged as if he has been chewing rocks or biting metal."
Apart from being shocked I said he's never done anything like that since we've had him (he's a rescue dog).
Anyway - poor Al had come round from the anesthetic early before they'd had chance to clean his muzzle and remove the IV lines from his front legs. He'd panicked, jumped off the table, and then proceeded to have explosive diarrhea all over the room and of course all over his own back end. Then wouldn't let anyone near him to try and clean him up.
I was shocked at first - but then they went and got him and the second he saw me he was happy - bouncing around, jumping up, and swishing his tail (and spreading poop over the vet walls). I got him home and had to clean him outside in the rain with a bucket and a car sponge.
Anyway - since then he has been a lot happier dog. I suppose you would be a grumpy so and so if you had constant toothache. His eyes and his face have relaxed and he wears a much more calmer expression. He's still scared of bangs but he is a much more content dog after having those teeth out.
Some folks may have been embarrassed but I was proud as any dad when I picked him up from the vets and spent all night looking after him being woozy.