Latest Update on Pebbles (September 9, 2021)

Sadly, my beautiful Pebbles finally succumbed to her heart disease. She passed away on August 30, 2021. I can’t tell you in words just how devastated we are. We will miss her forever and think of her every single day of the rest of our lives. 😪

My Dogs History With ElPaso Animal Hospital

If you follow my blog, then you know that I have three beautiful Chihuahuas that my husband and I adore! Chico, 16, Pebbles, 12, and Remedy Jane, 3.

You also know that I have been a happy client at ElPaso Animal Hospital for many years. There my dogs have all been lovingly cared for all their lives and where I now work part-time.

Although I love all the doctors there, Dr. Oehmke and Dr. Herod have taken care of them from the very beginning. However, every one of our six veterinarians has cared for one or more of my dogs at one time or another.

Dr. Erica McKinney has taken care of both Pebbles and Chico for various reasons. Either their annual vaccines, dental cleaning or, “ahem“, their anal glands (Pebbles has always had a problem with that but don’t tell her I told you!). Don’t Miss: Let’s Talk About Anal Glands.

Dr. Lynn Mork took excellent care of my Remedy Jane when she was 9 months old. She was attacked by a Mastiff and spent the night at the hospital. See Remedy’s Story.

Dr. Jessica Duke once worked at the Veterinary Emergency Hospital and she was so helpful, and kind, when my grandson accidentally brought down the footrest on the recliner he was sitting in and Pebbles was under it. It was late at night so we went there and followed up the next day at ElPaso. Thankfully she really wasn’t hurt, just bruised and sore for a while.

Dr. Landon McQuilliams has recently taken care of Chico’s dental cleaning. Because Chico is 16, I was concerned about putting him under anesthesia, but, Dr. McQuilliams was so reassuring, and caring.

I am amazed at how caring all the doctors at ElPaso are with all the animals that they take care of. It does not matter what species or breed, they all care very much about their patients.

Background On Pebbles Health

If you have followed my blog, then you also know that Pebbles has a very serious heart issue. To catch you up, she was diagnosed with a heart murmur and an enlarged heart, (See Heart Disease, is Your Chihuahua at Risk) at only 5 years old.

She was put on medication at the time and later other medications were added. There is no cure, however, I put her on a healthier diet and she is really doing very well and is still living a quality life and has been all this time. She continues to be an active, loving little dog and is living a full life in spite of it. Her only symptoms were a cough especially after exertion, as a longer walk than usual or when she and Remedy would play, she would soon tire out and start coughing.

An Update on Pebbles

However, when Dr. Oehmke did an x-ray he discovered that she also now had a mass on her heart. We talked about taking her to Kansas State School of Veterinary Medicine for further examination.

On Thursday, March 28, 2019, I took her back to see Dr. Oehmke for an EKG of her heart. we discussed again taking her to KState however, he no longer felt that going to KState would be helpful and is amazed at how well she is doing. You would never know that she was ill at all.

Now, every time we see Dr. Oehmke, he asks about her and when I tell him how good she is doing, he just shakes his head and says; “She is one tough little dog!”

For more about ElPaso Animal Hospital and staff CLICK HERE

Next Up: Meet Remedy Jane