The Plan

The vet that Leo goes to is quite expensive - even for NYC.  I do understand that many of these procedures are pricey, and of course real estate is costly, as is expertise. That is the part I'm most thankful for - the expertise, and the care that comes with that.  Dr. C, Leo's oncologist, has been nothing but kind and compassionate, as well as being top-notch.  I recently got to spend a little more time with Dr. S, the first doctor that Leo saw, as part of the follow-up on his throat.

The throat issue has, more or less, resolved - or rather, I think it has lessened a bit to the point where it's now just "normal", as opposed to before when it was scary.  The follow up with Dr. K, the surgeon, was find - the ear has healed, the throat had healed (and no more edema) and everything looked good.  However,  they wanted me to follow-up with the internist, and because I will be away in much of December (AGU, then Christmas), I certainly felt that a visit was necessary.
So, I went to the vet to talk to a very nice new vet and realized how ridiculous I must sound - so many of the symptoms are vague and "you know it when you see/hear it" - the exaggerated swallowing, the heavy breathing/snoring, the general "not-right-ness" about things, the head shaking (still, though not nearly as much), the slowdown.  It's little clues that, when added together, might mean something, but separately are inconsequential.  The student vet listened patiently for 20 minutes or so, and then off they went for a real thorough exam.  Half an hour later, Dr. S and the new vet met me in an exam room and we talked - just talked.  Talked through symptoms, through possibilities, through signs to look for, signs i didn't see, signs THEY didn't see, scenarios, etc...  And in the end, we came to a decision to do... well, nothing.  Watch, wait, see what's up.  Keep an eye on him.
I got what I really wanted, I guess - I wanted to know he was going to be OK for the 2 or 3 weeks I wouldn't be around much.  And even better, I got to spend over an hour with 2 vets putting together a plan of what we're going to do - what to watch for, when to follow up, when to come back.  Dr. S seemed genuinely interested in how Leo's doing - he is, after all, sort of a special case for them, and Dr. S was the one who saw him first when it looked like he'd swallowed a tennis ball.  I could tell that they cared - and who knows, maybe, after I left, they did the whole "that guy is nuts, crazy about his dog" - actually, I wouldn't blame them (but doubt it - they are far too professional). But it helped, I feel better, and I can go on my merry way knowing Leo's going to be here when I get back.