Tuesday 13th October 2026

A stressful morning taking Ellie to the vets. Of course she had to be walked first but the Gabapentin makes her so wobbly on her legs. No food either which she wasn’t happy about.  As soon as we saw the nurse we told her about the Gabapentin and she wrote it on Ellie’s notes. She explained everything they would do, which Meg had already explained but the drug had made Ellie just lie on the floor so Mal had to help her in.

Of course Mal and I were stressed because she is fourteen and a half and had to go under anaesthetic but they assured us her heart and lungs were good.

So we left her there and went off to Deal to have breakfast, to keep us occupied! I was in one of the shops when my phone rang. I presumed it was the vet. No, it wasn’t! It was my doctor who was supposed to call me next Friday. She told me she has all the results back and yes I have haemochromatosis . She must have persuaded them to do the proper tests (it’s an expensive test, she told me before!) She then went on to say she has put it through as urgent to the hospital, so I should hear within the next two weeks. Well at least she was good enough to keep chasing it up for me and called me as promised.

Then about 2pm Clare, the vet called saying she was amazed how Ellie was coping with all of this. Teeth have been cleaned and X rayed and also she had an infection and an ulcer and I think a broken tooth.  She wants to see her again in a week to see the progress after antibiotics and then will advise about any teeth need removing. But she agreed no more Gabapentin, Paracetomol instead.

At 3pm Meg (her nurse) phoned to say Ellie was up and about and to collect her at 4pm. Meg told us all about the drugs she is having and to stop the gabapentin and instead use Paracetomol. She also has antibiotics.

We collected her at 4pm, still very sleepy.