[Dailydrool] Rupert turns 7, mouth sore - numbing agent ok??

[kacy green]

Okay, first and foremost, Happy 5th Gotcha Day to our big red,
counter-cruising loverboy, Rupert. We also celebrate today as his 7th
birthday, since they estimated him to be around 2 back when we adopted him.
This boy has completely stolen my heart (and lap). He is utterly devoted to
me and I to him. He bosses sweet Cowboy around, steals the toys and eats
any leftover kibble, but deepdown, I know that Cowboy loves his brother and
is hopefully happy that we brought him home a friend 5 years ago today.

Onto health stuff - this past weekend we noticed that Rupert's left lower
eyelid seemed "saggier" than usual and slightly rolled out. We also
identified a sore/bump on his upper left gum/lipperflap and wondered if it
was related. Yesterday Rupert went to a new vet to have everything checked
out. {We chose a new vet because they are also the Emergency clinic and
have lots of specialists, state-of-the-art equipment, etc. Plus they are
about 25 minutes closer than the vet we have previously been using since
moving to this area 18 months ago} Anyway, not impressed. The vet spent
about 5 minutes with Rupert. Denied that anything was wrong with his eyes,
stating that they look normal for a basset hound and that no pressure check
was necessary as the eyeballs are not enlarged and the eyes are still
white; checked the mouth sore and stated its merely an irritation from a
bad tooth that needs to be pulled; determined that Rupert is 10-15 pounds
overweight - which I completely disagree with!; and then tried to sell us
on an insurance plan and care package despite being told that Rupert has
accident-only insurance coverage and that we weren't interested. He also
tried to swoop Rupert to the back for a nail trim without asking,
consulting, etc. just stating, "well were going to at least take him back
for a nail trim - these are far too long!" ..."Um no thanks, we trim them
at home" (and they really aren't too long for Rupert's standard)

Granted, I was not present - the Dadslave took him - but I trust Dad's
judgement. He too has the Ru's best interest in mind. So while relieved
that the vet said nothing serious was wrong, I just don't feel completely
at ease with his diagnosis. So we have an appt scheduled with the old,
trusty, 30-minutes-away vet for Thursday to again have the mouth (and eye
too) checked out, and possibly to schedule a dental if the vet concurs that
its a tooth causing the issue.

Poor boy though, I can tell his canker sore or whatever it is, is bothering
him. He keeps pawing at his snout. Is there anything safe we can give him
or put on the sore until he sees the vet Thursday morning? Is Oragel or
something like that safe? I know how bad it can hurt to have a sore in your
mouth, so any way to help ease the discomfort, especially today on his
Gotcha/Birthday would be appreciated. On that note though, he's eating
great still and counter cruising like a champ so thats reassuring at least.

Thanks and drool to all,
Kacy with Cowboy and Rupert
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