Hello all,
Thank you all so much for your concern and wonderful advice.
Slowly Muffin is starting to improve. I have an appointment with a Vet tommorrow as an emergency patient, but will continue the search for the perfect vet. One good thing is that her appetite has not been affected, and I am grateful for that. I continue to spend tons of loving time with her stroking and caressing her and talking to her and telling her she is home and she is safe (thanks Ann, no I don't think you sound like a nut and I don't think it sounds dumb at all. In fact, I think you are one of the very wisest and most helpful angels I know). So thank you again. It IS working
Lillymae-Thanks so much for the referral, I will definitely look up Dr. Green and Dr. Cullens. They sound great.
Cares for Dogs-Thanks for your concern. I'll try to answer your question about why I did not say anything at the time. There is a short answer and there is a long answer so i'll try to combine them. The short answer is, believe it or not, i simply didn't notice anything at the time. The long answer will explain this. Firstly, we had just flown in on a 6 hour flight from New Jersey to San Diego. We were exhausted, we had jet lag, our plane flew around in the air for 45 minutes before they would let us land. Then we had to get our baggage, wait for the airport van to take us to our car and then drive up to Murrieta which is about an hour away. We were exhausted but I just had to stop by and get my girls. When I got there, my dad was paying the bill while they brought both girls out to me. They were very excited to see me and were kissing me and jumping around in my arms. I completely trusted my Vet and was not looking for anything to be wrong, and although they were knotted up to the gills, Muffin especially has very thick dark coarse hair, and the knots were underneath the top coat of hair. We were in a hurry to leave and get them and ourselves home. I didn't put them down but just carried them out to the car ASAP, and everything seemed normal to me. She did not cough, or scratch or appear traumatized at the time. If she did, or she looked unduly terrible, I certainly would have said something to them, at the very least. But not until we got home and I started stroking them and running my fingers through their hair, and watching them try to walk when I put them down, and witnessed them coughing and scratching, and while trying to pet Muffins head had her cry out in pain, or watching her not want to play with her toys, or be afraid to walk into rooms, or have a chance to look closer at her eyes and see they were so encrusted, not until we were home and were a little more relaxed and had some rest, were we able to see all these things. And even then, sometimes you question yourself and wonder, "Am I imagining all this? Am I not seeing things right? Is this really accurate? After all, you have to understand I've had this vet for about 15 years, and nothing like this has ever happened before. My other yorkie Merlin never had a problem and they saw him all the time. So yes, you do question yourself and wonder if you are making mountains out of molehills. But when my Dad, who usually never makes a big deal out of anything, and feels that nothing is really any big deal, when even HE see's that something is REALLY wrong with Muffin, then you start to know your perceptions are right. And its such a shock too, after all those years of trusting our Vet, it's difficult to really believe this could actually happen there. So, there you have it. That is why I didn't make a beg deal at the Vets. I just didn't see it. Answers short and long.
Imperez, Ontario is not too far from me, and its close to the other Airport we use. Maybe this person you speak of is a good option. I'd love to know more.
Thank you jrsygal137 for your caring thoughts.
And no, I didn't take pictures, I never thought of it, but I will talk to my present Vet after I get Muffin examined.
Thanks sushidoodidoo, cthalhofer, Yorkie AZ, Wend, Bailie, alli173, and livingdustmops for all your kind words, caring and support. When I am beside mself with worry and anxiety, I count my blessings that you are all there beside me when I'm walking through the darkest storm. Thank you all, I am so fortunate to have you guys. Namaste, :-) Shellie