Friday, February 03, 2006
Willow Update
Willow - she's my white german shepherd - well, what a special child. *sigh*
Took her to the vet for her usual PCV (packed cell volume) because as I mentioned in the last blog, I thought she was looking pale (a white dog looking pale ... hehehehehe). Her red blood cell count was excellent, 46 or 48 percent. Perfect score! Last year at this time, it was under 10 percent (when I was told she 'should be dead'). However, her protein level had dropped fairly significantly.
So she went in for some more tests.
Oh, Willow, Willow, Willow.
They found a bladder infection ... who knows how long she's had it ... could be months, since she finished her 11 months of steroids. She's on antibiotics for that.
They found a possible overgrowth of bacteria in her intestines ... she's on a drug for that (or she will be, when I pick it up on Monday).
When they did the CBC (complete blood count), they found an ever-so-slight problem with her platelets. Out of an average range of 175-220 ... her platelet count was 5. Yes, 5. She's always had a platelet disorder ... they are large and irregular, which causes her blood not to clot when she gets injured. However, this has appeared to be under control for the past year or two. Guess what appears to be back and worse? Last year at the vet school hospital, we couldnt even convince them that she HAD a bleeding disorder. Maybe they'll believe us now.
And we're still finding things ... all of the tests arent back yet. However, NOTHING has proven why the decrease in protein, the original problem we were testing for.
Despite these problems, and her only being 3 years old, she's very happy and active. I dont know if I can let them do many more tests on her ... she is scared to death of the doctors and the vets offices. She's been thru SO much in her short life, that I may just have to let her be a normal dog ... until she's not. What a bad thought, coming from me. d:(
Took her to the vet for her usual PCV (packed cell volume) because as I mentioned in the last blog, I thought she was looking pale (a white dog looking pale ... hehehehehe). Her red blood cell count was excellent, 46 or 48 percent. Perfect score! Last year at this time, it was under 10 percent (when I was told she 'should be dead'). However, her protein level had dropped fairly significantly.
So she went in for some more tests.
Oh, Willow, Willow, Willow.
They found a bladder infection ... who knows how long she's had it ... could be months, since she finished her 11 months of steroids. She's on antibiotics for that.
They found a possible overgrowth of bacteria in her intestines ... she's on a drug for that (or she will be, when I pick it up on Monday).
When they did the CBC (complete blood count), they found an ever-so-slight problem with her platelets. Out of an average range of 175-220 ... her platelet count was 5. Yes, 5. She's always had a platelet disorder ... they are large and irregular, which causes her blood not to clot when she gets injured. However, this has appeared to be under control for the past year or two. Guess what appears to be back and worse? Last year at the vet school hospital, we couldnt even convince them that she HAD a bleeding disorder. Maybe they'll believe us now.
And we're still finding things ... all of the tests arent back yet. However, NOTHING has proven why the decrease in protein, the original problem we were testing for.
Despite these problems, and her only being 3 years old, she's very happy and active. I dont know if I can let them do many more tests on her ... she is scared to death of the doctors and the vets offices. She's been thru SO much in her short life, that I may just have to let her be a normal dog ... until she's not. What a bad thought, coming from me. d:(
# posted by Elims @ 7:28 AM 
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Oh Willow Bear!! You were doing so well!! Must keep it up, sweetheart! Thoughts with you C. and positive vibes headed your way!
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