It cost over $1,000, which I am quite broke and bummed about, but as crazy as it sounds, I really feel like it was money well spent. I just wish it had been easier to diagnose as that is what made the costs run higher. She will go back for a recheck in a week if all goes well. We'll run a PCV count and go from there. We will try to spay here once she is healthier. She will never be able to get the DHLPP vaccine again. Only killed rabies and intra-nasal Bordetella.

I'm so glad to have her home and am going to go snuggle with her. Just wanted to give you all an update.

Megan

P.S. Precious wants me to sent you cyber licks and nuzzles for all your prayers and thoughts.

Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic
PO Box 23
Loomis, CA 95650

The clinic's phone number is (916) 652-5816. Please write on your check or include a note stating that the funds should be applied toward the account of, "Megan Alexander #16106."

Megan and Precious appreciate your generousity!

Monday June 12, 2000 - 9:02 PM

Well, Precious is feeling much better. Tennis Ball She actually thinks that my Oriental rugs don't need fringe on them and is busy trying to pull all of it off! She is also playing with many toys. She is progressing nicely and will still need to stay on meds for about 5 more months, but at least we know what we are dealing with.

My biggest challenge is the housebreaking issue. She's a nervous water drinker and, therefore, I have to really keep on top of her going outside. I can not make any noises or stop her while she is caught as she will misinterpret this to mean she cannot let me see her eliminate. So much fun. She also walked on the grass without provocation today. She obviously spent all her time on hard packed dirt and concrete. Well, now she's learning that grass can be fun. The texture used to scare her. She's so tiny that I can't help but lift her up and carry her around every now and then. I never get in a dog that I can carry. She's only 34 lbs.

Megan

Wednesday June 14, 2000 - 12:03 PM

Precious' "scavenging days" are showing. She must clean the floor of every piece of fluff on it. It is not the best habit. She's also beginning (may not be new) coprophagia (ingesting feces). I am going to make sure that there is no obvious organic reason. I am assuming that it's a combination. I have suspected over the last week that her absorption is not what it should be and was going to check it out at the Vet appointment any ways. Now this adds to my suspicions of low TLI (trypsin-like immunoreactivity) or other deficiency.

She also is showing less of a tolerance for play. She may just not feel good. Or she may feel good enough to let Blossom know when she's had enough. We'll see. She's definitely "rough around the edges." Every one that sees her just loves her though. I think it's the pitiful look in her eyes. They say so much. She doesn't shake anymore when I have visitors over to socialize her. She does tend to lean on me though. She loves to go "night, night." She runs upstairs and curls up in her crate and waits for me to come close the door. She still has to go outside once during the night, but holds it the rest of the night. She also still has the "Yoda ear" (left ear up, right ear out) when nervous. I joke to guests that it is my fearometer for her.

Precious and Angelo

Anyways, I think that is the only new news on this Precious Girl for today. I'll let you know when there is more.

Megan

Note: Angelo is another hard luck case adopted by Megan. He came to her covered with severe bite wounds. Some were infected and he needed drains to take care of it a few weeks ago. He is doing much better already and on his way to recovery.

Tuesday June 20, 2000 - 12:15 AM

Well, the Vet visit confirmed my fears. Precious is having a bad reaction to the Prednisone. Her liver is enlarged, rapid respirations and heart rate, PCV is 30 again, etc...I am also concerned with her weight loss and stool volume. It could just be the Prednisone reaction, but I am concerned that it could be a Pancreatic Insufficiency, so we are running a TLI and will know in 4 days. Her mood is not as bad as I'd expect. She is grouchy with Blossom from time to time and is ravenous at feeding and cookie time.

Precious only had 2 accidents in the house today. Yahoo! Hopefully if the new med works, we can titer off of the Pred and this will help the potty problem.

Megan

Tuesday July 11, 2000 - 2:01 AM

Precious only ate 1/4 of her morning portion yesterday p.m. and now has a upset stomach. She ate rice and cottage cheese all day. Her spirits are good so I'm hoping it's just a little bug. I won't give her Pred tonight as this could be the cause. So back to the Vet for a recheck tomorrow. She has been very playful lately and does a hilarious dance for her food bowl. The dance is done with such exuberance that she sometimes slams into the wall!

Wiggle 1  |  Wiggle 2

Megan