Sick Doggie

meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///forum/thread/384593/sick-doggie/140#post_3371618
http://www.veterinarians.com/city/Paris_TX.html
You can also try calling groomers/pet stores in the area to get recommendations as to who they use. When you call for the second opinion, first let them know that the phone call will be lengthy. Then, let them know Pixie's story from the very beginning. Ask them if they agree with the course of treatment? What do they recommend for Pixie? Then, go from there.
LOl...Thanks I have a Paris yellowbook.....Any groomer from around here will send you to the vet I have been visiting....I can call any vet and ask these questions.....I will do that in the morning since I have to sit here and wait for the seahorses anyway....
I think I will wait for todays bloodwork to come back first though
Renee...The labs also rule out a few things.....don't they? They also did a heartworm/ehrlichia/lyme test ....wasn't on the page I scanned...that was negative too
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Sorry, Chemistry Panel or Electrolytes panel. It shows the electrolytes in our blood, potassium, calcium, stuff like that. It's a great indicator of dehydration.
I'm sorry you don't have better resources. :-(
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cranberry http:///forum/thread/384593/sick-doggie/160#post_3371626
Sorry, Chemistry Panel or Electrolytes panel. It shows the electrolytes in our blood, potassium, calcium, stuff like that. It's a great indicator of dehydration.
I'm sorry you don't have better resources. :-(
Thank you for explaining, I will ask them first thing in the morning when I call....
YUP...one drawback of being in a very rural area is lack of services.......
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
My vet was highly HIGHLY recommended as well. They did me dirty ethically and they missed something that I picked up on.
If yours are the only game in town, who else would people highly recommend? Texas?
There's something fishy with the IV because of the bull they are feeding you.

  • Didn't want to start it in the first place because it would dilute the meds? That's simply poppycock.

  • Gave you a plan of care that involved a value (a super low value) that would precipitate an intervention. When that number came, they STILL put the blood off to do YET another CBC the next day and no good reason in sight.
    "We're going to give blood... soon". If you're going to do it, do it. What's the wait?
    Can't get the IV because the dog is already dehydrated and will wait until the next day? For what? What will possible rehydrate in less than 24 hours without a change in the plan of care. They're waiting for Aunt Martha to come back from vacation, as she's the only one that doesn't suck at starting IVs. o_O
Do me a favour. Ask if she got an IV, how would that impact how many times someone comes in to check on her after hours.
It just makes me nervous the way they are ignoring basic life functions, and that's why I feel I can speak to this a bit.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
The last thing they want to do is the transfusion because it is stressful....everything I read on the internet said the same thing...and it is a last ditch effort
I'll ask about the I.V. tomorrow and about the "lytes" I am hoping the blood count is up so I can bring her home for the weekend.....I can bring her back Monday for further tests if needed
 
al mc

al mc

Active Member
I live in an area where there are several large (mine is average at 5 vets) veterinary practices and we have two 24/7 care speciality hospitals within 20 minutes and Univ. of pennsylvania vet school 1 hour away. Second opinions are common as are referals to specialists. Before starting this practice (I won't give my age away by telling you how long ago that was) I practiced in a small town located in an area where there were only two vet hospitals and no referal centers within a two hour drive. I help my patients and learn something myself many times now when I refer things to specialists. It is nice to have this luxury.
Appears that 'Meowzer' does not have that luxury. She is likely to obtain similar care at practice 'A' and practice 'B' in her area since no one is 24/7. They appear to have the right diagnosis and have her on appropraite medication. I would have put an IV catheter into her on admittance to our animal hospital. Pretty standard procedure for us. I would do it just in case I needed to give an acutely needed drug, decided to give blood or felt it important to give IV fluids. At this point if she is eating and drinling, without vomiting and urinating she is 'probably' sufficiently hydrated. Her 'lytes' may be off and could be checked but I can't fault someone for not doing it if their clinical opinion is that she is stabilizing.
Meowzer has indicated that fees are low. They are probably used to trying to practice a lower cost brand of medicine that relies more on their clinical acumen than monitoring tests.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Boy, that WBC count is awfully high for a patient who has no overt infection indicated. I realize that the red marrow centers might be kicking into overdrive (also indicated by the polychromasia and anisocytosis....) but doesn't this still seem more elevated than would be expected?
...Obviously not a vet, just a curious and well-wishing passer-by....... I really hope she's feeling better tomorrow!!!
 
al mc

al mc

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///forum/thread/384593/sick-doggie/160#post_3371662
Boy, that WBC count is awfully high for a patient who has no overt infection indicated. I realize that the red marrow centers might be kicking into overdrive (also indicated by the polychromasia and anisocytosis....) but doesn't this still seem more elevated than would be expected?
...Obviously not a vet, just a curious and well-wishing passer-by....... I really hope she's feeling better tomorrow!!!
Actually she did have a fever initially. Presumptive diagnosis is Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia secondary to bacterial infection (origin unknown).
Good night all. Good luck Meowzer. Hope all continues to go in positive direction.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
OK, so there WAS a probable initial infection.
Meowzer, I'm so sorry you're going thru this..... wife and I will send a couple prayers your way. Let us know how she's doing tomorrow, mkay? I'm glad she's drinking at least a little!!
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
I stand by my,"if there is no IV then there is no reason for her to be there." statement. Then again, that is also based on my local vets charging an arm and a leg for an overnight stay. I think it cost us $400 for the one night that Lady had to stay.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK UPDATE:
Blood work that came back today is BETTER....the HCT is 12.9 (was 12.6) NOT a large increase..BUT AN INCREASE
The WBC is 24 (last was 31.9)
SOOOO...I am torn on what to do.....Yesterday when I was there she got a little "excited" and that is the last thing we want..when she gets excited (or stresed) she starts to get "breathy"..The dr is thinking since this is our first signs of stabilization that it may be best to leave her.....she is very worried that "extra" activities or stress...(or anything) could be harmful to her.....I do have 2 cats and a dog.....the cats won't care about her but Rosie (the pug) will......YES, I can seperate them, BUT I also know Rosie is an uncontrollable excitable dog.....since Pixie has been in the hospital I have allowed Rosie to come in the fishroom (usually the dogs don't) SOOOO for me to bring Pixie in here, and block Rosie out I think will cause Rosie to scratch and whine at the gate....and IMO that will upset Pixie
I just don;t know what to do.....It would devastate me if I brought her home and she went backwards after this small but wonderful improvement
Since I have to wait for deliveries today, I can not go to see her till later.....so I have all day to think about this...I'm not worried about the weekend fees, I have paid them $150 so far and I owe them about $400 more, so 2 nights at $30 a night is not gonna make or break me....BUT can be bad for her (hubby says leave her)
SIGHHHHHHHHHHH
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I agree with your hubby....You know you are stressed and worried as well, dogs pick up on that too. Your home just doesn't sound like a stress free zone...locked in one area, away from a playmate, potty pads (Al Mc said would upset a house trained dog), and your stressed and worried about her. IMO it would be better to have empty arms for a few days while she stays at the vets, than take a chance on empty arms forever.
Sorry...I know that's not what you want to hear...you want to cuddle and have her home so bad. You are such a good furbaby mom!
 
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