Snuggling...

As promised, I told you I would share how Gracie is doing.  Needless to say, it's been a tough road. We returned to the vet last Tuesday for more blood work and an urinalysis. The blood panel now shows that Gracie is anemic, but all other factors were well within the "normal" range. The urine sample was sent to the mainland for more extensive tests and the results came back on friday-- and you guessed it----all "normal" ugh. I know my dog and I know something is off, we just can't seem to pinpoint the issue. The vet sent me home with instructions of giving Gracie cooked beef liver!!

Gracie went to work with me last Wednesday and did well, she enjoyed greeting the passengers. We got home and she was given her dinner and bam...the lethargic dog was back, listless and I could tell she was uncomfortable. I was up most of the night with her, neither one of us got much rest.  I went to work the next day and she stayed home for rest. There were no real changes thru the day and I had a feeling that maybe it's her GUT!!  Friday morning I was able to retrieve a fecal sample and dropped it by the vet. An hour or so later I got a call.....all things are "normal"  "Really?" I exclaimed. I have a very sick dog that tests NORMAL---that's just crazy!!   I was just sure that she had a intestinal parasite or bacteria.  The vet decided to put Gracie on a series of panacur ---just in case it is a parasite, which is still possible as some parasites are not always visible, ie; giardia , just depending on which stage of development they are in when we test.
We are on day 4 of the parasite medication and  Gracie is doing better. Her eyes are bright, she's talking again and is dragging me down the street for her potty walks. She is still rather thin, weak and prefers boiled chicken rather than her dry kibble--but at least she is eating again.

We are taking life one day at a time, knowing that we still really don't know what's causing the problem, but are hopeful that we've finally nipped this bug.   Thanks for all the well wishes and concerns.

On a side note: We brought Schatzie home on Friday, and we placed some of her ashes near the mango tree that she loved to sleep under. Gracie checks it out every time she goes out in the yard. Funny how she knows that her sissy is back home.

Val