Call from the Vet

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Hello everyone. The saga continues with Carli today. She is now about 24 hour out from the start of the meds and IV fluids to rid her body of the toxic drug. The doctor is cautiously optimistic, but that is good. Today Carli appears able to manage her front legs better. She still struggles with her back legs and that makes her go pee in her cage.

As the vet said, "she is a very special loving dog"...Carli does NOT LIKE to have made a mess...so, she tries to clean it up herself. They are watching to keep her from doing that part. Good that she is eating like a trouper and peeing with no diarrhea right now. That is all FANTASTIC news!

We watch and wait with God's hand holding her gently. Only He can make her better, so we pray and wait on his grace. Thanks to each of you for your prayers and love...it makes this tolerable. I am just thankful that she is doing better so far. The research that I have read said it could day a few days to resolve - up to weeks. So, I ask for continued prayers.

Love to each of you for being such a wonderful group of family and friends. Hugs...

Update on Carli

Well, we have some news on Carli thus far. Yesterday her tests pointed to her having Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This means that she will be on a steroid-like drug and have a special diet. To some degree, that is the easy part.

Now for the harder part. The seizure and subsequent neurological issues (walking, balance, eye flittering, etc) are probably due to a toxicity to the drug that she was on for the diarrhea. There are rare side effects and she appears to have them. At this point, she is on IV and they are waiting and watching for her issues to resolve as the drug gets metabolized in her system.

We are praying and thinking positive thoughts about her. Thanks for your kind thoughts and many prayers - keep them coming and I will keep the updates coming. The vet should call me around lunch-time today for another update. I have all my fingers and toes crossed as well.

Very Worried

Monday, April 7, 2008

Hello to all. Last night was terrible. Carli, my sweetest yellow Lab woke us up while stumbling in the hallway. She was unable to move her left side front and back legs with any skill. Carli could not move down or up the stairs and then began having urinary control issues. We were very concerned that she was having a stroke.

I called the 24 hour emergency vet hospital connected with my regular vet and we took her in at 4am. She then proceeded to have a major seizure in the vet hospital. They gave her anti-seizure meds and she calmed down some. Carli has been having bouts of diarrhea, so have been working on that front. The doctors have run blood work, taken x-rays and are currently doing an ultrasound on her gut. We are trying to figure out some of her blood work right now. She is stable but cannot also seem to manage the walking part - at least not well.

We have been told that it might be Inflammatory Bowel Disease - the would need meds and some special diet. The seizure and her current motor control issues remain a bit of a mystery. So, please again I ask for prayers. For Carli, for Carrie and for me. We are ALL very worried and it is terribly difficult to see your sweetheart baby dog suffer like this. I will keep you posted on her recovery and our decisions about her health. Love you all!