It is too cold

You would think that this was Minnesota ! We live in Michigan, in part, because the lakes that surround us keep it from getting too cold or too hot.
Actually, the thermometer is wrong, it was -6 degree F (-24 C) outside when I took this picture at 8 am this morning. (The thermometer is in a "outside shelter" we have for the dogs so they don't have to go outside outside when the weather is too horrible.) Of course, the dog's response is:


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Happy Birthday to Erlina

Erlina on her first birthday.

Despite numerous medical problems, the little girl made it to one year. She has celebrated with several peanut butter and dog cookie snacks and is enjoying herself a lot. While her stamina is not quite what it used to be, it is improving daily.

Erlina and Finian

Picking a buddy for her to exercise with is a difficult task. There are several criteria:

• The other dog(s) must not be afraid of this rambunctious puppy (that excludes all the girls).
• The other dog must be gentle enough that we can feel secure that Erlina, who is still a bit fragile, won't be hurt by the play.
• The other dog must be agile enough and aware enough of her to get out of her way when she is about to crash into the other dog.
• The other dog must want to play with her and not just leave her in the dust (snow ?) as he runs off.
  

The only dog that fits these criteria is the biggest dog, Finian, at 185#. He likes to play with her, enjoys being with her, and is a marvel at not letting her run into him and does not run her over when she runs right in front of him (no one said that she has any sense - the brain fairy has not arrived yet).

Finian and Erlina taking off for a romp.

If you want to comment, please send an email to:william {at} HoundsOfHeaven.com,or go to our website: www.HoundsOfHeaven.com

Erlina - 4 months later.

No pictures this time, for reasons that will become obvious. The exact times of the events reported here will be a bit fuzzy... the times seem to run together in a crisis and it has been a crisis for the past 4 months.

About 4 months ago we notices symptoms consistent with a bladder infection in Erlina. Otherwise she was doing well. The vet took sent a sample for a unrinalysis and culture and sensitivity. The bug was resistant to most antibiotics, but sensitive to a sulfa derivative so we started her on that. After 2 weeks she was better and we stopped the antibiotic. A week later she was symptomatic again so the vet started her on the antibiotic again. Her symptoms resolved but at the same time she began getting lethargic and pale. The next day she was more pale and her heart rate was going up so, after consultation with the vet it was off to the Emergency Vet Clinic at Michigan State University.

When we arrived at the vet clinic, her packed cell volume (basically a measure of how many red blood cells there are) was 11%, with the normal for a canine being about 50%. It took several days in the ICU for it to become clear, but she had a reaction to the antibiotic that destroyed 80% of her red blood cells. Luckily, MSU has a blood transfusion program so 4 days and 4 transfusions later she was up to 20% (which, while not good, is not dangerous. 11% is very dangerous) and was starting to make her own red blood cells. No more sulfa drugs for her or any Hound of Heaven as it may be hereditary.

Ok, another crisis passed, time to relax: NOT.

Just as she was getting back on her feet, literally, she began complaining loudly of pain. It was, of course, Friday night. Off to the Vet Emergency Clinic again. Although her pain was obvious to anyone within a 4 block radius the vets could not localize it and we had a working diagnosis of panostititis was made. She continued getting worse and a return visit to the vet who had treated her liver shunt, Mathew Beal, on Monday resulted in some X-rays and a diagnosis of infection of one of her vertebrae. That afternoon, using a CAT scanner, he was able to get a sample of the infection and it was submitted for culture, along with samples of blood and urine. She was one sick puppy ! He started her on two antibiotics and we waited for the culture results. She spent 2 days in the ICU this time and went home on the two antibiotics. She got much better in the next 3 days.

The initial culture results said that the bug was sensitive to Keflex, nice because it is much less expensive than the other antibiotics, so we switched her - and she went down the toilet again. The final culture results said there were two bacteria, only one of which was sensitive to Keflex, so back to the expensive antibiotic.

She has been on Baytril for a week now and is doing much better. As of today she was able to eat her meals at her feeding stand, while standing. Before this she would eat her meals lying down, being hand fed.

Our thanks and appreciation go to Mathew Beal, DVM, and L. Ari Jutkowitz, VMD, of the Michigan State Veterinary Teaching Hospital, for their interest and competence and dedication in taking care of this poor little puppy.

It must be noted that during all of this someone had to stay with her all night, so sleep was at a premium, if infrequent. "Survival" was the keyword and all luxuries, such as this blog, went by the wayside.

Except for Zephan, all the rest of the puppies are doing well, including Liam who is now 9 years, 11 months old. He needs a bit of help getting up and sometimes some help walking but continues to enjoy life.

Zephan was diagnoses with lymphoma 6 weeks ago, but is responding quite well to treatment.

If you want to comment, please send an email to:william {at} HoundsOfHeaven.com,or go to our website: www.HoundsOfHeaven.com