Monday, July 27, 2009

Poppy update

Talked to the vet today and am very frustrated. I don't think she knows what the heck she's talking about. She said her joints showed some inflammation. No, really?! Poppy is still running a fever, still hobbling around, still in a great deal of pain and she wants to give it a couple of more days. Some more time on anti-biotics which are doing *nothing*. Writing this is making me heated, so I'm going to wrap it up now. I'll be talking to her again tomorrow and pushing for a better answer. She still did not have a firm diagnosis for me and MRI is still likely.

Thanks for all the support, peoples. I am deeply touched by how many people have been coming forward in so many ways to help both my pup and me.

10 comments:

  1. Hiya, just been reading about your pup and her symptoms sound very similar to my dogs problems when he was young (he's now 5) He had panosteitis (check it on wiki) which was hard to diagnose: we had to go to 3 different vets and it cost us loads, and we eventually went to the local large vet centre who employed newly qualified vets (who all specialised in different things). Anyway, that's what they diagnosed...he was lame in different legs on different days, he was running a fever and didn't want to eat, etc. It usually affects large breeds and especially in their long limbs - hence the lameness. The good news is that if it is panosteitis (get your vet to check this) the treatment is limiting their exercise to reduce the strain on their limbs, soluble asprin to reduce the temperature, allowing them to eat and they eventually grow out of it. My dog hasn't had it for a few years now! It may not be this of course, but I just thought I'd tell you, since your vet clearly has no idea what it is. How old is Poppy? It hit Joe when he was a juvenile about 6 months old, but it can start anything up to 14 months old and without warning. Hope this helps you?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much, Samsara. Poppy is 12 years old. It sounds like the same symptoms, but Poppy was on strict rest from April until now due to the heartworm treatment. But I will mention it to my vet. Also, as soon as she gets her MRI I am whisking her off to a holistic vet. I need someone with new eyes and a different perspective to look at her.

    Thank you for your help. :)

    ~Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hope you are able to raise enough to cover all of Poppy's procedures. Hang in there!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am very sorry that this is happening to your pup. I can only imagine how hard it must be, as I am incredibly attached to my dogs as well. I am off to your shop to buy some tickets and some fiber. I really hope your pup gets better. My thoughts are with you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sending you and Poppy some hugs! My 12-year-old dog Mowgli had to go under for a procedure today and I was a nervous wreck. It's so hard to watch our beloved animals growing older.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have a 14 year old Yorkie that did the same thing 2 years ago. She was and still is skin and bones but healthy now in every other way. I spent $1100 in vet bills for tests. It turned out she had Lyme's disease. It has been a roller coaster of emotions with each flare up. Good luck with your fund raiser. I was happy to be able to help.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you, Kim. We're getting there. The latest test, the MRI, will be $1600 as opposed to the $1000 I had thought. But the vet agrees that she needs it sooner than later so they were kind enough to let me put some $$ down and will give them a post-dated check that they will cash next week. People have been very supportive in so many ways.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, Selena. I know, it's awful, and nervous wreck is the perfect word. I've been having crying fits for the last 3 weeks now. The weird thing about Poppy is that she has always been the eternal pup. Always full of energy, always peppy, always ready to play frisbee, so people who know her just can't believe this is the same dog. :(

    Araignee, I suspected a tick born disease too and at this point wish it was just so I would know, but they did a tick panel and no, no tick. :( Your poor baby Yorkie. She hasn't regained the weight? Glad to hear that she is healthy again. Thank you so much for the well wishes and the support. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. My vet is the VCA Allpets in South Boulder if you also want to give them a call. I put the natural vet on the Flickr image, hope you got that.

    Anyway, I do recommend my vet too if you want a second opinion or just aren't trusting your vet. Tell them I (call me Truman's mom, they'll know from that) sent you ...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you, Kristi! I will look into your suggestions for sure. The Natural Food Pet store over by Whole Foods also suggested Dr. Silver, so I'll do a little research on him as well. I can't wait to have this MRI done mainly so that I can take the information to a holistic vet and get her some gentle treatment that will strengthen her system and address the underlying cause. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!! xo

    ReplyDelete