Billy's "adventuring" again *sigh*

Thom said that they help with heat tolerance?

I dunno, I'm just learning about all of this stuff.... It's insane amounts of information, but the immersion method works I stand in the middle of it, all day, and have to tell people what they need, and why. It's fascinating.

I'll have to get that book.

Callie, I have been thinking about you and Billy all day. Please give us an update.
Give that little guy a big wet one on the nosey posey for me

The hematacrit fell to 26, BUT that's over 2 1/2 days and they kinda expected that.  The immune system is slowly getting with the program (it doesn't just 'stop' doing the blood killing thing, it slows down til it gets the true idea once "enough" steroid gets into the system).  AND the big deal is that the body is manufacturing red blood cells and they are coming in almost fast enough to replace what is still being lost.  So it's a balance. 
 
David and I have been thrilled this weekend because he's been so bright and cheerful .. last night we weren't sure if he was feeling a bit puny OR was he simply a bit fearful of "Monday".
 
The past two weeks on Monday I've rushed him to Gainesville (the fact that this last transfusion has held SO well for a whole WEEK is a big huge happy deal frankly).  So I was getting mixed signals all last night and this morning -- he was willingly getting up on the waterbed (when he's anemic he gets dizzy and won't get on the waterbed), BUT he was a bit "clingy". 
 
I think he did think he'd have to go to Gainesville this morning -- the other two went in their crate and he went to the door (not overly excited ... just expectant).  He was really happy I got home early -- and his 'color' is good so altho I took him to get the hematacrit pulled I still feel like this is some small victory at least.  Gotta watch it like a hawk tho -- but to a degree I feel like I've picked out some of the behaviors that he uses to 'cope' when not feeling well and they seem to be a better yardstick than anything else.
 
(Leave it to ME to 'worry' if the dog doesn't want to jump up on the waterbed for his nightly snuggle! sheesh)
 
Thanks for asking Lena. 

I think he did think he'd have to go to Gainesville this morning -- the other two went in their crate and he went to the door (not overly excited ... just expectant).

Wow. Just wow.

That's one smart dog you've got there, Callie!

Sounds encouraging Callie!!!!!

Yes, encouraging for sure!  What a bright little guy to know it's Monday and he may have to travel.  And he didn't even hide under the bed or anything!  I'm glad it's a holiday tomorrow.  I'm assuming you don't have to work so you can have another day to watch him closely.  I agree that there are little signs only an observant caretaker would see -- and those signs are VERY informative.  My sign for him is a high five and a kiss on the nose!  Here's to another good day tomorrow (with the exception of the noisy fireworks - yuck!). 

Billy's totally unphased by the fireworks -- Luna was totally "Oh isn't THIS stupid!!" (she was actually in high dudgeon for a while LOL)  - it was poor Kee who suffered and Billy did the alpha thing and tried to help calm her down (that was an act of sheer "responsibility" -- he's not the caretaker type really for most dogs).
 
He wasn't afraid of going up -- he's got too many friends up there.  But I think he's progressed with this to a precarious mental position and I'll have to watch it. 
 
He was AFRAID of getting sick again last night -- I'm pretty convinced of it  ... he remembers the last two weeks and how BAD he felt Monday when Mom was getting ready to go to work and then switched gears and zoomed him to Gainesville -- he knew he felt a BIT weaker ... and the one thing I didn't say was yesterday afternoon he voided darned near on my foot in the middle of the living room. 
 
PRED -- danged stuff.  It can make control "iffy" in small doses but he was devastated that he LOST control like that -- and I think it kinda mentally wigged him out and made him feel a bit more 'fragile' than he truly was.  But I think that's why he was giving mixed messages -- I could be wrong but as I've thot about it I think more and more that's what happened.  So I've tried to encourage him that he IS getting better.  (Please Heaven let me not be lying to him!)

Callie, you are doing 100% correct by encouraging him, making him think you believe he is going to get better (if you belive it yourself or not, you have to make him believe you believe it, and I do think you do believe it--wow, that is a mouthful)  Even that last day when i knew i was going to lose Hunter, I was as cheerful as could be and when i knew i was going to have a cracking voice (you know, you get that lump in your throat), I wouldn't talk, just brush and hug and kiss him til the lump went away and I could talk normal and cheerful again.
 
I agree with you that the pred he was given before diagnosis really helped him.  And hey, with something this awful,, every little "normal" thing  is so encouraging.  Prayers still coming for Billy, you and your hubby.

Thanks, Billy historically has been less 'wigged out' by his own mind than others I've had (Foxy was the worst at that one *sheesh*).  But long, big illnesses like that have a tendency to bring it out in a dog, so I guess I ought not be surprised.  That's one of the reasons why we always emphasize "this is gonna *help*" -- because ANY dog gets sick of poop that burns or frequent urination (or loss of control like pred can cause) and they KNOW by the smell of their own waste that what goes in is hurting when it comes out.  That sense of smell of theirs tends to break things down into 'cause and effect' real quick.
 
Even *if* he has to get transfused again (and I'm thinking we're headed for it), this last one has lasted MUCH longer.  My understanding is that this is more about building up *enough* of the steroid in the body to convince the immune system to lay off, than the pills immediately 'stopping' it. 

He ate eagerly this morning but didn't want his meds.  So I'm watching him *real* close. 

Gosh, callie and sandra besides Billy and Hunter you have are my heroes. []
 
I hope Billy keeps hanging in there.  I have told Romeo what is going on with him and how he has to send positive doggy thoughts to him, and when we say our prayers in the evening, we keep everyone in mind.
 
I always complain that technology is messing things up, but if it were not for technology, I would not know all the wonderful people who share the ups and downs of dog guardianship, so I think I am going to shut up about it now.
 

Even *if* he has to get transfused again

Callie - I'm relieved to see that Billie's doing pretty good and nothing alarming has changed over the weekend.  Will he need these transfusions indefinitely?  There was an article in Your Dog a newsletter from Tufts University about canine blood donors and it was really interesting.  It said the cost per unit was $200 to $250 - yeow.  Tell me to shut up when I whine about the cost of Sassy's meds okay []?   It truly has been the gift of life for Billie though and hopefully one day soon, he will be free from needing it.  I hope you and your whole crew have an awesome 4th of July!