Dog Community

Billy - a bit of a positive update I hope

Posted : 7/12/2006 9:55:36 PM

Sorry folks -- my email program totally crashed last night and I had to get a whole new thing set up so I never really got on last night.

Just wanted to post a bit of good news about Billy -- his hematacrit after we left Gainesville last week Thursday (he was transfused on Wednesday) was 30. by Saturday that had fallen to 25 (which again they were thinking his blood was so low iron that it wasn't producing itself). Dr. Bailey took extra blood to send it in to get the iron evaluated as of Saturday.

I've been a bit worried -- it seemed like Billy was a bit weak -- nothing to truly put your finger on, but a couple of signs he wasn't feeling 'terrific' but then this morning he really seemed to feel pretty good and his gums were nice and pink. I knew we were going to the acupuncture vet tonight and we'd get his blood pulled. If it was low we'd have to go to Gainesville tomorrow. If it was "sufficient' then hopefully it will hold til Sunday.

Got the results of the Saturday test back and his iron is fine (or was on Saturday).

BUT the good news of the day is … his hematacrit is up to 39. This like like a little miracle -- it hasn't been that high in WEEKS.

I have a feeling what's happened is that because I've been shoving extra iron at him (beef heart, organic liver, some spinach) in addition to the canned food the UF wants him on and the Pet Tabs they're giving to help supplement the iron, and suddenly his body found that iron and chomped it up allowing a bunch of red blood cells to emerge. I doubt he holds at that but it sure was good to see it for tonight!!

So day by day -- but this was a nice bit of good news for tonight.

The funny part was while he had his needles in, he was in "MEGA NOSE-sniffing mode and he discovered the Sharps container where they put the used needles.

Now he couldn't have gotten any out of there, but he stood in front of it almost hyperventilating on those zillion needles. I could almost see his brain scream "WHATTA CROWD --- WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUNCHA DOGS!!!!! CATS ….. WOW …. a ferret or two!!! Ohhh boy .. I know that one … there's Perrier … there … no .. dunno that one …. WOW … that's that cat I saw last week …."

Oh, I so wish I truly knew what he was thinking -- but it cracked ME up.

cakana

Posted : 7/12/2006 10:02:12 PM

Woohoo that is great news. Can't you just keep feeding him the mega iron foods forever and he'll be fine. Sorry if that sounds nonsensical, but if it's working, then why stop right?

I knew exactly what you meant about the sharps container (used to be a dental asst) and I never would've thought about all the smells, but when you mentioned it I thought "oh my gosh, my dogs would be in euphoria with the different scents" [sm=biggrin.gif] Good for Billie, he deserved a bit of a good high for a change.

dyan

Posted : 7/12/2006 10:03:08 PM

Yay Billy!!!

smilee1079

Posted : 7/12/2006 10:04:55 PM

Yay! Keep it up Billy! All of us and your mommy love the good news!

jessies_mom

Posted : 7/12/2006 10:08:38 PM

Great news Callie [

]

tacran

Posted : 7/12/2006 11:24:52 PM

[sm=dance.gif]
I'm so happy to read your post Callie. I was worried when we didn't hear from you last night - but I was trying to assume "no news was good news." Of course, I never thought about computer problems, despite dealing with them myself lots of times!

We've had a sad week, with news of two friends having to help their dogs to the Bridge (oddly, almost at the same time - one here in Oregon, the other in Florida - Apopka). It would have been just too much to hear anything other than happy news about Billy.

Yay Billy! Way to make red blood cells! Keep up the good work!

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/12/2006 11:50:10 PM

Cant you keep him on heavy iron indefinatley?

I have very low blood cell count AND my red cells are very small. I am supposed to be taking 60mgs 2x daily...(sorry Callie I cant help it - thats 120mg total[

]). Haha... yes yes I know, I know[

].

I dont do it though. Just too hard to remember and I honestly dont like how it makes me feel. The effects are nothing like Billys Im sure I just am always cold, low energy, can sleep for days...

But anyway... is it bad to keep him on iron?

sandra_slayton

Posted : 7/13/2006 1:22:03 AM

This is really good news about Billy. Hope and pray it continues.

sharismom

Posted : 7/13/2006 8:48:02 AM

[sm=dance.gif]

rredbird

Posted : 7/13/2006 8:52:33 AM

Yeah for Billy and for you! Hope things continue to improve from here on out with no more lows!

Give Billy some soft kisses and hugs from me!

RileysMommy

Posted : 7/13/2006 9:05:30 AM

Great news Callie!! Way to go Billy ... keep on makin' your Mommy smile.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 7/13/2006 10:46:44 AM

[sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif] Yea, Billy! Keep it up.

Joyce

Sandra TH

Posted : 7/13/2006 6:36:17 PM

Phew! I had the feeling he turned the corner. I am soooo glad he's doin' better!

Kara

Posted : 7/13/2006 6:40:12 PM

WOOHOO Billy! This is really great news. You are such a good dog mom and all your care and hard work is really paying off right now! I'm so very happy for you both!

Marcie Gorman

Posted : 7/13/2006 6:56:41 PM

I haven't been on here in a while but this was the first post I checked! That's great news. Give Billy a chin scratch for me.[

]