Could use some good thots...Snickers has IMHA

 Hooray for a little bit less bad! I'm glad that the specialist is holding out more hope for Snickers, and was able to give her some relief.

  Sounds like Snickers is in excellent hands. I'll keep praying for her. Sending oodles of belly rubs for Snickers and <> for you.

We've all been glued to this story. I'm so glad that Oliver has been able to alleviate some of Snickers's issues.

Sending good thoughts. We want her to pull through this so badly.

Sending Snickers lots of get well thoughts....  Hang in there, I'll be hoping for good news.

Heinous disease -- and man, you can **think** you've caught it early and head it off and zoom -- it will dive if it's GONNA dive anyway sometimes.

I spoke with Outdoorschik just after she posted this and was on her way to the funeral (like the woman doesn't have ENOUGH going on??).

Not quite 2 years ago when "little Oliver" was this poor sick deathly ill little puppy she got after Katrina (he had pneumonia by the time this pretend "rescue" got him to NH in this filthy truck with no air ... ugh) and it was SOOO touch and go for a long time with him (and I remember sending her slippery elm for HIM *grin*).

 AND NOW --- ENTER HERO **OLIVER**

*thumbs in suspenders* Have I told ya'all that I'm "AUNT" Callie to Oliver??? *insufferable grin*

(See, it's amazing when you 'adopt' friends animals all over the world -- you get to claim kinship, and you get to be all 'proud' of them, and it doesn't cost ME a dime for kibble!!! *grin*)

 So Olli-vah gets ta be a hero and give blood (they kept a pint extra just in case she needs it).

I've learned something in this too -- I was SUPER concerned when she told me over the weekend that when Snickers threw up she threw up not just that morning's food but the day before's breakfast as well -- as evidenced by TWO of the same pills that had been regurgitated one given Saturday a.m. and one given Sunday a.m. completely undigested).

Now man -- I would have lost my mind then and there.  I know in renal failure the stomach will stop digesting... but I just couldn't figure this!  But this doctor told Outdoorschik that the body was simply conserving blood by shutting down systems it didn't need for life function -- stomach and pancreas.  But that she thot it would likely survive and come back.

But wow -- the body is amazing.  To conserve itself like that.

But man, BIG HUGE prayers and good thots still -- and thanks folks.  I think once again it's a testament to the incredibly strong wills, prayers, and postiive forces at work here!!

It seems that prayers and good thoughts are pouring in for this little gal ...and I'm sending mine your way too.  Extra hugs for Oliver ...and "Auntie" Callie deserves some too.  And Outdoorschik ...what an amazing testiment to the love you share with your dogs.  I'm thinking of you all.

This specialist sounds really good.  Glad that Snickers will be in good hands while you're at the funeral.  WHOO HOO OLIVER!!  Gotta send a few belly rubs for you too!

Still thinking and pulling for you Snickers, keep on fighting.

Snickers most certainly has paryers and got thoughts from me.    I can't count the pints of tears i shed over my hunter and this awful diesease.  As Callie can tell you, until you hvae lived it,you can't imagine it.  Morris Animal Foundation is working on finding better treaments, and btter still a cure or way to prevent it.  They get donations from me regularly to that fund, Meisha's hpe Fund.

... well I'm back from Jersey... I have been driving literally for days and days now.

So far Snickers has received 2 transfusions and a boatload of immune suppressants. Yesterday morning she was at 18 and in the evening she was at 20. This morning she went down to 17 and if she goes any lower she'll receive another transfusion. She has not eaten now since sunday. They are about to syringe feed her today. They say it's ok that she had no food since that is the treatment for pancreatitis (fast for two/three days, support with fluids). They told me that they follow the 1/3 rule: 1/3 with this disease never need a transfusion and make it just fine, 1/3 needs intensive hospitalization and many transfusions/drugs and make it and 1/3 they lose... mostly due to clots. She is still holding on and doing everything they want her to so no negatives yet. Unfortunately yesterday her blood was still highly aglutinating which means she is still deeply in the throes of this disease and her body is still churning out the antibodies that are attacking her cells. Dangerous, but not unexpected as many dogs need 5-7 days hospitalization.

 I AM very upset with the facility/original specialist. She took great pains to tell me about her experience and all she'd do for snickers and let me know she'd be gone yesterday (works for two facilities) but that she'd be back today and that she was not deserting us. I placed all my trust and hope in this woman and when I called for an update today they tell me she's gone on a planned vacation to Colorado. Now, I'm not saying this hardworking person does not deserve a vacation or that anyone else in that facility is not equally capable, but I wish she had been honest... or if she'd forgotten due to how busy they were, to call me. This is a really expensive gamble I am taking and with snickers' jaundice, and pancreatis she was at the highest risk category and I put all my "hope and trust" into this one specialist. It hit me like a TON of bricks that she's not involved in Snickers' care.  I spoke with the vet caring for her and conveyed this... she said the woman probably plain forgot since she was so busy... I left it at that b/c I didn't want to alienate the woman caring for her now but my hope slipped a few notches, I can't help it. When this is over, regardless of the outcome, I think I'll write a letter to them.

Tonight, another blood panel to check pancreatitis and liver values, and another transfusion if she's slipped more. 

Holy crap!  How do you forget you're leaving for vacation?!  I hope the vet caring for Snickers has tons of experience too.  I can just imagine how betrayed you feel.  Good idea to just let it go w/ the current vet though...I mean she can't help what the other woman did. 

Still pulling for you Snickers.  Fingers crossed for good/better values on tonights test.

GO Snickers, GO! 17 is better than EIGHT, right? Almost ten whole points! Keep going girl!!! Up up UP! We're still thinking of you in FL.

Oh so many good vibes for you & Snickers.  ((HUGS)) for you, belly rubs for Snickers and Oliver.  The Paps send snuggles & kisses.

 Thanks everyone...

Everytime we get through a few hours I breathe a big sigh. I talked to them last at 4:30, she was syringe fed today and KEPT IT DOWN! they didn't do too much b/c she got "annoyed" with them, but they fed her small amounts often today. They were checking the levels and deciding on transfusion or not around 5:30. No call so either they had to transfuse and it went well or they didn't and that is also good, I'll take either at this point. The full blood panel to check liver values and pancreas values will be tomorrow morning, boy will I be nervous until then. I'll actually be at work for the first time all week, which will probably be good for me, being such a distraction and all, but it'll be tough to concentrate thinking about her.
 

Poor Snickers, what a horrible ordeal for her to have to go thru.  And, you must be so worried.  We are really pulling for her recovery. 

   Sounds like she's making some progress; it's great that she's keeping food down. I'll keep her in my thoughts and hope the results from the blood panel will be good. Keep it up Snickers; we're all pulling for you. Sending warm belly rubs and ear scritches.