Need Advice & Vibes for The Peanut (grady) UPDATE

    • Gold Top Dog

    Need Advice & Vibes for The Peanut (grady) UPDATE

    I know I haven't been really active here lately but life has been busy & I've been struggling with depression as well.  Ah, my life.  Anyway, I need help & good vibes for the Peanut (Aspen).  Go get something to drink & be ready for a long story.

    This goes back to June '08.  Aspen was diagnosed with Pancreatitis.  We got that under control & he's been thriving & I'm now slowly changing him off of the Rx diet that, to me, has no nutritutional value at all.  Read: all corn & grains to lower protein/fat quality kibble.  All seems to be going fine with transition. 

    That's part one of the issue.  Another aspect of this problem is his back.  He has now been banned from the bedroom unless I'm there to supervise his getting off the bed.  We've tried training him to use the steps & ramp but he just won't have it.  So his back is bad.  I've been taking him to Dr. Lee for acupuncture on weekly visits & will try to get as many chiro visits in as I can. 

    2 weeks ago I noticed that Aspen was acting ouchie & took him to see Dr. P (regular vet).  Dr. P Rx'd nsaid & a muscle relaxant for his back.  We followed the dosage & he seemed to be okay for about 5 days & fortunately we had an appointment with Dr. Lee later that week. (Are you getting lost yet?)  During our appointmment, I asked Dr. Lee to look at a lump that had just appeared.  She recommended that I go have it looked at.  Yup, that was already my plan since his gums were also looking pale.  Aspen was also due for some follow-up blood work because his Alfos (?) numbers were high & we have been keeping an eye on them.  The plan was to go get the lump looked at & get another blood draw done.  Dr. P took a poke @ the lump and announced it was a hemotoma.  That made sense because of another relationship problem with me, Grady, Aspen & houseguests.  Long story & not really pertinant to the story.

    We get the results of the bloodwork back & it shows a low grade anemia. Dr. S (Aspen's usual vet) recommends that we wait 10-14 days & take another cbc.  Fine.  I can deal with that.  So this week at Dr. Lees again we notice that there's been a 6 month trend of his hemoglobin, Hematcrit & RBC have been trending down so that now they register as low on the reports.  His lump is back & his gums are still pale.  We go back to see Dr. S for another CBC & CpL to see if the reticulation (sp?) is good.  Dr. S was also able to get a sample of the lump.

    So now, it's a holiday weekend & I won't get the results of the CpL, cbc or sample until Tuesday.  I'm freaking out.  Aspen is really droopy.  I don't know if it's from the anemia, pain from his back or just feeling ick.  His gums look worse to me & I'm scared spitless about my boy.

    So please, The Peanut needs all the good vibes you can spare & I need any advice you have.

    Thanks for sticking with my story.

     

    PS: Mods, if you think this needs to be moved, please feel free.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I don't have any advice other than trying to get him in today to your regular vet due to his feeling so badly and the paler gums.  I wish I could help in some way.  I would be scared too. 

     Sending your peanut all my good vibes and you some big hugs.   (((((Annie))))) 

    • Gold Top Dog

    We have a 3:20 appointment.  I just have this god aweful feeling that he's got some internal bleeding or something.  Yep, that's me, always looking on the sunny side. :/

    • Gold Top Dog

    aww...I have no input on the med stuff, BUT...I can offer good vibes so I am...in abundance! ((hugs)), Ann!

    • Gold Top Dog

    I am slammed at work and just can't take the time this deserves right now.

    1.  Could be internal bleeding but prollyl NOT if his platelets are ok (did the vet check those -- I'd assume he did a pretty complete blood panel??)

    2.  Reticulocytes are baby red blood cells -- I'm sure they're feeling their way thru possible IMHA or something like that.  But he's declining SLOW which is better

    3.  Food -- you may want to cook for him -- and sometimes with pancreatitis you can't have it all -- and you may have to not follow the current high protein trend (and it IS a trend -- I'm sorry cos some folks here are adamant about this, but high protein food is not always THE answer). 

    4.  Are you trying also to use some topicals on the spine??  Like wintergreen or peppermint oil -- not food flavoring but a good quality essential oil??  I can send you some for the Peanut if you don't have them at hand - I DO!!!!

    5.  WE NEED TO TALK ON THE PHONE.  I can help you work your way thru this in MANY ways.  You can use herbs instead of pharmaceutical relaxants and lessen the stress on the body.  PROBABLY you oughta be giving milk thistle with most *anything* he's getting for the pain. 

    I'll send you my phone number and if you send me yours I'll try to snag you.  We have Give Kids the World tomorrow so I'll be spending beaucoups of time in the car (way more than normal).

    Trust me dearheart, been there DONE it and good friends and buddies really HELP.  Davey says "a problem shared is a problem halved" -- and it's true.   and if nothing more I'll borrow the 2X4 if it's long enough to prop you up with!!! *hugs*

    • Gold Top Dog

    Annie asked me to let everyone know that she's on her way to the E vet with Aspen. His platelets are below 50,000.  She sure needs us all pulling for her little peanut.

    • Gold Top Dog

    This was sounding auto=immune to me -- if you talk to her give her my phone willya pretty please??  Dang - I wish my right arm was longer so I could hug her!!

    • Gold Top Dog

    calliecritturs
    This was sounding auto=immune to me -- if you talk to her give her my phone willya pretty please?? 

     

     yes, will do that. 

    • Gold Top Dog
    Oh Annie, Aspen... hang in there, little guy. Sending you guys tons and tons of good thoughts.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear Aspen isn't doing well. Sending lots of good thoughts your way ((hugs))
    • Gold Top Dog

     ((hugs)) Your both in my thoughts today!

    • Moderators
    • Gold Top Dog

     Geez Annie!  Sending our strongest healing vibes to Aspen and our biggest hugs and Bugsy's best kisses to you!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Healing vibes, healthy thots and lots of prayers coming your way, Annie!

    • Gold Top Dog

    My heart is breaking.  Sending good vibes for you and your peanut, Aspen.  Get better little one.

    • Gold Top Dog

     

    Many thoughts for Aspen!  Waiting on pins and needles for an update!