Yep, that's my sweet Isis girl... asleep in a basket :) We had been noticing her slowing down over the past several months. (she has congestive heart failure) and lately she had been having some IBS problems. But then a couple of weeks ago she stopped eating or drinking. I wouldn't force her to eat, but I knew water was vital so I'd squirt water onto her tongue many times a day.
As you can see in her photo, she can't "not eat" for very long! Besides which, that is usually the sign that they are ready to "go home". We wanted to give her every chance though... and took her to our fabulous vets - Dundee Animal Hospital. We assumed we would be given the worst news....
But our Isis girl, she is stubborn with a capital S! She always has been, and it has certainly come in handy during her illness :) After Xrays of her heart and blood tests to test her organs, (as she is on some fairly strong meds) it appears she was dehydrated. She did start this on the hottest, most humid day of the year... poor thing! (even in the a/c)
The doctor gave her some fluids under the skin - which is tricky with heart patients... so she gave her 1/2 the normal amount. Also some meds for her upset tummy - which actually works on the brain, not the stomach.. cool. And help for her IBS.
The next day she was feeling better... not totally, but eating and drinking! After a few more days I called the doctor back and told her she felt a bit better, but still had problems with the IBS even on the meds. After a 15 minute phone consult, she had me just zip into the hospital real quick to see one of the techs for another dose of fluids, and some more stuff for the IBS. (probiotics) She also decided to go ahead and cut her digoxin in half. That med is the only one that she is on that would cause the IBS.
Boy did we see a difference within a day! Now our sweet Isis girl is behaving like she was 6 months ago! Full of piss and vinegar, trying to playfully beat up her favorite "sister" Athena :) This is certainly a dog with 9 lives!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Isis Update... by Momma
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5 comments:
I'm so glad to hear that Isis is feeling better. I know how worried/scared you must have been. We had a scare with dehydration with Lexi (she ate sand, silly little girl) early this summer and were forced to take her to the emergency vet to have fluids injected under the skin. She wouldn't eat her normal food (but she would eat boiled chicken and rice) and she wouldn't drink. It was very worrisome for us.
Isis is proving to be one tough cookie! That a girl, Isis!
Just wanted to let you know that I nominated you guys for an award. Swing by our blog and check it out.
Hi,
I came over from Bentley and Lexus' blog to visit you. Mom loves the background you are using. And I am happy to find some new furiends!
Wags & wiggles,
Bijou
Way to go Isis, and to her loving family! This story makes my day.
Hi Tiffany, Bijou & Ken!
Thank you so much :) I'm a bit late repsonding... OK - more than a 'bit' late - but we still appreciate your comments.
hugs,
Laura & the Girls
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