The stony truth

Why is Merida smiling?

Because she's home and finally has a diagnosis.

To backtrack a little:

1. Back in November, we took her to the vet for a suspected UTI.  A urinalysis was performed and it was confirmed that there was bacteria etc. She was on antibiotics for 7 days and at the end of the course, the UTI seemed to clear up.

2. Fast forward to the end of February. On a surprisingly warm day, I took her for a walk and saw blood in her urine. Back to the vet we went and this time she received a 14 day course of antibiotics.

The course finished, another urinalysis was performed, but with different results.

There was no bacteria, but there was the presence of other foreign matter. An xray showed a small blob/lump/something in her bladder.

3. So, this past Monday, she spent a day and night at the vet's office where they cleaned/drained her bladder and scoped it. She had 3 small stones banging around in the bladder, causing irritation and bloody urine. The stones are currently in the lab and we're waiting for the results on their composition. This will determine her dietary needs for the rest of her life.

4. Right now, she's on Royal Canin Urinary SO dog food. She cannot have anything else because we don't know what caused the stones in the first place. This dog food will a) make her thirsty and force her to drink more water, which will cause increased urination. This is good to keep the bladder flushed. And b) it will inhibit the growth of future stones.

Temperament and behavior wise, she's back to normal. When we brought her home on Tuesday, she seemed glad to be home with us. It's always different when you come home, isn't it? She has shaved patches on her front legs where the IV was placed, but other than that, you wouldn't know she had a procedure done. She has one more day of anti-inflammatory meds - Metacalm, and about 8 or 9 days left of antibiotics. In a couple months she has to go back for another urinalysis test.

We are grateful it wasn't anything more serious with her kidneys and with this diagnosis, we have an action plan for the short and long term.

More to come once we have an update on the stones themselves.

Germy... again...

Please forgive my absence over the past week or so.  What started out as being busy as the weekend started, quickly became yet another bout with germs.

I haven't posted about our September trip, but I got the cold while on vacation... awesome, I know.  Although, in my defense, I did pick it up either on the airplane or in our hotel in Las Vegas.  Two places known for their cleanliness, right? ;)

Then, this past weekend, I picked up the flu.

This makes about the 7th time I've been sick this year ranging from the stomach flu, colds and respiratory flu.

I'm doing much better now, the chills and aches have gone away and physically I feel stronger.  Only a slight stuffy nose and sore throat remain.

I'm at my wits end to develop a way for me to stay healthy and stave off the germs.  If I could wear hand sanitizer on my fingers full time when out in public, I would.  The fact that cold and flu season is upon us, I fear more bouts with germs.  I've even half considered wearing a surgical mask while out in the malls and so on where germs are more rampant in the winter months, but we'll see.

Gimli and the plum pit part 2

Little fat Gimli
Sat like a corgi
Eating his stolen plum
He ate the pit
Candy threw a fit
And said, "What a wicked boy you've become." **

** Modelled after the Nursery Rhyme, "Little Jack Horner"

That should have been the tagline for yesterday's post, but my mind was not working on account of Mr. Greedy Pants.

I watched him all afternoon and evening and he exhibited no ill effects.  He ate, pooped and played like normal so I started to relax a little, but I knew I couldn't rest til I saw that pit come back out!

I had planned for him to sleep in our room last night just so if he ran into trouble we'd hear him, but Gimli didn't want to.  He made a beeline for his crate as usual, so we left him there.

This morning, I went to let him out and saw the pit in the crate.  He must have thrown it up last night and thank God he had the sense not to eat it again!  I've never been so happy for him to throw up!

He's back to his old self again, barking, frapping and being all around cute.  Me? my blood pressure is only just back to normal levels.

Gimli ate a plum pit

Today, Lord Gimli ate half of a plum and the pit.  I was eating it and sharing pieces of the flesh with him when it dropped out of my hand and onto the floor.  He snatched it up right away and before I could ply him with something else, it was gone into his belly.

I freaked out and didn't know if I should induce vomiting or wait him out.  I spoke to the vet's office who said to watch him over the course of the afternoon, as if he became lethargic etc that it would be cause to bring him in.  They also said to watch his poops tonight and over the course of tomorrow to ensure it comes out or if he throws it up.

I've been watching him over the course of the afternoon and he's been fine.  He's been following me all over and barking as usual at everything.  He's also been eating snacks like normal.  This evening with his dinner I am going to give him some pumpkin to help.

Here's hoping the pit makes an appearance soon, I don't like it when my bear is like this.

Thankful

Last Tuesday was Mike's birthday.  It was also Spring break for the elementary and high school students in Ontario.  We went out to dinner to a restaurant packed with little bags of disease children. We went out to Dairy Queen after for a couple small Blizzards, which were still too big, and then we came home.

A couple hours later, I had a chill.  Mike looked at me like I was a weirdo, not different than usual.  The next morning, my throat was sore, I was achy and hot and cold running chills.

I ended up taking a sick day on Friday to rest and it helped a little.  Now I'm left with a hacking cough that threatens to erupt at any time.  This makes talking on the phone a little tough, thank God for the mute button!

I was upset that I was sick for the third time this year.  Last year by this time, I was sick once. I decided instead of grumbling about it and complaining, I've been thankful that my sicknesses have been the stomach flu and a couple of colds.  There are people in this world that are fighting and struggling with devastating illnesses and so I have no right to complain.

Over the past few days, Gimli has been great.  It seems they know when you're not at your best and suspend that corgi bossiness til you're better. Typical corgi, right?

Tomorrow,  I'm heading to the doctor for a reason unrelated to this cold.  Here's hoping she can give me some answers.

ps, if you get the hot and cold running chills comment, then you are awesome.