Sorry to hear about Bella, she is such a beautiful dog. I sure hope the meds work for her and she gets bettter.
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More bad news
- Thread starter AMidnightSoul
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i'm so very sorry for all this! 
i'm sending all my best wishes to you, your family, and your Bella.
i'm sending all my best wishes to you, your family, and your Bella.
Dropped Bella off this morning. She did fine through the night. She was mopey, but she did eat some. Her gums didn't appear to be bleeding as much this morning and I noticed there were some small clots of blood in the water dish this morning, unlike last night, where the water just turned orange because the blood wasn't clotted. Fingers crossed there's some news from the vet today.
lzver
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So sorry Bella is not well. I hope you get some good news at the vet today ((hugs))
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Any news?
None yet. Bella was at the vets office today for a few hours and they did a CBC which had the same result as yesterdays CBC. No platelets but her RBC count was normal, no more abnormalities in her RBC's than they saw yesterday. I am not sure why they haven't gotten the results back from CSU yet. Tomorrow I have to make a three hour (one way) trip for an hour long appt, so I'll be gone for 7 hours. I was planning on canceling so I wouldn't have to leave but the vet suggested I leave her there and keep my appt since I have to bring her back in for another CBC anyway, so they'll keep her all day. They will more than likely have the results from CSU and have a consult with CSU's immune specialist tomorrow also, so it's best if she's there. I worry about them drawing blood everyday, since she needs all the blood she has right now, but also because they have a hard time getting the bleeding to stop once they poke her.
I thought that the bleeding in her gums had subsided this morning, but after I picked her up from the vets, I stuck my finger in her mouth and it came out all bloody again
. I did see clotted blood in the water bowl this morning but maybe it clotted when it dripped in the water. I don't know how those things work.
Tonight the bleeding seems a little better. She's still actively bleeding from the gums/tongue but it doesn't seem nearly as bad as it has been. She's not feeling well though. If my other dog walks by her and looks receptive to play, she'll wag her booty & tail and do a half hearted pounce, but then she'll lay back down and rest, but not sleep (I assume she's not sleeping because her eyes are open. She does occassionally sleep with her eyes partway open, but her inner eyelid is usually closed when she does that so I can tell she's sleeping). I'm scared about leaving tomorrow morning, but I managed to get my appt moved up to an earlier time, so I'll be back mid-afternoon.
I called CSU today and explained the situation and was told I would receive a call back, but it hasn't happened yet. When I get back tomorrow, I'm going to have a long talk with my vet about the up-coming weekend and go over all the options for anything that could possibly happen over the weekend, what I should do for each thing, and what to look out for. I also think if I haven't heard back from CSU, either through a call-back or through my vet, I'm driving over there with Bella. I have the specialists name written down that my vet's consulting with, so that should cut back on any confusion.
I'm wondering if there wasn't a problem with the blood draw from yesterday. CSU is usually speedy and this is considered an emergency so I'm a little confused at why they haven't gotten results back to my vet. When I pressed my vet about it, she said it sometimes happens and since Bella's stable, there's not a lot they can do to rush them.......I'm also confused about what exactly they are testing for. I thought they were doing the clotting panel and the tick testing, etc., but I've had several people tell me they should be able to do the tick testing in-house since they can do a CBC in-house, so they must be testing for other things also. Of course, that was the one thing I forgot to put on my list to ask the vet about today. I'm just really confused at this point.
I thought that the bleeding in her gums had subsided this morning, but after I picked her up from the vets, I stuck my finger in her mouth and it came out all bloody again
. I did see clotted blood in the water bowl this morning but maybe it clotted when it dripped in the water. I don't know how those things work.Tonight the bleeding seems a little better. She's still actively bleeding from the gums/tongue but it doesn't seem nearly as bad as it has been. She's not feeling well though. If my other dog walks by her and looks receptive to play, she'll wag her booty & tail and do a half hearted pounce, but then she'll lay back down and rest, but not sleep (I assume she's not sleeping because her eyes are open. She does occassionally sleep with her eyes partway open, but her inner eyelid is usually closed when she does that so I can tell she's sleeping). I'm scared about leaving tomorrow morning, but I managed to get my appt moved up to an earlier time, so I'll be back mid-afternoon.
I called CSU today and explained the situation and was told I would receive a call back, but it hasn't happened yet. When I get back tomorrow, I'm going to have a long talk with my vet about the up-coming weekend and go over all the options for anything that could possibly happen over the weekend, what I should do for each thing, and what to look out for. I also think if I haven't heard back from CSU, either through a call-back or through my vet, I'm driving over there with Bella. I have the specialists name written down that my vet's consulting with, so that should cut back on any confusion.
I'm wondering if there wasn't a problem with the blood draw from yesterday. CSU is usually speedy and this is considered an emergency so I'm a little confused at why they haven't gotten results back to my vet. When I pressed my vet about it, she said it sometimes happens and since Bella's stable, there's not a lot they can do to rush them.......I'm also confused about what exactly they are testing for. I thought they were doing the clotting panel and the tick testing, etc., but I've had several people tell me they should be able to do the tick testing in-house since they can do a CBC in-house, so they must be testing for other things also. Of course, that was the one thing I forgot to put on my list to ask the vet about today. I'm just really confused at this point.
Has she ever had problems with clotting before? Here is another link where it says what other test they do usually...
No, she's never had any other clotting issues that I know of. She was 2 to 3 years old when I adopted her though. She's 6 to 7 now, but in the 3 1/2 years she's lived with me, she's not had any issues with incessant bleeding. Her gums bleed when she chews on stuff because she has bad gums, but it's never a large amount. Just small blood stains on a bone, stuffed animal or a tennis ball.
I don't see a new link though?
I don't see a new link though?
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Still keeping you and Bella in my thoughts and hoping you have news today. Sometimes waiting and letting your imagination run wild are the worst part
Thugluvgrl187
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I agree with you that you need to be proactive and take Bella to the specialist, if need be.
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I have done some reading on low platelet counts and it's possible causes. I have read about a suggested blood transfusion. Was this suggested at all?
I hope that you can find out what is causing this issue with her. I hope she makes a full recovery from this ailment. For now, until you hear more, comfy, peaceful and good thoughts coming your way.
I hope that you can find out what is causing this issue with her. I hope she makes a full recovery from this ailment. For now, until you hear more, comfy, peaceful and good thoughts coming your way.
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to give a quick update. I'll go into more detail next week. This weekend, I just want to spend time with Bella and baby her. The meds appear to be working. She is not actively bleeding anymore and there appears to be no new petechia on her eyes, gums or belly. Her gums look a little pale. Bella was at the vet on Friday and we made a plan for me to take her back on Tuesday for another blood draw and to go over long term care.
I plan on keeping my appt with my vet on Tuesday but I also plan on going into CSU for a second opinion next week. For now, Bella appears stable. The CSU tests conclude it is autoimmune related. CSU already has some of her blood from the first blood draw & the test results were ran by their lab, so it should be an easy consult with no need for another blood draw at CSU.
The vet did mention a blood transfusion might need to be done (before the medicine started working) but since her red blood cell count has been normal, she said now was not the time because there are serious complications with having too many red blood cells. It hasn't been mentioned again since then. The vet didn't go into detail Friday when I picked Bella up because they had an emergency come in. She just said the 'test results came back and it's confirmed to be autoimmune. The outlook is good for Bella and the medicine is slowing starting to work.' She also said they want to give her a rest from drawing blood, so she shouldn't go back in until Tuesday, at which time we'll talk at length about her diagnosis, the implications of it, her life going forward, etc. I will ask about the the plan once she has been on the steriod for so long (how to wean her off & what to do if she relapses once she's off it). I also plan on asking her what precautions we now have to take since she is on an immunosuppressant and probably will be forever.
The bad news is Bella is not feeling well. The pred. is making her drink copious amounts of water, so she has to go to pee every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. She's not happy at all and is just generally mopey. She'll get up to get a treat, take a drink, go outside to pee, but other than that, she is laying around. She's eating about 1/2 her normal amount of food, maybe a little less. It was the same yesterday evening. If she's still doing this tomorrow, I'm taking her into CSU, however, their immunologist is not in this weekend (hence, taking her into CSU next week & not this weekend for a consult), so I don't know that there's much they could do. Even when she was actively hemorraging, but not on meds, her attitude was much better, so I suspect it's the meds, or what the meds are doing to her system. If this is permanent, I can't see this being a long term solution. She doesn't feel well at all. Hopefully it's just her body adjusting to the immunosuppressant, etc.
Just wanted to give a quick update. I'll go into more detail next week. This weekend, I just want to spend time with Bella and baby her. The meds appear to be working. She is not actively bleeding anymore and there appears to be no new petechia on her eyes, gums or belly. Her gums look a little pale. Bella was at the vet on Friday and we made a plan for me to take her back on Tuesday for another blood draw and to go over long term care.
I plan on keeping my appt with my vet on Tuesday but I also plan on going into CSU for a second opinion next week. For now, Bella appears stable. The CSU tests conclude it is autoimmune related. CSU already has some of her blood from the first blood draw & the test results were ran by their lab, so it should be an easy consult with no need for another blood draw at CSU.
The vet did mention a blood transfusion might need to be done (before the medicine started working) but since her red blood cell count has been normal, she said now was not the time because there are serious complications with having too many red blood cells. It hasn't been mentioned again since then. The vet didn't go into detail Friday when I picked Bella up because they had an emergency come in. She just said the 'test results came back and it's confirmed to be autoimmune. The outlook is good for Bella and the medicine is slowing starting to work.' She also said they want to give her a rest from drawing blood, so she shouldn't go back in until Tuesday, at which time we'll talk at length about her diagnosis, the implications of it, her life going forward, etc. I will ask about the the plan once she has been on the steriod for so long (how to wean her off & what to do if she relapses once she's off it). I also plan on asking her what precautions we now have to take since she is on an immunosuppressant and probably will be forever.
The bad news is Bella is not feeling well. The pred. is making her drink copious amounts of water, so she has to go to pee every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. She's not happy at all and is just generally mopey. She'll get up to get a treat, take a drink, go outside to pee, but other than that, she is laying around. She's eating about 1/2 her normal amount of food, maybe a little less. It was the same yesterday evening. If she's still doing this tomorrow, I'm taking her into CSU, however, their immunologist is not in this weekend (hence, taking her into CSU next week & not this weekend for a consult), so I don't know that there's much they could do. Even when she was actively hemorraging, but not on meds, her attitude was much better, so I suspect it's the meds, or what the meds are doing to her system. If this is permanent, I can't see this being a long term solution. She doesn't feel well at all. Hopefully it's just her body adjusting to the immunosuppressant, etc.
SandraK
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I can only offer prayers for Bella and the strength for you to do what you have to for Bella's sake, no matter how difficult for you. My hope for all of you is that she'll be well but "if wishes were horses then beggars would ride".
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roxynoodle
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Try to focus on:
The meds are working (yes, steroids do have difficult side effects, but with some time she will hopefully adjust)
They know what is wrong and are working on a long term plan.
She's been through a lot and with the blood loss she is probably feeling weak right now, but over the next few days will likely perk up
You might ask the vet for something to increase iron or if some red meat would help her.
The meds are working (yes, steroids do have difficult side effects, but with some time she will hopefully adjust)
They know what is wrong and are working on a long term plan.
She's been through a lot and with the blood loss she is probably feeling weak right now, but over the next few days will likely perk up
You might ask the vet for something to increase iron or if some red meat would help her.
I got tail wags this morning! Morning cheer is back 
Hopefully her appetite will pick back up this evening. She's lounging in the backyard now, soaking up the morning sun, making sure all the dead grass sticks to her so she can come in after I vacuum and drop it all, 
.
Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted much this week. It's been a roller coaster. Bella's Red Blood count starting dropping, then it went up a bit, and now seems to have leveled off. Her platelet count is the same. She started actively bleeding again yesterday for a few hours, but then it subsided, although she still has blood in her stool, which is now completely runny. The diarrhea could be from a number of things. She hasn't been eating much, so I added some wet food to her dry food yesterday, and mixed it all together. She ate the whole bowl, which is a lot considering she hasn't been eating much, that on top of blood in her system and the meds could be causing the diarrhea.
They are worried about her bone marrow not functioning as it should. We have another specialist consult this afternoon. Her spirits are the same.....she's not in pain, but has no energy. I still don't know the outcome. They are hoping for a consistentcy with her red blood cells and platelets so they can tell if the meds are either working or not. At this point, they've just been yo-yo'ing. Since they've stayed the same since yesterday afternoon, hopefully they will not drop anymore.
They are worried about her bone marrow not functioning as it should. We have another specialist consult this afternoon. Her spirits are the same.....she's not in pain, but has no energy. I still don't know the outcome. They are hoping for a consistentcy with her red blood cells and platelets so they can tell if the meds are either working or not. At this point, they've just been yo-yo'ing. Since they've stayed the same since yesterday afternoon, hopefully they will not drop anymore.
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