Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Hi all, Just sharing as some of you heard about Emma's "issues" a couple of months ago. So we're still going with all the eye business. I was in Africa for 7 weeks, her eyes stayed stable so my dogsitters didn't have any problems to deal with!! We have a new complication but taking it in our stride. At the moment that's the least of the worries. This morning when Em had her breakfast at 6.30am I had my usual beautiful bouncy 12yo BC trying to find me with her reduced vision. Happy and hungry!!! We had a bit more of a sleep (I'm on hols still!!). Then at 9.30am I had a dog that didn't really want to move. At first I thought she was just having a bit of an off morning. But then when she wouldn't come when I called her, wouldn't look at me when I said her name beside her, refused a schmako (completely unknown for this diabetic dog to ever refuse food), couldn't stand on her own and really wasn't even keen on lifting her head I knew we were in some real trouble. At first I thought she might be having a hypo, honey on gums - she was at least happy to lift her head. So off to the vet we tottled by 12pm, me in tears having to carry her because she couldn't really stand and when she walked she just stumbled everywhere and fell over. Exceptionally distressing . BSL's were perfect - not a hypo (was a bit glad about this because she hadn't had one before and they seem a bit scary). But she just lay on the table and struggled to breathe. Then we find out elevated temp, raspy breath, etc . Next step straight to the emergency clinic (as my vet said, no point in them admitting her and then calling me at closing time to say take her to emergency she may as well just get there and get specialist treatment straight away). So she was admitted with us thinking it is a chest infection probably either pseudomonas or pneumonia (both horridly bad!). Testing is happening, IV antibiotics, has an oxygen tube, etc. When I left her there I thin she was feeling so miserable she just didn't really care . Visited her again at about 6.30pm. She was able to stand up on her own , such a big improvement in 6 hours!! And she gave me a big lick and tail wags. At least I was able to change my thinking process from will she be PTS to what will the recovery process be. She's in for the night and I sort of hope she will stay tomorrow night too so she can continue having specialist round the clock care. So give all your dogs a big hug and thank them for being there with you, and don't forget to make the most of the moments you have with them because I can't believe how quickly she went down hill this morning. I'm pretty sure she'll bounce back from this but it just made me remember yet again how much I love her (and naughty munchkin Kenzie!) and that we all need to make sure we make the most of the short time we have with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poochmad Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 What a scare that would have been for you. Thank goodness she seems to be getting better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panxan Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Wow! Scarey for you and her I bet. Best wishes she continues on the road to recovery and is back home with you soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieDog Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I hope Emma bounces back fast! I too had a visit with the emergency vet this week so very much know the terror that is felt when our best mates fall sick. All the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leelaa17 Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Hope Emma recovers quickly and fully!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gidg Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Oh goodness, sounds extremely scary, but good that she's made an improvement. I hope she continues to improve and is home to you for some TLC soon. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 How is she going? Any updates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Well, I went in for a visit at about lunchtime today. Vet is very happy with how she is going. Has been off the oxygen since 5am and hasn't seemed to had too much trouble with her breathing. She's still on IV antibiotics and fluids. They said I could have taken her home but would prefer that she stayed at least one more night - I said I'm more than happy with that!! She was very happy to see me and we were able to walk her from her bed to the clinic door and back (yesterday she couldn't even stand up), that's about as much daily exercise as she's allowed at the moment. So she's in good hands again tonight, and hopefully will be home tomorrow night - but we'll play that by ear because I just want to make sure she gets fully better. Thanks for the well wishes all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 So glad things are going well, ,sending you hugs and hopes she will be home and doing even better tomorrow night. I bet she will be happy to be home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 Well, Emma got to come home tonight! Yay!! She's very weak. Couldn't stand up to eat her dinner, and then after a while couldn't be bothered putting her nose in the bowl (although was more than happy to be hand fed so I think she might be playing me a little!!!). But she's so much brighter!! She was able to walk in the house on her own, and also out to check the back yard and make sure Kenzie hadn't ruined it for her!! Of course that's worn her out now so she's blissfully sleeping in her spot at the front door. More drugs added onto her med sheet - oh well, so long as she gets better. So I have to make my 12yo BC who loves having her daily jaunt at the park have bed rest for about 2 weeks (other than a little pottering around!!). So happy she's home and looking close to being back towards my usual beautiful girl!!! Oh and her photo is from earlier this year, she hasn't bounced back that well yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 I am so glad she is home again Lots of good food and rest ,and I hope she recovers well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 It's good to hear Emma's on the road to wellness but it does seem odd she took sickly like she did. Was it maybe a severe allergic reaction to something? What a horrible thing to go through and hugs all around!! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 17, 2011 Author Share Posted April 17, 2011 It's good to hear Emma's on the road to wellness but it does seem odd she took sickly like she did. Was it maybe a severe allergic reaction to something? Sort of odd, but not really looking at everything that's been going on. She's diabetic, had cataract surgery (heaps of post-op complications which we are still trying to manage), just recently developed a new problem with her eyes, so was put onto a steroidal anti-inflam - this has caused havoc with her immune system and we think she had a residual chest infection/pneumonia. So looking at the timeline of recent changes and knowing that there was the possible residual problem it all links together quite well and points to the steriod as the trigger for the downturn. They also said it is quite common with pneumonia and pseudomonas (the bug she may have) to see them go downhill within a few hours. And it looks like all her test results are pointing to the same conclusion. She's looking good today, and doing what every BC does - pushing herself further than she should!!! So it's close monitoring to make sure she takes it easy. Who would think that a 12yo would keep pushing themselves too hard!! We're heading back to the vet tomorrow just to have a bit of a check up. But she seems soooo much better and I think is just happy to be at home! If you ever have problems with your dogs and you're near Essendon Animal Accident and Emergency I can say that our experience has been wonderful with them, they were so caring, it cost me a lot but no where near what I thought it would, they were happy to allow me to be part of the decision making process about keeping her in or sending her home, and they were just lovely all round! Just my experience but it's all I can go on and for me it ticked the boxes with my emergency!! Thanks for well wishes, Emma sends you all a tail wag!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 And back to hospital we go. Not breathing quite the way I'd like her to this morning. Certainly no where close to as bad as it was the other day, but I guess better to get on top of things sooner rather than later. However, she has to get better soon - the money is running out!!! Fingers crossed she might be able to come home tonight if they are happy with how she goes during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 :D fingers crossed for her .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 So after having a slightly emotional visit with her the vet has given me an update (emotional because I don't like my beautiful girl being sick and I'm a bit scared that we are getting closer to big decision making that I don't want to make :p ). Her problem today is not her pneumonia, that's actually doing really well (comparatively to 5 days ago). They're quite happy with how her lungs are looking given the short time frame and obviously the antibiotics are doing something. Bad news, her diabetes has gone haywire. Her BSL was 36 I think, just borderline for ketoacidosis but she hasn't produced any ketones so this is a good thing. But they're trying to work out why her BSL is so high, how to get it stable, and is there anything else underlying. Apparently when diabetics get pneumonia it can make their BSL go out of whack so I'm hoping that is what's going on because that feel like it might be able to be managed. So fingers and paws crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Poor old girl - when old bodies have multiple malfunctions it's not nice :p I hope they can get her stable and comfortable ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 And hopefully she's home this afternoon! Have to call the vet again about 2-ish for the real verdict, but they've been happy with her overnight. BSL is slowly coming down. So hopefully just a hiccup and nothing more. I'm still going to keep my fingers and toes crossed! And it's probably a good opportunity for me to train Kenzie to cross her paws! Will let you know the prognosis later. PS - persephone - thankyou for being just absolutely lovely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perrin Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 That's good news about her BSL. Our old cat Perrin is diabetic so hopefully it is just a slight hiccup for Emma and nothing too serious. I really feel for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Home again! BSL too high but we're just going to monitor her and she's had an increase in her insulin dose - so now I have to also watch for a hypo!! So going to be making the most of all my doggy babysitters over the next week or so! I think she's just happy being home and hopefully that might also help her recovery. Yet again, thankyou well wishers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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