Simone Update 9/15

The sun peaked out of the clouds today for the first time since Wednesday. It seemed symbolic as we received a little bit of good news for what felt like the first time in ages.

We gave the vet permission to do the blood transfusion early yesterday afternoon, but they weren't able to start it until 6pm. We didn't hear anything until 10:15pm last night when Amanda called to say that everything had gone well. Simone didn't have a bad reaction, and laid quietly in the oxygen cage during the entire 4 hour transfusion. Amanda said Simone had eaten a can of chicken and rice earlier and seemed to be doing okay. She said they would repeat the PCV test at midnight and then again at 7am along with a check on the liver enzymes. They also started her on heparin, a drug to support her liver, and gave her some anti-nausea medication in case an upset tummy was causing her inappetite.

I went to Portland today to see the Body Worlds exhibit at OMSI with my friend Sonya and have lunch. It was tough deciding whether or not to go, but in the end we decided I needed to take a little break and get away from things for awhile. Gary stayed at home to be near the phone and available in case anything came up. Amanda called at 11am and talked with Gary and told him that her PCV at midnight was 27, and it was up to 30 by 7am. That was positive, as it may indicate that she is starting to make red blood cells again. Dr. Gordon, the vet who took over for Dr. Ruaux (who left on vacation) said she was surprised that her PCV value was that high. It gives us hope that she may be on the mend.

Unfortunately, Simone still has some pretty major hurdles ahead. Even though she has increased numbers of red blood cells, she is still hypoxic (lacking oxygen), which is of concern. So, they still have her in the oxygen cage to help her breathe. Her liver enzymes are still elevated, but Amanda said that is to be expected because of the blood transfusion, and it may take some time for those to begin getting back to more normal levels.

Gary was able to go and see her this afternoon, and took her some of her duck and potato dry and canned food, and some pumpkin muffins that I baked her yesterday. She managed to wag her tail a little when she saw him, but still didn't seem to feel too good, and refused to eat any of the treats that he brought. He took her outside to go potty, and give her love. He was able to snap this photo of her with his cell phone.

We received another call from Amanda around 5pm. She said that Simone slept most of the afternoon, and while she wasn't too interested in "real" food, ate about 10 of the pumpkin muffins that I made her. She said they would do a CBC and check the liver enzymes again in the morning and then get back to us. Depending on how things look, they may give her another blood transfusion. As of this evening, she will be there through at least Monday, and we will continue to play it by ear.

We hope to be able to go visit her again tomorrow and find her feeling better. We'll let you know again tomorrow how it goes.

It would be wonderful if you could send her healing thoughts, ones especially targeted to her liver and blood. Think lower liver enzyme levels and decreased liver inflammation, and higher red blood cell counts with increased oxygen carrying capacity!

Thank you to all of you for your love and support. It truly means a lot to us.

Love, Carley and Gary