Willow is almost off the pred, but nothing is cured ... her platelet count is still hovering around 60 thousand, where it should be up to around 200k. We're no further in knowing what's wrong than before we started all of the testing and medicines, so I'm declaring "enough!". At least it's holding stable. The official name for what's wrong is "Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia" ... at least it has a name, if not a cause/cure. Her UTI has not cleared up, it has stopped responding to antibiotics and medications (even the formaldehyde one) ... her latest urine culture was "crappy" .. her doctor's quote. It's now "non-responsive". And now Willow has a golf-ball sized soft tissue lump on the back of one of her rear legs. I havent had it looked at, the only thing they'll do is run tests and give her meds and make Willow more miserable. SHE is so tired and frustrated with medicines that hurt her stomach, visits to the doctor where she gets scared witless and hurt and poked and prodded ... she's been an absolute hyper nut since I told her that she could just be a dog for awhile. She's playing more, actually running (not just her usual trot) around the yard, jumping, trying to climb on me when I'm sitting on the couch, she doesnt want any more doctors. She wants to be a dog and enjoy life. I'm going to be taking her in to get her platelet count watched as we continue to wean her off the pred ... dont want to do that too quickly. Then I'll see if we can take her off her other immuno-suppressant (azathioprine) over time, but hopefully that'll be it ... Willow will be free to be a dog. I'll keep her on her prescription dog food, because of her IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) but then just let her be Willow. I hope.
Yea for Willow being happy being a dog again, as long as Willow is happy, that is the best you can do Elims ((((hugs)))) to both of you.
Big hugs to both of you! Yay for Willow having a Mommie who understands that, at some point, she just needs to be that doggie again. You do a great job loving her, just keep on keepin on. Willow will at least be happy! Frogger
