Charlie update: Im so sorry I couldnt post sooner. It’s been a rough week… really rough. Anna and Curtis are both very sick... home today in bed sick, Dominic got 2 referrals with in-school suspensions and had to defend himself physically today (my boy in a fight?!? what???), and Anna had some school issues this week too. Had my hands very full this afternoon. So finally, heres my Charlie update: I took Charlie to San Antonio today for a second opinion. The swelling and redness continued to spread overnight all the way to mid-trunk. He was more lethargic today too. Right as I was pulling in, Dr. Grantham, the first vet, called to check on him. He knew we were going for the appointment, since the new vet called him for records. I was worried he would be offended but he wasn’t at all. He said that if Charlie wasn’t better today, he was going to recommend that we see an internal medicine specialist. He told me he wasn’t working and that he was calling on his cell phone, and to please call him after the appointment. I was very touched. The new vet, Dr. Macfarland, shaved Charlie’s neck and part of his chest. We could find no obvious injury, sting, or bite. Charlie’s temp was more elevated than yesterday. They took some blood and did a clotting time… which took right at 2 minutes and is the upper part of the normal range. Any longer and it would be worrisome. His platelets were lower than yesterday too but still not in the dangerous range. Dr. Macfarland sent some blood work out to the lab for further testing and will call me tomorrow with those results. We stopped the anti-inflammatory and are starting him on Prednisone tomorrow, also continuing the antibiotic and vitamin K. We are to watch for increased swelling, redness, any signs of necrosis (that would indicate snake venom tissue damage), loss of appetite, and loss of energy. So this vet thinks 1) atypical snake bite, 2) traumatic injury (which is what first vet thinks), or 3) atypical presentation of autoimmune thrombocytopenia (which is where the body suddenly starts attacking its own platelets). She also gave me her personal cell phone number and said to call if he worsens. I called Dr. Grantham back to update him and he was so kind. He wanted to make sure that we knew not to mix the anti-inflammatory and the steroids. He also said he really debated on whether or not to hospitalize Charlie but since he was still perky, eating, and drinking, that he’d be more comfortable at home. He also said they don’t have the machinery or equipment at his clinic to do the clotting time so he was glad I went to San Antonio. I feel really good about both of these doctors caring for Charlie. I think we should know more tomorrow. Even though Charlie is appearing to get worse day by day (egads, I will not share a photo of how my poor boy looks now… yikes), he is not in any imminent danger. If I feel that he’s taking a turn for the worse, I will get him emergency help. Thank you to everyone who chimed in… those with expert knowledge and those with prayers. You all helped so much, I can’t even tell you.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 02:50:41 +0000
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