Ellie Update #32: Great news from our Med Vet Visit today. The results of the CBC on the white blood cells (platelet count) and proteins assessment show no change (normal) and the panel they did to check the red blood cells shows that those have risen and Ellie is now in the normal range (36.1%)!!! YAY! So now, we start to taper off the Prednisone (steroid) some more. We would like to take her off the Prednisone completely but she may need to stay on it long term for her neck issue (cervical Myelopathy, C5-T2). We have seen some periodic back leg weakness this past week and the doctor feels that this is related to a combination of the neck issue and weakness from the steroid. I still am hopeful that her strength will improve with time but if she has to stay on a very low dose of Prednisone for her neck, then this gait change may be chronic. (But I am going to be optimistic and hope that she wont have to stay on that.) So as the Prednisone is tapered, we will monitor her ability to ambulate/get up from a laying position + her pain level and her response to these issues as we taper, will determine whether or not she has to stay on Prednisone. We will be seeing neurology (Dr. Lovett) next week to monitor her progress from last week and weve also made an appointment with Rehabilitation (Dr. Bancroft) for the same day to see if other treatments for her neck can be added (acupuncture or laser treatments) to reduce medications. Dr. Wagner, the holistic doctor, is on vacation so we couldnt schedule with her at this time but that is still in our plan to help address Ellies separation anxiety issues. Because her blood levels are so good, we dont have to see Dr. OKine (Internal Medicine) for 2 weeks for another blood check. Of course, if we notice anything bad happening between now and then, we can call Dr. OKine and get Ellie in sooner. What else? Oh, Ellies weight went up .1 lb and Dr. OKine said she could stand to gain a little bit more (get her to 100 -- that would mean 4 more lbs.) but as long as she is not losing weight, that is good. The doctor also said her temperature was good and her GI bleed is fully resolved and gone. EmojiEmoji YAY!! Ellie is also completely healed from her surgery with no signs whatsoever of infection. So her sutures were removed today and I was finally able to give her full on belly rubs! Woo Woo! Both Ellie and I have missed me doing those, believe me! AND we also got to discontinue 2 medications today and that was a good thing. So, all in all, a good visit. We are making progress, several good days now in a row with no problems, and we couldnt be happier! YAY, ELLIE BELLIE!!!! Good dog!!! YAY, MED VETS!!!
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 00:42:02 +0000