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Chad

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 16:28:49 GMT, Dimpled Chad opined:

Hi everyone. Here's a quick update on Frankie.

Frankie went in for an exam and blood tests Friday. The exam
re-confirmed the murmur and the arthritis on his back hips, which seem
to be troubling him a bit. We aren't moving forward yet on the
glucosomine, since the vet doesn't want to introduce yet another
drug/supplement into his system at this time. Otherwise, he is doing
well physically. They drew the blood and we went home for fun time and
naps.

Blood work came back pretty much as expected, which is good. Frankie's
platelet count is now well into the normal range. DW took the phone
call, and reports that it was 'very high'. We also see that Frankie is
slightly anemic (cbc is at 32%, where normal is around 35% IIRC), but
they normally don't get worried at such a slight reading. If it were
around 20-22% we'd begin to see signs of the anemia and might need to do
something about it. His white blood count was a bit high, but that's not
that abnormal. We also had sufficiently high readings of liver enzymes
to be concerned about it, but there's not much we can do about it right
now. We have to keep giving him the steroids, and hopefully as we taper
off to a lower level the liver enzymes will also decrease. So far there
hasn't been any sign of liver problems, so it is in the 'things to
monitor' pile.

We've lowered his steroid dose a bit and the rest remains the same.
Blood work in another week. Until then, much happiness because his
platelet count is so high. We're doing an abdominal ultrasound Tuesday
to look for signs of cancer or internal bleeding (the latter is
unlikely). The groomer (who is worried sick over Frankie) won't be
seeing him any time soon, since the vet doesn't think the close exposure
with the other dogs and the added stress is good while he is so heavily
immuno-suppressed. I think she'll understand.

DW and I are doing fine, though I find myself worrying all the time
about losing Frankie. We weren't ready for this sudden onset, but are
coping with it as best we can. We are enjoying as Montana recommends the
periods of normalcy with great gusto. I'm just hoping that there are
many many more months of normalcy. There might be; I just don't know.

Until next update, Frankie sends his love. He's enjoying so much the
extra peanut-butter treats, and thinks he's in doggy bliss. And it is
snowing! What fun to watch Frankie in it! Last night he really enjoyed
it. Today he's a bit slower, as he has been since this whole thing came
on. I'd be so happy if he'd regain his full enthusiasm, but I'll take
what I get when I get it.

Have a good weekend, friends.

Chad




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