Straydog UPDATE posted SUNDAY 7/6/03 at ~9:00 p.m. CT

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

SUNDAY JULY 6 2003

April is rushed to the vet clinic for an emergency examination this afternoon

     At about four o'clock this afternoon a caregiver called over the walkie-talkie from April and Johnny's kennel that there was something very wrong with April. She had just gone to the bathroom and there was a large amount of blood in her diarrhea.

     We called Dr. Morton right away, and he said to bring April in, he'd meet us at his clinic.

     Dr. Morton drew three vials of blood so he could test some of the blood there today and also send some off for to the lab for more extensive tests.

     The doctor is going to test April's blood for Tick Fever (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) and also make sure the rest of her counts are in the normal range.

     Dr. Morton did not want to give a diagnosis until the tests are complete. Hemorrhaging Gastroenteritis can be caused by several conditions--everything from coccidia to an intestinal tumor. Most of the suspected conditions are conventionally treated with antibiotics and steroids, so April was sent home with both.

     We will know more tomorrow when we see Dr. Morton for Anthony (a sore in his mouth), Julie (a sore paw), and Willie (for his puppy shots). Dr. Morton will also be consulting with Dr. MacDonald in the morning about Lassie's possible insulinoma. I had only made an appointment for Willie's puppy shots, so I asked Dr. Morton if he would have time for the other dogs to come to the clinic, too. Dr. Morton said, "For Straydog, we will ALWAYS make time." Thank you, Dr. Morton. We appreciate that very much, Dr. Morton!

Guy puts April into a travel crate in the back of the van so Shannon can drive her to the vet clinic.

Back home April gets a drink right away from her (and Johnny's) water bucket.

Let's hope beautiful April's blood tests show nothing serious.

Don and Brenda Dillon and Sandra Porter visit us today

     The Dillons have been supporters of Straydog Inc. for a long, long time, and today they came to visit us and brought a friend, Sandra Porter, along because she is considering starting up a no-kill dog shelter, and she wanted to see first-hand how we operate. We had a nice visit, and I gave them the grand tour.

Bill Arnold, Sandra Porter (who might open a shelter) and Don and Brenda Dillon