Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

WEDNESDAY MAY 5 2004

EARLY MORNING UPDATE

Erin reports ...

Update on Rocky-Boy (as Dr. Reeves calls him): Rocky's very sore and on IVs

     When we called Dr. Reeves early Tuesday afternoon to confirm our appointment before leaving for Tyler and to ask him how many dogs we could bring, Dr. Reeves told us he was so busy with emergency patients that he had to ask us to postpone our vet visit. We asked about Rocky, and while he was in the midst of setting a broken leg on another dog, the doctor could only tell us that Rocky was still hanging in there.

     Finally yesterday evening Dr. Reeves called us when he got caught up and could talk for more than a minute. Rocky is, of course, feeling very sore (after Monday's surgery to have his spleen removed), and the old fella doesn't want to eat or drink. Since the operation Rocky's been on IV fluids part of the time, including glucose and vitamins to get nourishment in him. The doctor is hoping Rocky will eat on his own by this evening. If not, the doctor will force-feed Rocky, but he's going to wait until late today because Rocky might get sick (from the anesthetic still in his body).

     The results of the analysis of Rocky's spleen haven't come back, but Rocky's blood work did come back looking better: His white blood cell count was down from 60,000 to 18,000 (12,000 is normal). The red blood cells were up four points, so even though he's not at normal, he's doing better. Still, though, our old Rocky-Boy needs a lot of prayer!

     We'll call Dr. Reeves later this morning and and try to get another update before the noon posting.

Dr. Reeves asked about Gretchen, who had been scheduled for a new arrivals checkup; we check for worms with our donated microscope

     Dr. Reeves asked how Gretchen was, and we told him that she misses her previous owner. I walked her outside our fence and Gretchen whined and tried to get in the car. I told Dr. Reeves that we had done a fecal test for Gretchen with our donated microscope, and she didn't have any worms that we could see.

     "Can we take Gretchen to the park?" I asked. [The "park" is our big play yard.]

     "Sure," he said.

     "Could she get Parvo?" I asked.

     "No, highly unlikely," he said.

     Gretchen looks very healthy. She does limp a bit, however, and has heavy breathing. Next visit (probably next Tuesday) we'll take her in for a heartworm test. The doctor only had time to give her her rabies vaccination before we brought her home last Friday.

Dr. Reeves also asked about Old Sassy Katie (who missed her acupuncture treatment Tuesday)

     Katie seems to be feeling good. She was walking around the park with Toby last evening at sunset.

NOON UPDATE

Rocky-Boy Update: "Hopefully this is Rocky's day to turn around"

     Erin just talked to Dr. Reeves and then called me. Rocky ate a few bites of food last night, but he doesn't want to eat this morning, so when Dr. Reeves administers his IV fluids (which he will do shortly), he will also force-feed Rocky. "Hopefully this is Rocky's day to turn-around," the doctor said.

Mother dog and pup need a home

     There is a mother dog living in an alley in Athens, Texas (a city near us) with one five- or six-week-old puppy. A gentleman with six children took the other three puppies for his children, the lady who called us said. This kind woman, who is feeding the mama, says that both mother and pup look healthy. The woman has 12 dogs of her own and is sure her neighbors will complain even more if they see her bringing another two dogs in. Does anyone know of a foster home for this stray and her pup? Thank you!