Sophie and the dreaded bloat

[shirley walsh]

Have had a very distressing week with Sophie...She had bloat last week and I had to rush her to an emergency veterinary hospital which was luckily only 10 mins in the car. She last had bloat and torsion in July 2013 ( she had bloat and torsion 3 times in 8 months in 2012-2013, then last year had mammary tumour removed which really knocked her for six ) She went into shock very quickly this time. She had previous gastropexy x2 in the past so I of course was so worried that her stomach had torsion as well. They initially decompressed the abdomen with x2 needles as she was getting really distressed. She was then anaesthetised and oral tube was passed without any difficulty. I got her home the next evening looking a lot better. She was on antibiotics as she aspirated during the procedure. She was put on ranitidine and metaclopromide to aid gut motility. I gave a gig sigh of relief that she did not require surgery...However the next morning she had fresh blood on her shaved abdomen at the site of the needle puncture wound...I thought that was a bit odd...and there was a large red mark which I thought was a razor burn. I phoned the vets and they were not unduly concerned. With a bit of sustained pressure the bleeding stopped. Sophie was a bit quiet for the rest of the day but was eating and drinking etc. By late evening I was getting a bit anxious and thinking she was too quiet. Checked her mucous membranes and they were nice and pink and my hubby said to stop worrying and said she was fine ( he is a surgeon ) The next day she still looked 'depressed' and I thought that something was not right. I phoned the vets to say I was not happy with her and that I was going to bring her in. They initially said to bring her in layer that afternoon but I said I was bringing her in now. Well I just got my keys and bag together and was about to go out the door with her when Sophie collapsed in a heap!. By this time I was starting to panic as I was on my own and no way could I carry her to my car. I managed to get her up on her feet and somehow got her in the car. When I arrived at the vets I said she needs to be seen now!. Luckily the vet came out and we both carried her to the consulting room. Her mucous membranes were white and she was in a bad way. I thought that she was bleeding internally and her blood clotting was not right. The vet warned me that there was a very real possibility that she would not make it!. I was beside myself that I may lose her...Anyway they took some bloods for a clotting screen and it showed very low platelets and her PCV (packed cell volume) was low. There was no way they could do anything surgical as she would just bleed out. It was then decided that she should have a blood transfusion  and I suggested her sister Missy would be an ideal candidate. Bless Missy who gave her blood to save her sister. It turns out she has had an idiopathic thrombocytopaenia which they are not sure of the cause. It could have been antibiotic related ,or she has used up all her platelets with bleed which was not enough to be catastrophic to kill her. (she had fluid in her abdomen which was a mixture of red blood cells and fluid) They commenced her on prednisolone and she also had a one of dose of vincristine to kick start her bone marrow. I got her home yesterday and taking it very slowly with her. Getting her bloods checked tomorrow. Hope they show an improvement. Apologies for the long post.

[shirley walsh]

update on Sophie....Much better today...Prednisolone now down to less than half ...Eating well...in fact only giving her small amounts frequently and now eating dog food. her mood/anxiety is improving and I can see the 'old' Sophie coming back. Her legs are still a bit wobbly due to muscle wasting but all in all we have turned a corner and I feel I can at least de stress a bit.

[Sue Paterson]

Good news! I hope it all continues to go well from here on. Bless her.

[James Doran]

Glad to hear that, Shirley. Best wishes.

[Cornelia]

Hi Shirley, I have read all about Sophie and I'm glad she turned a corner now - she looks like a very gentle and sweet girl, the one that loves a cuddle. Wishing you all the best and ongoing improvement of her health, C & J xxx

[shirley walsh]

She is a sweet girl and yes she loves cuddles. She is one tough cookie. Her sister Missy is a bit more 'excitable' but she loves cuddles too...I shall always be on the alert with her as ever but I am happy with her progress so far.

Shirl

[shirley walsh]

update...

Still getting a little bit stronger every day and is now eating well. She loves the royal canin low fat wet food and I am also giving her some of the RC low fat kibble...Bloods wise her PVC is still about 31.7%, HB 11.2 g/dl, platelets are fine. ( it was never below 25% when she had the bleed ) but will have them rechecked . She has now just nearly finished being weaned off her steroids. Her PLI (Pancreatic Spec Lipase) is 520ug/L. Hopefully her improved physical signs keep on going.

[James Doran]

I'm sure you are greatly relieved, Shirley. Even at this stage.

[silvia]

Hi shirley so glad to hear that sophie is improving... is a great relief and i wish to thank you a lot for finding the time to keep us posted in such a difficult time for you. Take care and be strong :)) a huge huge hug to sophie !

[Sue Paterson]

Good to hear of Sophie's progress.

[shirley walsh]

Sophie had a bit of a setback this week probably due to her pancreatitis. She has been kept in at my vets since Monday and is on IV fluids. She has had repeat bloods done and is doing okay. I was worried that she was not drinking enough and strangely she would not drink out of her bowl of fresh water , preferring to drink out of rain puddles...which worried me ( thank goodness we have had a lot of rain recently)She had finished weaning off her steroids on Saturday and on Sunday evening she was a bit 'off colour'. She seemed a bit more lethargic and restless and was not too keen to eat. I gave her a tramadol as I thought she was in a bit of pain. She settled that night but on Monday morning I decided to take her to my vet. I also noticed a very small nose bleed and immediately panicked that her platelets had maybe dropped. We have had all her bloods back and are just waiting on the specific Lipase result. her platelets are ok and her haemoglobin and haematocrit are coming up nicely. She may come home tomorrow...I am sure my hubby thinks I am neurotic but I know my Soph and trust my own gut instinct ( My vet says that I am not neurotic! )

Shirl