Scout Update 1/12/08

I dropped Scout off at 8 a.m. yesterday and picked her up at 5:30. They gave her IV fluids to rehydrate all day, plus a new antiobiotic. They ran a CBC blood panel to see if there were changes from Monday.
There were. Scout's white blood cell count had increased significantly. During our consult with the vet, she admitted that the original antibiotic had obviously not been working--and probably contributing to Scout's nausea--and should have been changed days ago.
She'd called the lab and had a consult with the technicians there, asking what they made of Scout's condition. Lyme disease was first on the list, although the test came back negative. The vet said sometimes it takes months for there to be a postive reading even if the disease is present. One of the new antibiotics the vet switched her to is the one they use to treat Lyme's. Just in case.
Other conditions mentioned were: spinal meningitis, cancer, lupus . . . none of them good.
I felt sorry for Dr. Angie. She has 3 dogs, loves them like her children, and is very upset over Scout's mysterious deterioration. She said our next step is to see a specialist, but as I've mentioned before, I don't think we will go there. The tests are all so expensive and there's no guarantee they'll even find anything . . .
Scout seemed perkier when we brought her home last night--probably just really glad to be home. She wagged her tail a bit and even made a circle or two (slowly) around the kitchen. She wasn't drooling-the sign of nausea--but still wouldn't eat, but I forced her to eat a bit of yogurt and broth. The vet said I had to force feed her because her blood sugar was getting low. I hate that because I feel like I'm torturing Scout instead of comforting her. It's tough love, I suppose.
I'm taking her back in today for more IV fluids and meds. We are supposed to go to Cannon Beach on Monday to plan for the marriage retreat but I told Greg I can't go if Scout isn't greatly improved by Monday.
I"m just praying her immune system kicks in and kicks out the bug. That we'll be able to keep her hydrated and enough food in her so she has the strength to fight whatever this is.
I want to share a precious prayer that a very small boy prayed for Scout last night:
"Dear Jesus, umm just please help that dog Scout feel better. Amen." Then he said, "Mommy, when that dog Scout feels better, can we go pet her?"
Amen . . .