Bingo's latest blood test

[Vally]

Hey Claire!!!

Tamara, thanks for your offer of help, it’s very much appreciated.

Of course I didn’t sleep last night. I had all these towels under Bingo with a nice baby wrap on top, but he didn’t really appreciate any of this, because he just moved up closer to the pillows with most of his body on my warm blankets. I was too scared to wake him in case I startled him, but I felt him turning over every so often. I would often flip him over so that he wouldn’t get stiff by lying on one side all night. I tried to convince him to go outside for a wee last night at about 1am, but he said I was insane. I woke up at about 4am again and tried again to see if he wanted to go out – he said he was fine. This morning he was feeling good and didn’t need to go out until after he’d eaten.

Yesterday, I also started back on my wimp version of every second day dosing (meaning every day 6 he gets sneaked an 1/8 of pred instead of skipping).

I know if the internist had seen him yesterday, he would say repeat the test in 6-8 weeks. He never panics over slight outs in blood tests.

I’m thinking I’ll repeat the test in 2 weeks locally, where it will be easier to do it with him fasted as I can go in earlier there. Despite them saying it’s not the cartrophen, I’m not convinced – I have found one (yes only one unfortunately) reference to dog drinking more after the injections. The extra drinking has suddenly occurred in the last 2 weeks. Since he’s had his last shot, I’m really really hoping that his drinking will go back to normal after a week or so.

Love to all my friends.
Vally & Bingo (who would have slept very soundly, if not for me)

[Tamara]

Vally, oh my goodness, do I understand the sleepless nights from worrying. We’re never the same, I tell people I’m scarred for life and I know they don’t understand but we do. I’m glad you’re going to repeat the tests sooner rather than later, and I am really happy to hear that Bingo is eating well (yes?), that is so important and tells us so much. Please do keep us posted, sending you and Bingo hugs and love —
tamara and ashki

[Hope]

Hiya Vally!!

I’m so sorry to hear about your worries with Bingo. I am useless to you in the form of advice but please know that I am thinking about y’all. Like Tamara said, I now know too well the worry and paranoia that comes with being in this club. I think two weeks time sounds good for taking him in for a fasted-check.

Many hugs to both of you!
Xoxo hope and Steve

[Vally]

Hope, you’re not useless by any means and your good thoughts mean a lot. It’s not just technical advice that’s offered on this forum, but friendship. That’s very important and appreciated.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Hope]

Well there’s lots of that from super Steve, the gas master and I to both of y’all!!! <3

Hugs!
Xoxo hope and the kids

[admin]

Hi Vally

Yes I totally agree – support, friendship & shared experiences are just as important as the medical stuff. We all need each other. It’s also important to have a good laugh. Every dog & cat has a different story, different treatment & different reaction, so we all learn from each other. Dear Hope – I love reading your posts & it’s great having you here. When Worzel was ill, I really needed everyone on here big time and they never let me down. Knowing people care makes a massive difference during the tough times.

Vally, I have looked at numerous articles on cartrophen & can see no side effects relating to thirst as such, but sometimes anyone or any dog can have an unusual reaction. Oedema is mentioned (water retention) – that could possibly cause thirst. It DOES temporarily change blood test results though, so I think you are wise to be suspicious and to wait & see if it settles down. I don’t blame you for the “wimp” pred version for now either, but you know what a wimp I am as well!

Hoping you both get a good night’s sleep, free from Bingo flipping – is this a new game you have invented, Vally? It may go viral.

Love as always from me & the boys, Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxx

[Vally]

Yeah, well Bingo won that game didn’t he. He wee’d on the bed, so I don’t do the “flipping” any more.

I felt him at one stage get up and scratch (still have some fleas here – found 3 on him before bed last night), but he got the nails of his back foot caught in a knot in the hair of his ear. Thank goodness I’m a light sleeper, or he would have been sitting there with his foot stuck up on his ear all night. Maybe that could be a new yoga pose – “dog foot to ear”.

Love to all, Vally & the Dud.

[Hope]

Sheena –

I couldn’t agree with you more … had a very small little cry session today bc a few insensitive members of my family were being negative and frankly uneducated about what’s going on and I got overwhelmed by the questions. Having y’all to turn to makes all the difference in the world and I’d be lost without you!

Vally – copyright it before someone steals! It’s the new “tree pose”.. I can hear it now!

Hugs!
xoxo Hope and Steve