Help and advice – Experience with Acute Respiratory Syndrom in AIHA dog

[admin]

Anne-Marie,
keep this poem handy when family or friends talk to you:

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,”
or “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don’t understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by
“just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you probably understand
phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog”
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its’ not “just a dog”
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
“just a man” or “just a woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog,”
just smile,
because they “just don’t understand.”

~Unknown Author~

[Anne]

Hi again everyone,

Thanks for the beautiful poem Brigitte. I’ll keep that close by for sure. And it certainly reflects how we feel about our dogs.

I emailed Dr. Dodds and provided her as much information has possible. Hopefully she’ll help our vets figure out what the problem is.

I also send out a scanned copy of Bilbo’s bloodwork, as requested.

Hope to have good news soon, thank you all for your good wishes.

Anne-Marie

[admin]

Hi Anne-Marie

What a pair of cuties! Love the photo of the two of them snuggled up together. It’s always disappointing when they can’t come home, but Bilbo really is in the best place for now. You vet does sound very nice & caring, which is always a weight off your mind. Ignore the comments from people who don’t understand how we feel – we had a few nasty comments about how thin Worzel became & that we were being cruel. Ignorance is rife!

I am really pleased to see you have contacted Dr Dodds – she got back to me very quickly (considering the time zone difference as well!) when I sent her Worzel’s information. She was more than happy for my vet to phone her from France too. Her fees are very reasonable in my opinion & everyone who has been helped by her has been amazed at her incredible knowlegde & kindness. She cares very much & I’m sure your vet can work well with her to get Bilbo well again.

Good news on the anaemia front by the sounds of it – great to hear about the improvement. I think the antibiotics sound like a really good idea if your vet suspects an infection – you never know, an infection could have been the trigger. Hopefully we might all have some more ideas between us when we see the blood results etc. I would appreciate it if you can include anything seen on the blood smears too as this sometimes helps. But I have to say now you are sending them to Dr Dodds, she will see what is going on & will give you the best advice.

Anything I can do to help, just ask. Sending you all our very best wishes & hoping your dear Bilbo will soon be well enough to come home.
Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

[Anne]

Hello everyone,

Just a quick update to let you know that Bilbo finally came home this afternoon. His breathing seems to be under control, but we have to monitor it carefully, just in case. We are now starting the home regimen, and David will be in charge of it. Dr. Dodds replied to me already. but didn’t say anything specific (which was good news, I guess) regarding his breathing issues: based on all the tests I sent her, she said that Bilbo reponse to the treatment seems excellent, to keep up with this. She sent me a document regarding her general recommendations for treatment and suggestions for food regimen. So now, we feel that we are in good hands, and finally reassured. We’ll get some much needed sleep too. I just wanted to thank everyone here for their good wishes and positives vibes. Sheena: I uploaded all I had in hand yesterday, so hopefully you’ll find there all you need to compare. Thanks for the great support too. :-)
Bilbo is back in the Shire!!

[Tamara]

Hi Anne-Marie, I’m so happy to read that Bilbo is back in the Shire! The photos are adorable. I’m thrilled he’s responding so well and I hope you all get some much needed rest.
Thinking of you all and sending love and hugs —
tamara and ashki xoxox

[Vally]

Anne-Marie, it’s so good Bilbo is home. He’ll be much happier and I have no doubt that helps.

If you need a medicine chart made up, I’d love to do it for you. Let me know if you would like one made up and I’ll post my email.

Love Vally & Bingo.

[admin]

Anne-Marie, it made me so happy to read Bilbo is home! he is still sick, but look where he was a few days ago, he has come such a long way. It was pretty rough too, and now he is home at the shire. This calls for a celebration! As Vally said, he will improve so much now that he is home where he belongs.
Best wishes,

Brigitte & the poodle boys, that are doing the happy dance

[hope]

Hi Anne-Marie!!

Congrats to you and mr. Bilbo that he has returned to the shire — I’m sure he is going to feel SOO much better at home with his people. Y’all have a long road ahead but you’re in great hands it seems and we’re all here for you! Try to rest up and relax– easier said than done but if you’re sick you cant take care of your sick baby!

Much love and hugs,
Hope Steve and Jeffrey

P.S. Where are the photos?! I want to see!