48 Hours

Well, it’s been a strange and totally unexpected 48 hours.  Two nights ago, we Scotties were lounging on the couch after our dinner and we ended up snoozing while Wen watched TV and answered emails on her iPad.  Later on, when it was time for us to go outside before going to bed, I felt weird and I didn’t move, so Wen picked me up and took me outside with my sisters.  They did their business while I stood like a statue.

Wen knew that something was wrong, so she carried me inside and checked my neck and back for any pain and I wasn’t painful.  She flipped my feet over to see if I could place them and then looked at my eyes and my gums and my mucous membranes were nice and pink and there were no signs of jaundice.  Then she took my temperature and it was very high:  104.8, which really concerned Wen and she called our vet who made recommendations, but the more they talked, it became apparent that I needed to go to an emergency hospital.  I wouldn’t even show any interest in my favorite treats, which was a big red flag.

Wen put me in the car and off we went to the ER, where they gave me a thorough exam and other than my fever, which was now 105  and reluctance to move, nothing specific was diagnosed, so they recommended bloodwork and x-rays.

Wen sat in the lobby while they drew my blood and took films of my whole body and then the doctor told her that my bloodwork was normal, except for elevated liver values and the x-rays didn’t show anything concerning.  I was admitted to the hospital, where I was given IV fluids and antibiotics to lower my temperature and treat a liver infection.  After saying good-bye, Wen left for the night and they continued my treatment until the next afternoon, when they did an ultrasound of my abdomen.  The doctor called Wen to tell her that my liver and gallbladder had inflammation and she recommended that I stay another night at the hospital for more treatment, although Wen was encouraged to come and visit me, especially since I still wasn’t eating.

By the time that Wen arrived to see me though, they had offered me food and I ate ravenously, so that was good news.  We had a little visit in an exam room and Wen was very encouraging, but then she left and they took me back for more treatment.

Fortunately, I looked and felt much better in the morning, so they contacted Wen and told her that I could be released and go home on antibiotics.  She came and picked me up and took me home, where Molly and Sadie were happy to see me after 48 hours.

All in all, it was probably the scariest 48 hours of my life, not feeling well and having to spend two nights in the hospital, but I guess it was all worth it to figure out what was wrong with me and make me feel better.  The staff at the ER told Wen that I was really sweet and very cooperative for them.  It was partially because I didn’t feel well, but mostly because I am a good boy!  And now this good boy is grateful to feel more like myself and be back home where I belong!