Leave a bone for Isabelle Nicknames: IzzyB, Bea, FluffyBuns, Beatle, Beezy, BusyB, Stink Weed Doggie Dynamics:
Energy
sleepy
energetic
Intelligence
silly
genius
Friendliness
aggressive
affectionate
Playfulness
not playful
very playful
Disposition
anxious
calm
Quick Bio:
-purebred
Birthday: January 6th 2000 Likes: Walks, tummy rubs and going on the truck with Dad, attention from anybody!! Pet-Peeves: no walks Favorite Toy: pork hide chews, squeeky stuffed toys,balls, frisbees,sticks, anything Dad tosses Favorite Food: homemade tacos, cheese, Tyrell's Natural, Nutro dry Favorite Walk: wherever Dad stops the truck Best Tricks: Speak, Shake, Sit, Snarfle the cat food, I love to walk on the curb/retaining walls Arrival Story: IzzB was brought to us by my brother-in-law, from Clear Lake,CA. She'd been in 4 homes in 2 months. Bio: Isabelle has been diagnosed with AIHA, an auto-immune anemia disorder. She exhibited pale gums, and lack of stamina. Her hemocrit level (red blood cell count, or PCV) dwindled to 9, and should've been over 40. She has been transfused, which helped, but now her abdomen has become distended, filling with fluid. Aspiration showed that there is some blood in the fluid, indicating a possible tumor. She is on prednisone, and our hope is that she will re-absorb the fluid and produce her own normal red cells. For now, the prognosis is quite grim.
AIHA is a disease prominent in Cockers and some others, but not overly prevalent in Corgis. However, any dog may suddenly have it. It may be induced ( there is some evidence of this) by infection, bee stings or maybe even vaccinations.
Keep aware of your pups condition, and realize that not all changes in habit are behavioral in nature. IzzyB began eating dirt (a sign of mineral deficiency), and pottying in the living room at night, as well as having no stamina for brisk walks. By the time we realized she was ill, her gums were nearly white due to lack of normal red blood cells, which bring oxygen to the system.
It's worth reading up on, folks. It can be taken care of, and some pups never have a re-occurance. Others have a single, and a fairly large percentage cross the rainbow bridge from it.
We will keep all posted as to her condition.... Forums Motto: Snarfalus Catfoodium The Groups I'm In: ♥♥♥ CLUB CORGI ♥♥♥, Oregon Corgies!, West Coast Corgis The Last Forum I Posted In: New Brush!! I've Been On Dogster Since:
Isabelle succumbed to Auto-Immune Hemoplytic Anemia this morning at 11:15 a.m. pacific time.
I was with her when she took her final breath.
She was with me on the truck for over half a million miles. I spent more time with her than I do with my wife.
She was doing well until until about a month ago, when we were in Calif. She became less attentive, slept a lot (which she did anyway), and only wanted very short strolls. I got home as soon as possible, and had the 'hemocrit' levels in her blood checked. They were pretty low, hovering at 12.8. She was returned to the prednisone regimen, with an increase in azothioprine, but ultimately, she just couldn't shake off the disease. Her blood had the consistency of cherry Kool-Aid, and the abundance of white cells and deformed red cells confirmed the diagnosis.
She was shutting down, and there was nothing to be done about it.
I knew, in my heart this morning that it was time, when I lifted her lip and checked her gum and tongue color. They were nearly white. Her appitite was still good, but that was the prednisone working, not her.
The Veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca at Pacific Veterinary, was crying when she came in to tell me the results of the lab tests. I knew immediately that it was time.
I spent 30 minutes with her, alone, thanking her for the time she had given me, the lessons she had taught me and the unfailing love she gave.
She slipped across the Rainbow Bridge before the injection even was halfway over.
The Doctor and the technician were both very broken up, which led me to blubber like a baby. A big, strong 6ft truck driver sobbing like a child. Even as I write this, I have to stop and wipe my eyes.
I'm only consoled by the fact that she is preparing the way for me, when my time comes. And that she, and the others we have lost will be there to guide me Home when it's my turn across the Bridge.
I'm sure that Scout, Penny and all the others that have been in our family were there to greet her and show her where the good spots for a snooze are.
Thank You all, for your condolences, and your friendship. IzzyB loved everyone, and everyone seemed to love her.
As it should be.
Wowow!! Have we been busy!!
Dad and I have been out on the road twice now since I came back to work. I'm feeling much better now! The Dr. is weaning me off the nasty predisone stuff, and she even said I may eventually be off ALL the drugs! YAY!!
Dad and I have been going to the east, and doing three 'turns' before coming home. The truck was not running good, and Dad had to put most of the paycheck into it, but it's better now. We are sitting in Foristell,MO today, and will load in the morning to go to Prineville,OR. This is the second 'turn' for this trip. Dad says he hopes to get one more from Portland to PA, then home for a break.
The weather has been kinda hot and humid, so I'm shedding a lot. Dad's been using the Fuminator thingy on me, and it really feels good. He's calling me his "Hair Carpet Installer" because I'm shedding so much. He said he's thinking about getting a suppliment called 'Dinovite" to help with the shedding and stuff. I hope it tastes good!!
The nice veterinarian Dad takes me to said I could go back to work!
So, Dad came home and we went on a run. Actually several. Dad was getting loads from Portland,OR to Savannah, GA, and he said that we were behind in the bills, so we needed to run hard. So we did! We were out for almost 2 1/2 months! Dad got sick, and had to keep driving, but I was there to check on him and keep things on the road. We made our last delivery to Savannah, and Dad got us a motel room for 3 days. He needed to recuperate from being sick. He hadn't had anything to eat in about 5 days, so he was pretty weak and tired.
Our motel room was really nice. I got to sleep on the bed with Dad, and he took us for several walks around a lake that was there by the motel. He really liked it, and so did I.
Then we got a load from Charleston that went to Los Angeles. Dad took it pretty easy, 'cause he still wasn't 'up to par' he said.
I'm doing much better, too. The new medicine has got me feeling and acting like my old self. But, the prednisone makes me sooo hungry all the time! Dad says that maybe the Dr. will take me off it. I hope so, because all I think about is FOOD! I don't even save my porkhide chewies like I used to. I just gobble them right up! Dad has to take them away from me so I can save some for later.
We're home now, Dad has to go to the tooth Dr., and the truck had to go to the shop (again). Dad says we should be going back out this week, hopefully only for a couple of weeks.
The fuel prices are making us stay out longer, because we are paying more for fuel than we are bringing home. So, we have to run longer to make the money to pay the bills. Mom doesn't like that, either. She likes having us home more often.
Dad told me that we sre next up for another Savannah trip, so we should be loading soon. I like going to Savannah, because we usually get a load right back to somewhere close to home, and we can do the round trip in about 2 weeks.
Dad is going to take me to the Dr. tomorrow to get my blood levels checked (yuk). I think they're OK. I just want to get off that nasty prednisone stuff. Then maybe I can be my usual dainty self when I eat!!!!
