Tribute to my baby girl. I love you forever, Sybil!

My dear Sweet Sybil,

My heart aches everyday without you.

I miss you and am so grateful you taught me so much! It was YOU who inspired me to devote five years of my life to homeless animals. Because of YOU, our community has learned more about the importance of pet adoption, spay/neuter, volunteering and educating for homeless pets. YOU! You opened my eyes, little girl! It was you who helped save the lives of so many homeless pets!

I know you're enjoying the 24/7 bacon buffet at the Bridge, and more importantly, no longer in pain... I find much peace in that, although tears roll down my cheeks and I somehow get through every day without you.

I just HAVE TO TELL YOU!!!! ... You'd LOVE our new addition, Basset Hound (your sister) Silly Lillie. She joined our family on July 3, 2010. It took about two months for her tail to untuck. She'd have learned so much from you and I wish you were here to teach her about courage. You are the bravest (and most stubborn, lol) Beagle I've ever known!

Ironically, you'd be so proud of our little Sally Pally! Since Lillie's arrival, she's worked so incredibly hard to free of herself of her own neurotic, frightened demeanor just to show Lillie that everything is ok (I'm convinced of it!). It is YOUR influence that helped Sally find courage to help Lillie. She has drawn from the lessons you've taught her so she can help Lillie get over her fears. You taught her so very well and I'm forever grateful; as is she.

Our world is completely off kilter without you. I wanted to tell you that I think of you every single day and that it was you, my sweet little girl, who changed my life. From that, you changed the lives of countless homeless animals from five years working for a humane society. You have made a difference and I'll never be able to thank you enough.

I love and miss you, sweetie.

Love,

~Mommy

The Bridge is Beautiful

Oh my! If you could see all the angels here with me, you wouldn't be sad at all!

They are taking such good care of me at The Bridge. They've taught me how to fly with my wings and everyone says I look beautiful with them. I am so happy not be gasping for air and I have my appetite back. I am a Beagle again. I am at peace.

I'm getting my wings.

The fun guy is having a big party in my body. See, the fungal infection is so advanced the only way it may go away is for me to have 6 months worth of IV treatment. This treatment would be incredibly harsh on my sick beagley body.

The new med I got yesterday is to simply stop the fun guy from partying in different parts of my body, but not stop the party that has already started.

Last night was the worst night yet. My tummy bloated and I labored to take every breath. I had mini seizures. I am not going to get better and it's time for my wings at the bridge.

I can't wait to breath again! My barfritis will be gone and my liver won't be Swiss cheese. I will be able to do my two favorite things that ALL my personalities have loved since the day I was born: sniff and eat!

Angels will greet me and show me where the bunnies are. I'm fulfilled and my life was one filled with so much love.

A special note to my Snoop family, I luv you.

~Sybs

Fungus is not fun, but it's better than the "c" word!!

Guess what!! We got the blood test results back today and I have a fungal infection which is causing my short breaths! Althought it's not great news in itself, it's excellent news that I can catch my breath again and feel better!

Our dogter is researching for me to see if this is connected to my liver issues, but one step at time... it looks like we can treat this (hopefully!). Ironically, it seems the Prednisone caused this to surface, and it likely lay quietly in my body for a while. Daddy is picking up new meds right now (grrr... not really want I want... more for my druggie habit) and here's some info my mom found on the web about what I have:

Cryptococcosis is caused by a fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, which is widespread in the environment and can infect dogs, cats, and people. While this fungus is widespread, it infects a relatively small number of animals. It is primarily a problem in animals that have a deficient or suppressed immune system. This fungus is well known in human medicine as the disease that infects up to 20% of AIDS patients. The organism is relatively easy to diagnose and treatment can be performed successfully if instituted early.

Where is it found?

Cryptococcus is widespread throughout all of North America. The fungus has been isolated from several different locations including soil, fruits, and even the skin of healthy people. While it can be found almost anywhere, the primary source of exposure to people and animals is in bird excreta. Even more specifically, it appears to be very closely associated with pigeon feces. The high body temperature of pigeons prevents them from becoming infected, but the fungus can pass through their GI tract and become concentrated in their feces. The high level of creatinine in pigeon feces also creates an environment that is desirable for cryptococcus and if the fungus is protected from drying or sunlight it may live for up to two years.

How do pets or people become infected?

Pets and people contract the Cryptococcus infection primarily by inhaling the fungal particles. After the particles are inhaled they can take up residence in the nasal cavities or lungs. Some studies have shown that in a population of healthy dogs, up to 14% of them had Cryptococcus present in their nasal cavities. In a similar study of healthy cats, up to 7% contained the organism in their nasal passages.

After Cryptococcus reaches the lungs or nasal cavity it can do one of several things. In most healthy animals the fungus remains isolated and never creates any symptoms of problems. In animals with a suppressed immune system, e.g., from excessive steroid use, the disease can progress and create granulomas, pneumonia, or systemic disease and symptoms.

What symptoms are present?

Dogs that become infected with cryptococcus are usually young adult dogs of any breed. The Cocker Spaniel appears to have a slightly higher incidence of the disease than other breeds. Dogs have a different variety of symptoms than cats. In one study, 75% of infected dogs showed abnormal neurological signs, 64% had eye or vision problems, 42% had severe weight loss and loss of appetite, and 20% of the dogs had skin lesions. Fever, nasal discharge, and a cough were present in a small percentage of the dogs.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis can be successfully achieved by several different methods. One of the fastest and easiest ways to get a diagnosis is to examine the discharge from the nose or skin lesions. Cryptococcus is usually present in high numbers in the discharge and can be identified under the microscope. A blood test is also available to identify the fungus. The latex agglutination test is the most widely used and accurate of the blood tests and can be performed by a veterinarian. Identification of the organism through cultures or biopsies can also be used.

How is it treated?

Dogs are usually treated with oral itraconazole or ketoconazole. As with cats, these treatments can be expensive and must be continued for several months or longer to be effective. Due to the cost, toxicity, and long use required with all oral antifungal agents, the pet owner needs to work closely with the veterinarian to determine which treatment option is going to be best for their pet.

Because of the high incidence of an underlying immunosuppressing disease with cryptococcal infections, a complete work-up of all infected animals should be performed. The underlying condition should be treated to ensure the success of treating the cryptococcal infection.

How can you prevent it?

There are currently no vaccinations available to prevent cryptococcus. Cryptococcus is primarily only contracted from the environment, so the best prevention is to keep pets away from areas that are contaminated with the fungus, especially areas with pigeon feces. Transmission from infected animals to other animals or people is extremely rare and not considered a risk.

To walk or to sniff

I ate all my dinner tonight - more of the pot pie!!! Yummy!! When it came time for my walk I didn't want to go. Mom put on my leash but I just sat there. I guess I was tired tonight or something... I dunno.

But, Sally and Copper went and I just curled up on my doggie bed to rest.

My breathing has been labored tonight, especially if I get excited. The dogter didn't get the results of my blood work yet so hopefully tomorrow we'll know if this is a fungal infection in my lungs. Or not.

1/2 full

I'm half full mostly, cuz I'm eating half my food. I did that yesterday and my mom had to put in small pieces of cold cuts so I'd eat more. That worked and I ate a bit more 'til I realized I could just the cold cuts and leave the canned food. :D They were my favorite!

Last night, my dad took me to the dog park and we had a great time! He and I laid in the grass while Copper and Sally ran around and played with the pups. I snoozed most of the time and we watched the pretty sky as the sun got ready to set. I like going there, even if I didn't sniff like I used to.

This morning, we tried a new canned food that was like Chicken Pot Pie! YUM! I ate it all! Mom mixed it with the food that's good for me and it made mom happy that I ate everything and took all my meds.

After, I went to the couch to be with mom and she lifted me up to be next to her and that's where I am now while she updates my diary. (I have to supervise to make sure she gets everything right.)

Today, the dogter should call with results of my Saturday blood test to see if I have a fungal infection that's causing my breaths to be short. I hope I have one, cuz we can treat that. If it's negative, I probably have the "c" word, but we don't even think that word...

Yawn... okay, I'm going to nap to dream about bunnies and a fungal infection.

~Sybs

My day at the Dogter

Today started with me eating my breakfast!! Yeah! Then, I went out in the yard to do my private stuff and I stayed out there sniffin'!! Eating and sniffing!! B'ROOOOO!! What a lovely way to start a Saturday!

We visited the dogter today to have him check out my short breaths. My mommy and daddy were nervous and didn't know what to expect. I slept in the car ride over and was a really good girl the whole time... and we were there like forever!!

First, they took an xray to see how full my lungs were. They came out cloudy. This could be a couple of things. First, it could be a fungal infection so they drew some blood to send off to the lab. Second, it could be the "C' word, but we don't say that. We should get results on Monday.

There is something else that could be causing this. See, when I was adopted way back when, the dogter thought I had previously broken my back. On only a few occasions throughout the years, I have shown discomfort. Overall, it hasn't bothered me much.

However, now - and this could be from the barfritis - I am experiencing pain in my back. The dogter said it's possible I am not taking deep breaths because of this (as my spine would normally expand a little bit with each breath). SO - I'm on a pain med now. Sheesh, just give me the whole pharmacy, will ya???

After the vet visit, I had a PAWSOME day with my mommy and daddy. We went to an outdoor cafe and I was able to have some cold cuts from daddy's sandwich!! Then, we visited an antique store and I was able to sleep at the clerks feet and rest for a little while.

When we got home, I had the bestest present from my Snoop Dog Beagley pal Toby!!! He sent me some yummy foods and treats that are really healthy! Some help barfritis and some help my liver!! I am so grateful to have so much POP and my Snoop family!! I lub them so much!!

Then, I ate all of my dinner and went for a nice walk with Sally, Copper and my pawrents. It was a very pretty evening! My tail was waggin' but my mom said it was at "half mast" not straight up in the air. I dunno what that means, all I care about is that it was waggin'. I did get a little slow, so some of the way my dad carried me and then my mom. It was fun cuz I was getting cuddles and lovin' the whole time.

I'm tuckered out from my long day so am getting ready to curl up and take a good snooze... I'll dream of bunnies... Oh, and that the blood results come back as a fungal infection...

Deep breaths...

After I made my entry last night, I made mom and dad scared because I lost my balance and falled down. My breathing is still very short. (I'm not panting, just not filling my lungs up with deep breaths.) My pawrents talked to the vet today so I go see him again tomorrow.

There is good news today, though! I ate both meals AND went for my walkie! That must mean I'm feeling a bit better than yesterday, no? I'm still taking all my meds like a good little druggie Beagle....

We don't know what to expect tomorrow.

Lub,
~Sybs

Good news and bad news

The good news is that I ate BOTH breakfast and dinner at the right times today!! B'ROOOO!!!

I think this means I'm still a Beagle which is really, really good news because I was starting to doubt that. My pawrents are very proud of me because I had an appetite today and I've been a good girl taking my meds, too!

But, the bad news is that I only took a few steps out the door for my walkie. After I did some personal stuff, I just wanted to come back home. I didn't want to go sniffin' tonight, that's all, right?

My breathing still isn't with deep breaths. They're short and it makes my pawrents worried sick. They're calling the vet tomorrow and maybe we'll have some more news.

To Eat or Not To Eat... That is the question!

What can I say? Seems now sometimes I like to eat and sometimes I don't. The last few days I have not wanted my dinner. My mom tries everything and I turn my nose up and walk away.

But those last few nights, right before bed, I walk over by the fridge and look up at the counter where all the new cans of food are and wag my tail. My mom darts over and feeds me. :D Then we go outside, come back in and I sleep for the night.

This morning I ate my breakfast and took all my meds!!! Mom is relieved that I ate.

My breathing is a little labored and has been since I haven't been feeling good. The dogter said that could be from a number of things and we just have to wait a little longer to see how these new medications are doing. If I show any improvement, we can then try to narrow down what is wrong with me by eliminating different meds. My parents call tomorrow to give an update and they are hoping today will be my break through day and mom can call with a good report from this arsenal of new medications. Keep your paws crossed!

Yawn... I'm sleepy so I'm going to take my morning nap... see ya soon!

~Sybs