Trudis has corpulmonale

This just got in. I got a call from the Animal Doctor after their appointment at the U.P Vet Teaching Hospital. Its confirmed, our adopted dog Trudis has cor pulmonale. This is just what I got so far from the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library:

Cor pulmonale is right ventricular enlargement secondary to a lung disorder that produces pulmonary artery hypertension. Right ventricular failure follows. Findings include peripheral edema, neck vein distention, hepatomegaly, and a parasternal lift. Diagnosis is clinical and by echocardiography. Treatment is directed at the cause.

Trudis has pulmonary congestion

Just a quick update from the Secretary:

Our adopted asong pinoy*, Trudis has conjestion in her lungs. The Animal Doctor 's colleagues who saw the xray films via Facebook agree that Trudis' heart might  be involved. To confirm this, Trudis and the Animal Doctor went this afternoon to the University of the Philippines( U.P) Diliman Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Trudis will get  an electrocardiogram (ECG) examination and a second opinion from the Animal Doc's former professors and collegues.

Trudis is on antibiotic; her nasal discharge has lessened a bit.  She still hasnt put on weight  despite her five meals a day and pancreatic enzyme replacements. We hope we will solve the mystery behind Trudis' excessive weight loss and fight this diseases, whatever it is.

Again, thanks to the  Animal Doctor for being on top of this case. I am  likewise grateful for the outpour of support and positive vibes we are getting from all of you. Our online friend Jasper who lives all the way from UK has even offered to help us with the trypsin immunureactive test ( for pancreatic insufficiency) because its available in his country. Maybe our super dog friend Sweepy can fly Trudis over there? We will let you know  of our next move.

* another term for a mix breed( mongrel) dog in the Philippines

pUpdate on Trudis

A message from Trudis:

Awww, I am so touched by your thoughtfullness, my dearest furriends. Thank you so much for all the healing vibes you  sent me. I will try to get better for you, and besides I cannot be absent on our yearly christmas feeding of street animals. I love you all!

Message from the Secretary: 

To date, Trudis has the following symptoms, ranked from the degree of severity: weight loss, nasal discharge, dry crusty nose. Her previous elevated SGPT had normalized after treatment with Godex and antibiotics. The Animal Doctor ordered another bloodtest and urinalysis over the weekend, and the results do not seem to point to Canine Diabetes. So what is causing this dog to lose a lot of weight? Her amylase and lipase levels are below normal yet the test- Serum Trypsin-Like Immunoreactivity- which could diagnose  pancreatic insufficiency is nowhere available in our country. I've contacted tertiary diagnostic laboratories and even veterinary laboratories here in Metro Manila, nada. Nevertheless, Trudis has started taking pancreatic enzymes with her meals. If this will abate further weight loss, I wonder if the Animal Doc can go ahead and make a presumptive diagnosis. 

This afternoon, Trudis went to the lab to have her chest xrayed. The Animal Doctor also requested for an examination of her nasal discharge. Will update you with the results.  Thanks for all your concern!

P.S Thanks to the Animal Doc for taking charge of the situation, I am impressed with what you did today!

Oh-oh Trudis is in serious trouble!

Okay, it started two weeks ago, when Mom/the Secretary noticed that my older sissie Trudis was not herself ( Mom's used to seeing her bounce off the floor, you see). My sissie is having some nasal discharge and dry , crusty nose.  The Animal Doctor had some blood test done immediately and found out that Trudis had elevated SGPT, slightly low RBC and platelet count. He thought it was a case of viral hepatitis ( we are routinely vaccinated, so what's up with that?) and gave Trudis Godex and Amoxicillin. Another round of blood test showed that my sissie's liver is getting better.

But there is another problem. Trudis is losing weight- fast! She's a pig, eating 4-5 times a day now,sometimes eating papers and stuff she's not supposed to eat. Yet the bones on top of her skull, ribs and hips are showing. This is driving Mom bonkers especially since the Animal Doctor cannot tell yet what's the problem with Trudis.

                                                     Gums and tongue are still pink though...

 

Appetite and water intake still okay. 

Please pray for our sissie Trudis. There are other tests to be done to determine  her illness but  some of these are unavailable in our area.  We shall be coming back with an update.

We miss our online friends so much. Sadly we are unable to leave comments lately but we are so happy to read your posts, especially knowing that you and your humans are happy and well. We love you our friends!

                                                Love and Kisses, Scarlet

Whats up with me, Scarlet

Please click this link to read about the story of Scarlet's Wheels

I am still here! My Kuya Lowie is taking me out for our daily walk.

(Note: "Kuya" is a Filipino word which we use to call an older person or brother to show respect)

I got a little scolding after Mom found out what I did to my my head rest..

A few weeks back, I scared my Mom because I vomitted several times. The Animal Doctor immediately put me on the drip and had me x-rayed to check for foreign bodies in my tummy ( hmm i think they went overboard with this coz the next day I was okay teehee)

Catching some zzzzzzz's

 Around this time last year, Mom embarked on a seemingly impossible mission to get me a wheelchair. We remember with gratitude the love, kindness and compassion of our friends who in one way or another contributed to make my dreams of a wheelchair come true!

Thank you my friends, I miss all you!