Good morning, my dear friends!
So the second year of the war began for us. It's a strange feeling. When I was a lecturer at the university, the new year began for me on September 1 (because the academic year begins on September 1 in our country). Now the new year starts on February 25th for me. I can't get into normal mode at all. Well, okay, whatever it is.
Actually, I wanted to tell you how Star is doing. Let me remind you that last Saturday she was diagnosed with ascites, hepatitis and toxoplasmosis. She became ill very sharply, and by the time we arrived at the vet clinic, she was already extremely weak, I was even afraid that we would lose her.
Two days of drips and a week of drug treatment gave good results. Already on the fifth day, significant improvements could be seen. In addition, she growled at Michelle and ate the catheter. I will tell you that this is a sure sign that the dog is getting better. I don't know how your pets do, but mine try to get the catheter out of the vein as soon as their condition starts to improve, they hate IVs.
Now there are still ten days of treatment ahead and a follow-up examination at the veterinarian. There are a few things to keep in mind here.
First, ascites is not treated. The only thing that can be done is to control the condition of the dog. Every day I measure the volume of her abdomen, so as not to miss the moment when the fluid begins to accumulate in the abdominal cavity. Then we'll go to the clinic and the vet will pump it out with a syringe. Yes, not a very pleasant procedure, but nothing can be done. In addition, she takes drugs to help her heart and liver.
And of course she will have a special diet. I have to say that medicated foods are expensive as hell. One 12 kilo bag of hepatic food for Star costs 1/3 of the monthly food budget for the other 17 dogs... But I am very lucky! I was able to buy it at 50% off due to the packaging being dirty. Oh heavens, you have heard my prayers!😁
The second issue that remains open so far is the need to test all other dogs and myself for toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is contagious. In addition, it may have a very long latency period (even more than a year) or not appear at all, creating incomprehensible problems for you (for example, visual impairment, neurological problems).
Of course, this is not at all a fact that someone else has become infected. All of us, myself and dogs and cats, have all the necessary vaccinations, but everything can be and I prefer to make sure that everything is in order.
