Pages

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Pocket....Sick Little Pocket!

Pocket was born February 24, 2019

When she had gotten her eyes open her siblings kicked her off the milk bar, and so she was then bottle fed and progressed into a very healthy sweet baby, that we just fell in love with. 

Actually EVERYONE that meets her falls in love with her. She has quite the following on Facebook.

Pocket is a snuggler and loves to just sit in your lap and be held. 

She is also quite active at times, running around in circles and chasing her ever elusive toys!

Pocket seems to grow quite slowly. Some days I see nothing and then all of a sudden she shot up an inch or two. 

Pocket loves her daddy and the two of them have quite a special bond. One that I am not a part of because I am the Bather, Medicine giver, Toe Nail clipper, disciplinarian, and all the other things that are not so pleasant. Pocket holds a grudge. The older she gets though the less time she holds that grudge. Her eyes tell it all and I know when she is mad at me.

This is her favorite chair when we are outside. She is not fond of my camera so I do have to take pictures of her on the sly. 

This was taken today. You can see she is maturing into a beautiful swan. 
So today was the big day. SPAY TIME!
I made the appointment and in the consultation part, I was trying to decide which package to go with. 
The plain jane, knock em out, and be done with it.

Or
Package two, that also had gas sleeping, (instead of the injectable knockout drug) and a blood panel. 

Or
Third option, all of the above plus and IV drip.

I decided to go with option two, because something in my head kept screaming:
BLOOD TEST! BLOOD TEST! BLOOD TEST!~

The voices did not shut up!

Right as I went to sign the paperwork, Pocket puts both her paws over the sheet of paper and looks at me, like, You are not going thru with this are you!?

Less than half an hour after I got home the doc called.

That is never good.

He said that Pockets blood work was not good and indicates kidney problems. 

He said there are a couple more tests to run to help get a clearer picture.

I am so glad that I went with the blood work, because, and I don't remember the words he used, but if they had went ahead with the surgery to spay her, it could of been disastrous. 

Now, Keep in mind:
Pocket shows no signs of being sick. 
She plays hard.
She is alert.
She drinks normal.
She eats normal.
Pees normal.

Speaking of peeing. She has what we call Excited Piddle, when she greats someone she really likes.

Ever since we got her she has done this.
Now when I would wipe up her little accidents, I noticed that the paper towel was still white. Her urine never did color the towel a yellow. 

I did not think about it.

Second off when she was about 3 months old she was sitting on my lap and I thought, I am going to look at your gums. 

They were pale.
Never a second thought!

I should of THOUGHT! THOUGHT! THOUGHT!

So after waiting all day for a return phone call that was purely tense, and stressful,
The call came.

Doc said that whatever is going on with Pocket is more than the clinic has knowledge to deal with. He recommended we take to WSU (Washington State University) in Pullman, WA.

Today I called to get the steps in motion to get her there, SOON!

I know nothing more at this moment. 

I have written out the results of Pockets blood work that was not in the normal levels. 
By all accounts she should not be able to function, but as I type this, she is laying next to Sassy chewing on her rope toy. 

I will keep you posted as best I can. 

Pockets Blood Results:

RBC: (RED BLOOD CELL COUNT) Low counts is signs of Anemia. Erythropoietin deficiency, which is the primary cause of anemia with chronic kidney disease.  Pocket: 2.54 (is Low) Normal: 5.65-8.87

HCT: (Hematocrit) Percentage of red blood cells and indicates the percentage of blood by volume that is composed of red blood cells.  Anemia results from having to few red blood cells.
Pocket: 16.9% (is low) Normal: 37.3-61.7

HGB: (Hemoglobin)  Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.  Low indicates anemia. Pocket: 6.2 (is Low) Normal: 13.1-20.5

LYM: (Lymphocytopenia)  Severe or chronic low counts can indicated a possible infection or other significant illness and should be investigated. Lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cell.
Pocket: 5.64 (is high) Normal: 1.05-5.10

PDW: (Platelet count)  A platelet blood count is a blood test that measures the average number of platelets in the blood. High or low levels can be a sign of a severe condition.
Pocket: 8.1 (is Low) Normal: 9.1-19.4

CREA: (Creatinine) Elevated creatinine level signifies impaired kidney function or kidney disease. As the kidneys become impaired for any reason, the creatinine level in the blood will rise due to poor clearance of creatinine by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels of creatinine thus warn of possible malfunction or failure of the kidneys. Pocket: 7.3 (is high) Normal: 0.5-1.8

BUN: (Blood Urea Nitrogen) Once the GFR decreases below 15, one is at high risk for needing treatment for kidney failure, such as dialysis or a kidney transplant. Urea nitrogen comes from the breakdown of protein in the foods you eat. A normal BUN level is between 7 and 20. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level rises. Pocket: 130 (is High) Normal: 7-27

PHOS: (Phosphate) Having a high level of phosphate — or phosphorus — in your blood is known as hyperphosphatemia. ... Yet in larger-than-normal amounts, phosphate can cause bone and muscle problems and increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes. A high phosphate level is often a sign of kidney damage. Pocket: 16.1 (is high) Normal: 2.5-6.8

Prayers would be greatful!