An Update on the Update
So this is where things get a little technical. Only a little, because I don't really understand this stuff. Hey, I'm a social scientist, not a medical one, so this is very much the lay take on things.
First, Sophie had a great night. She went through her usual giving love for scratches routine this morning (the only time she is ever affectionate) and had plenty of rolls in the snow on her morning walk.
Second, She has stopped drinking an insane amount of water and has a good appetite. She loves her mushy food and eats up all her anti-Bs and liver supplements without a second thought. There is still no indication of jaundice in her eyes or gums. This is all excellent news.
This is the technical bit. We got the results of her liver enzyme tests. The normal range is somewhere between 95 and 145. Sophie's are somewhere around 1825. To me, this says she should not be standing or even living, but the vets assure me, she is still doing both.
To the vets, it means this:
When her blood was drawn, she was either in a flare-up or she was in acute liver failure. The latter is acutely terrifying, but not likely since she is behaving so normally, is still standing and alive, and has a good appetite.
So, it is more likely that she was in a flare-up, which means that her liver was/is probably inflamed. Judy, her vet, said that the first day of vomiting, Sophie's levels could have been in the 3000 range. Given the circumstances over the past few of days, it seems likely that she was on her way back down, rather than at the high point of her flare-up.
The Anti-B's (Amoxicillin and Metronidazole, for you medical junkies out there) and the Hepato Support should bring the inflamation down.
We also are having her blood tested today for Leptosporosis and Pancreatitis. She's vaccinated for Lepto, but there is still a small chance she could have contracted it. Neither of these are likely, but at least we can rule them out.
The plan of action is to monitor the beast and at the first sign of anything, rush her to emerg. If all goes well, she will go back in to see Judy after the holidays, for another round of blood work to see where things are at. Hopefully, it will be the latter.
In the meantime, thank you everyone for your kind words and support. Sophie has been deluged by the smooches I have been passing on from around the globe, and despite being annoyed by the attention (which is also normal for Sophie and a good sign), she seems to be doing okay.
First, Sophie had a great night. She went through her usual giving love for scratches routine this morning (the only time she is ever affectionate) and had plenty of rolls in the snow on her morning walk.
Second, She has stopped drinking an insane amount of water and has a good appetite. She loves her mushy food and eats up all her anti-Bs and liver supplements without a second thought. There is still no indication of jaundice in her eyes or gums. This is all excellent news.
This is the technical bit. We got the results of her liver enzyme tests. The normal range is somewhere between 95 and 145. Sophie's are somewhere around 1825. To me, this says she should not be standing or even living, but the vets assure me, she is still doing both.
To the vets, it means this:
When her blood was drawn, she was either in a flare-up or she was in acute liver failure. The latter is acutely terrifying, but not likely since she is behaving so normally, is still standing and alive, and has a good appetite.
So, it is more likely that she was in a flare-up, which means that her liver was/is probably inflamed. Judy, her vet, said that the first day of vomiting, Sophie's levels could have been in the 3000 range. Given the circumstances over the past few of days, it seems likely that she was on her way back down, rather than at the high point of her flare-up.
The Anti-B's (Amoxicillin and Metronidazole, for you medical junkies out there) and the Hepato Support should bring the inflamation down.
We also are having her blood tested today for Leptosporosis and Pancreatitis. She's vaccinated for Lepto, but there is still a small chance she could have contracted it. Neither of these are likely, but at least we can rule them out.
The plan of action is to monitor the beast and at the first sign of anything, rush her to emerg. If all goes well, she will go back in to see Judy after the holidays, for another round of blood work to see where things are at. Hopefully, it will be the latter.
In the meantime, thank you everyone for your kind words and support. Sophie has been deluged by the smooches I have been passing on from around the globe, and despite being annoyed by the attention (which is also normal for Sophie and a good sign), she seems to be doing okay.
Paws crossed!
