Friday, February 01, 2008

A Day Waiting On Wenzel


Most of today I have been waiting for news. There really isn't any yet. Wenzel is jaundiced and very sick. The meds they are giving her will either work or they won't. That will take a few days to find out.
Wenzel is seven years and a few months old. I remember the day two young girls put her in my arms and told me she wasn't as "rambunctious" as the other two dogs they were trying to find homes for.
I had told them I just found a puppy, and didn't need another.
I was very wrong.
Wenzel has become a repository for me for love. When there was no one around to funnel love to, there was always Wenzel.
A Wenzel kiss was worth a fortune if you were poor of spirit. A Wenzel kiss was a hard sloppy thing to ignore.
I have no more news.
I just miss my girl...
UPDATE- I just talked to the vet. She is suspected to have something called Lipedetc..etc..etc.., a disease contracted by drinking water that has been infected by wild animals or other infected domestic animals. The disease is found in standing water and I am thinking perhaps a stop at a rest stop on the way home from Washington, where Wenzel may have drank some contaminated curb water.
They are treating her as if that is what it is.
The vet sounded optimistic about her new blood readings, but was concerned about her vomiting.
All in all, there was more good news than bad, and I am less fraught now.
Weeeee.
DOUBLE TAKE UPDATE-- I just got back from the three hour journey to the vet and back. They believe Wenzel has a form of leptospirosis. She was better today than when she went in, but is still very sick. She went outside with me and walked around a bit, but she had that glaze we all get when feverish, not quite thinking spunky. She peed a god awful orange pee and returned inside to actually eat and drink a little. If all goes well, she will come home with me tomorrow night after the superbowl.
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What is leptospirosis?Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs.Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Leptospirosis is confirmed by laboratory testing of a blood or urine sample.

20 comments:

Stucco said...

{{{Sending good doggie karma}}}

Hope she gets well soon, Scott1. She's a sweetie.

LadyBronco said...

My doggie Brewster sends tail wags & puppy dog kisses Wenzel's way!

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

Still in my prayers Scott.

Anonymous said...

At least there is some hopeful news in what the vet says. I'll continue to keep both of you in my heart.

amusing said...

Fingers crossed.

amusing said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WH said...

Good wishes and many prayers to Wenzel.

meno said...

I hope that's what it is. It's a horrible feeling to not know what is wrong.

Thinking about your puppy.

Anonymous said...

Just passed a bad waterin' hole...Wenzel will be full of kisses again soon. Hang in there, both of ya!!

Jean said...

Gut feeling...she will get through this and come home to love you even more!

Sweeti said...

That's freaking scary, I travel with my dog all the time. I trained her to a potty pad so she doesn't need to go where others have gone to protect her that way. But now I need to avoid water puddles too.
I'm feeling like she needs a bubble.
I hope that Wenzel will be well soon, (((Hugs)))

Cheesy said...

Snow and Annie said their prayers to the ocean gods for wenz today... they told me it wasn't as much fun at the coast without her... and to get better QUICK woof woof~~~

travistee said...

I send my best thoughts to your little girl, Scott....

Anonymous said...

We hope Wenzel will come through this fine.

One of our furry balls of love died last Friday in D's arms. I really hope you don't have to go through that again for a long time.

Bob said...

This is positive news! Sending good vibes your (& wenzel's) way.

kario said...

I hope the next post is full of news that Wenzel is home and fully appreciating the tremendous care you took of her.

Thanks for passing along the information - as a dog owner, I am very grateful.

Best wishes for a zippy recovery.

Jeannie said...

Here's hoping for her continued recovery.

Anonymous said...

I'm worried.

Anonymous said...

Good news that it appears to be treatable. Hope Wenzel is safely home with you now.

Nikky said...

I'm hoping you're home with her now, the game is over, and I'm waiting to see a new post! Hopefully you're just too busy loving having her home to post!

Thinking of you both!