A little while ago, I rambled on about our doggie Ocean who wasn’t acting like herself. One mental breakdown on my part later, we were at the vets’ inside an incredibly tiny and stuffy office. After much poking, prodding of Ocean and sweating like overcooked noodles from ourselves, the vet recommended switching her food (she might have allergies to it) and doing blood work and stool analysis.
River, super-serious as usual
I’m not one to leave things to chance. We had just switched our doggies’ food thinking this new brand might be a better quality for them but, since Ocean was obviously poisoned not reacting well to it, it had to go. Without further ado, we threw out the old and went shopping for new. Meanwhile, I cooked some oatmeal, eggs and tuna (we’re vegan but our doggies are not and they love tuna) and I made her a little get-better meal for her…though River thought it was awesome as well.
My lovely girl, not feeling her best
Since our last vet visit Ocean, who has always been on the thin side, has lost over 4 kilograms. Translated, that’s about 9 lbs…a huge percentage of her already tiny weight. It might very well be due to allergies over food, but my overactive mind created all sorts of other horrific diseases that could also be responsible for this issue. Terrified, I waited on pins and needles for the blood work and analysis results.
Finally, after calling the vet so many times I memorized the number, they came in.
This is where it can’t be easy to be a vet, but it’s also super challenging to be a patient. While the stool revealed nothing wrong, the blood work was inconclusive. Ocean has slightly elevated kidney numbers which might indicate an infection, might indicate something as dire as kidney disease (incurable, by the way), might just be a reaction to her food or might not be anything at all. I banged my head against the wall while the vet tried to calmly explain all the possible scenarios. I have to give her credit because, while I freaked out, she patiently explained everything from Leptospirosis to cancer. I wanted symptoms, outcomes (bad and good) and prognosis…and I wasn’t exactly mellow while she explained all the dire consequences that my poor, fluffy Ocean could be facing. Worse, if possible, she could be contagious and be giving some of these terrible diseases to River.
At some point, I started to bawl and became incomprehensible, so lovely hubby had to take over. I know they’re only dogs, but my silly heart doesn’t listen to reason or logic. It’s head over heels with these two fluff balls and nothing but happiness on their side will do.
Our gorgeous boy
So, what’s the prognosis? Well, unfortunately, medicine with animals is challenging mostly because they can’t talk to us. Ocean can’t tell us what hurts. The good news is that, since the last time we weighed her, she’s put on about 3lbs (that’s great news in only 7 days) and that she had almost clear results on the blood work and stool sample. But the truth is, gentle reader, that we don’t know for certain. I’m really hoping that it’s just a bad reaction to her food and things will keep getting better but we won’t know until a few weeks go by and she gets really better.
Meanwhile, I will give her extra cuddles and kisses…and River as well so he won’t feel left out.
Beautiful girl
Taylor Grace 
I hope it was just the food. (I understand about the “just a dog” thing – they are our furry children!)
Awww! Thanks so much, Trent!
Something my wise old grandmother told me when I was only 11 but it has stayed with me all my life through many many pets: “If you find a food that your pet likes, stick with it.” Zoey the Cool Cat’s vet confirmed that thought when I first got her because she wasn’t eating the animal shelter food. The vet told me that she would eat enough to stay alive but to keep trying. When I found a food that she liked, for which she came running when she heard the package or can being opened, to stick with that food. It took a little while but she likes Friskies Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce Savory Shreds for wet food and Temptations Tuna, Shrimp & Salmon for dry food. She comes running from wherever she is and from whatever she was doing, including sleeping.
I’d say your grandmother was very wise. We switched, thinking we were doing a good thing and it backfired. Good for you that you found a food that brings Zoey running. That’s awesome!