Sit pretty

Molly spent several hours at the vet today having her stimulation blood tests for Addison's Disease. She had not eaten for about two days, and had been getting weaker.

They gave her some more water subcutaneously, to avoid dehydration for another day. But food was not going into her at all.

I brought her home. Eventually I got a little water in her, and one anti-nausea pill. She ate a few bites of special dog food. Later, I gave her some chicken broth, and she had maybe a little more than half a cup, split up in two servings.

She is very, very weak. She still shakes, I think from adrenaline rushes, and there has not been any improvement. I am just getting enough in her to keep her alive, I think.

I should have the results of her tests tomorrow, Saturday, or Monday. I think if they aren't in by Saturday we will be in the emergency room for IVs for fluids and nourishment. Once she gets a positive, definite diagnosis of Addison's Disease, they can give her the shot she needs on a monthly basis for the rest of her life, and the vet says she will improve dramatically. However, the shot would not be safe if the diagnosis is not correct. So we have to wait. This is frustrating, but I would not want her to be given the wrong medications.

All markers indicate Addison's, so assuming that is what her final diagnosis will be, I will be home waiting, all set to rush her up to the vet's office for the shot. The medications will treat her condition, but not cure it or eliminate it. There will be emergency room visits and medical scares off and on the rest of her life. We will deal with it.

Meantime, Baby is enjoying getting the treats Molly turns down.

 Molly is expected to respond well enough to be able to lead a normal life, most of the time. She should be able to resume her 3-mile daily walks. Once she gets her shot, I need to take Baby for a walk. She is just bursting with energy because of the lack of walks. Donuts have not slowed her down yet.

So we are not out of the woods. Molly is home, but very weak. She is unstable on her feet, and can barely focus on anything. I hope we can get her the medications tomorrow. This is a very serious disease, and not very common. Beagles are not one of the breeds prone to it.

She was shedding more than usual this summer, and that was a symptom. She was lagging on walks, and that was also. I wrote those symptoms off as a result of us having the hottest summer in 100 years. I had no idea those were two of the symptoms of Addison's. When I talked to the vet, I said, "Well, if I had called you and told you that Molly was shedding more, you probably would have told me to brush her." Vet: "Exactly. We did not have enough information until she refused food and got weak."

Molly says "thank you" to everyone who has left sweet wishes for her. She said that when she gets better, she will work on her penmanship and try to write thank you letters. I think, though, I could do a better job teaching her to type. I have seen what she does with a pen.