Brief Update On Katie

She seems to be doing better every day! She's a little stronger and when we're out in the yard, she'll bark at the neighbors again. She'll also lead us to the fence to see what's going on in front of the house.
Katie's still not eating the dog food, but she's been eating the Plainville Natural Turkey Breast that Daddy and Aunt Pat get from the supermarket deli. She'll occasionally eat the potato bread, and a couple of the cheese crackers Daddy likes. Aunt Pat has boiled some ground turkey breast and some instant rice that Katie will eat when she feels like it. It's yummy. It's all yummy. The best part about Katie not eating dog food, is that Daddy and Aunt Pat have to give us some, too! Chloe and I have to test it to make sure its okay for Katie.
Daddy got a new type of dog food from the Vet today too. It's a prescription bland diet-I didn't see anything bland about it when I had a taste. Neither did Chloe.

Aunt Pat took Katie to the Vet last Thursday. He thinks Katie's doing better, too, and he doubts that her illness was due to the bacteria that the Emergency Vet had drawn blood to check. He switched her antibiotic, but he didn't have the medicine in the office to dispense. He wrote a prescription that Aunt Pat took to the pharmacy to get filled. Just like the humans get their medicine! The paper tag on the bag the medicine came in had a notice of privacy that needs to be signed. I hope Katie doesn't get into trouble for not signing it. It does say Counsel, new customer on the bag, and their privacy policy that needs to be signed and returned to the pharmacy. First off, Katie doesn't know how to write. Secondly, she doesn't have thumbs, so she can't hold a pen unless she puts it in her mouth. She could maybe make an "x", but a paw print might be better. There isn't enough room for one on the form, though.

The Vet stopped the antibiotic today, though. It was getting obvious that this medicine was irritating Katie's tummy from the, well, deposits she's left in the back yard. Katie keeps eating grass in the back yard, and her stomach is just irritated enough that she's thrown up a couple of times, too. But, she's been right back at the water bowl afterwards, and wanting to eat, so the humans know it's just the grass and not something else. A girl has to get her fiber somehow, right? Especially since Aunt Pat pulled her bean plants out. Just because a girl likes beans so much I ate them right off the plant, and well, maybe I walked on some of the plants so they accidentally came out of the ground, doesn't mean the whole plot is ruined.

Katie's Had a Rough Weekend

Saturday, she stopped eating and got very lethargic. Chloe and I were very concerned, and so were Daddy and Aunt Pat. Daddy took Katie to the Emergency Vet. They said her liver and kidney tests were elevated which could have been from dehydration, and she might have an infection. Daddy chose to have her admitted so they could watch her closely; give her I.V. fluids; give her medicine in case of infection and to calm down her tummy. They didn't think she'd be discharged on Sunday, but probably Monday. She still wouldn't eat, so Daddy took some of Katie's regular dog food and some of the boiled beef and rice mixture to the hospital for them. They told Daddy that the staff was falling in love with Katie, that she was so sweet and cute. We knew that, of course, and it was nice to know Katie was minding her manners even when she didn't feel well. Katie's lab values got better on Sunday and Monday, and she did eat a little on Monday. The people at the Emergency Vet called on Monday morning, they said that Katie could come home. They said she looked sad, and might eat better and feel better once she got home.
Chloe and I were just as worried as Daddy and Aunt Pat. Chloe sprawled across the table by the living room window, and I stuck very close to Aunt Pat all weekend.

Needless to say, we were all happy to have Katie home. About five minutes or so after she got home, Katie had licked off the bandage where she'd had her I.V. In fact, she licked so much hair, and swallowed it, she threw it up a few hours later. Katie wasn't listless, or lethargic, but she was really tired. She slept for a few hours, then got up and went outside with me and Chloe. When Daddy got home from work, he gave her some of the potato bread, and some sliced turkey breast with her medicine that she kept down just fine.
Today, Katie seemed fine this morning. She took her morning pills as usual with her potato bread, and a little of the beef and rice mixture. But Katie didn't want a potato bread treat after going out this morning, and she turned her nose up at the hamburger when Aunt Pat offered it to her for lunch. Aunt Pat had boiled some boneless chicken breast because she thought it might be easier for Katie to digest. Plus, our regular dog food has chicken in it, so she thought Katie might like it. She only gave Katie a little, and Katie gulped it down like there was no tomorrow! I had to get my nose in to sniff and sample some, of course, and I'm teaching Chloe how to do the same, so she had a little sample. Katie may have eaten it too fast, because she threw up about a half hour after she'd eaten. The regular Vet, as well as Aunt Pat, thinks the antibiotic is still upsetting Katie's stomach, and the humans shouldn't give any to her tonight or tomorrow morning. Katie's not lethargic like she was Saturday, in fact, Katie barked to go out, and was barking at the neighbors like she usually does. Aunt Pat has to take Katie to the Vet on Thursday for a follow up appointment, so we'll see what he has to say then.

We're Back From the Vet...

and he was happy about how Katie was doing. He thought that since Katie hadn't vomited again, it confirmed that the medication was making her sick. They took the urine specimen that Daddy got this morning, but didn't say anything about it. They also took some blood from Katie. They'll let us know if there's anything to be concerned about. Of course, while Katie was being examined, I had to edge up to the table and stick my nose in. The humans thought it was funny, but I wanted to see what was going on. They did give her her rabies vaccine, and I got my distemper shot. Heck, I'm always in good temper, especially if there's a biskee around! I also gained a pound since my last visit. It has nothing to do with all the biskees I've been eating. The Vet didn't say that there was anything wrong with my weight, so I have no reason to change my habits. Once it cools off a little, I'm sure I'll be more interested in playing fetch other than for a few tosses in the morning.

Aunt Pat stayed home, since Daddy wanted to be sure Chloe didn't get into any trouble. When both humans are gone, she gets a little nervous and will pull the garbage bag out of Daddy's can. She's also been known to chew things...like Daddy's baseball cards and photographs. But, Chloe behaved herself today. She ran to the front window when we left, and Aunt Pat said that she stayed on her table, watching. She barked at the Mailman when he came, but didn't bark when Daddy pulled the car in. She didn't start barking until Aunt Pat told her we were home.

Aunt Pat regretted that, since Chloe barked at anything moving outside once we got home. The neighbors across the street were outside with their dog, so I think Chloe was barking at him. We met Mrs. M last week

Katie's Trip To the Vet

Yesterday, Katie seemed fine in the morning. She took her pills with some bread and even ate a little of the boiled hamburger and rice. But a little later in the morning, Daddy noticed that Katie was behind one of the chairs in the living room throwing up. So, Daddy called the Vet and they wanted to see her. He also had to get a sample of her pee, but wouldn't you know, she'd already gone. Daddy followed Katie around the yard with a hamburger patty keeper from Tupperware hidden in his pocket. It's a good thing Aunt Pat had one in her cabinet that she wasn't using. Daddy wanted to make sure he got one before he left for work, so the nice lady at the Vet's office suggested that he take Katie for a walk. Sure enough, Katie had to go while on their walk so he took the sample to the Vet on his way to work. Aunt Pat took her over. The Vet thought that Katie's vomiting could be due to the medication she's on for her infection, so he said to stop it. He's also a little concerned that Katie showed a little sugar in her urine, and the protein levels were elevated. But, the sugar could be from the stress of the infection. He wants to have another urine specimen for tomorrow's appointment, and may want to do some blood work to see what's going on, depending on how she looks tomorrow.

I think the Vet was right that the medicine was causing Katie's stomach upset. She hasn't had it today, and Katie hasn't thrown up! She's eaten some of the boiled hamburger and rice, and has had some of the bread she, well, we all like so much. Heck, we all like the boiled hamburger and rice, too. Aunt Pat has to give us some in order for us to eat our regular food. I'm also becoming partial to yellow and green beans I pick fresh from the garden, or Aunt Pat drops when she's in the garden, but that's another post. We've been worried about Katie so we haven't eaten much. She's been acting fine. Tomorrow, I have to go to the Vet, too. I have to get vaccinated. That means shots. But, at least I'll get to go for a ride in the car and free biskees.

Poor Katie

she's not feeling too well. Last week, after Katie's pee stain, Daddy noticed some other stains on the rug in the other room, most likely from a butt scooting doggie. Katie's had problems with her anal sacs before and she's the only one of us that's ever butt scooted before. Somebody even wrote a song about it! Butt scooting that is, not Katie. Anyway, Daddy took her to the Vet, who cleaned out her anal glands. Later that day, Katie was still butt scooting outside and a little on the rug. So, Daddy took her back to the Vet who said that they were infected, and gave her an antibiotic and a spray to use. She hasn't been eating the dog food, so Aunt Pat has been making her some boiled ground beef and rice. She's been eating the potato bread, too and taking her pills, until today that is. Last night and this morning, Katie hasn't wanted to take her pills. And, this afternoon, when Aunt Pat got home from the doctor, she found that Katie had thrown up on the rug, in all places, the dining room. So, Aunt Pat called the Vet, who said not to give her anything else today, and to watch her in case she vomits again. Aunt Pat, or Daddy will call the Vet tomorrow morning to give them an update. They really care about Katie.

Katie's been mostly resting this afternoon, but she played with a toy and went outside once Aunt Pat got home. She's even barked at the neighbors, too. Needless to say, the humans are worried about Katie, and we are too. Chloe and I will go over and sniff her every so often, just to let her know we care.

It's been a very busy week in our house, and Chloe and I have been working like, well..dogs. But, that's another post.

Katie Loves Her Humans...

but she has an odd way of showing it! This afternoon, Aunt Pat noticed that the edge of one of the pee pads was wet after we'd come in from outside. Sometimes Katie can't wait until the humans are done with whatever they're doing, or she doesn't want to go outside if the weather's bad or it's too hot, or so on. Anyway, when Aunt Pat picked up the pad to throw it out, she noticed this stain on the rug.


Don't you think it looks like a heart? I do. Aunt Pat thinks it was just another accident on the rug because I may have moved the pads when I walked over them. I know it's Katie's way of showing our humans that we love them. Sure, we sent Mommy a birthday card last week and we hope she had a happy day. But we couldn't sign it or anything. Let's face it, we don't know how to write, and it's a little hard to hold, much less control a pen without thumbs! So, that means we have to express our feelings another way, and, well, piddles are something we do a lot. So, why not give the gift that keeps on giving! Katie is a very caring little girl. I know Chloe agrees with me too.

I don't care if Aunt Pat says the stain could also be the continent of South America or Africa instead of a heart. Otherwise, why would she take a photo of the stain before she cleaned it up?

If Sleeping Were an Olympic Event...

we'd win gold medals for sure! Sure, we'll run around in the back yard, play with our toys, bark at the neighbors etc-all great exercises for sure. But, we're really good at sleeping! (I'm also great at asking for biskees) , but that's another post. We'll nap in the morning while Aunt Pat is on the computer. We'll also nap after Aunt Pat has her lunch and is either on the computer or doing other things. Then, after dinner, once we've done our business, we'll nap during the evening until either Daddy gets home from work or Aunt Pat goes upstairs. Aunt Pat says I snore pretty loudly, but I'm not the only one. Katie snores, too! I don't think we'll be watching the Olympics, though. Aunt Pat would rather watch baseball, and the timing of the programs would probably interfere with our nap time.

Chloe is doing well with her commands. She can sit-most of the time when Aunt Pat tells her to.
She'll come, but when we're outside Chloe sometimes gets distracted by a scent or a bird in the trees that she'll forget to do her business until Aunt Pat calls her to come in. Then she'll sniff around and do her thing before she comes in. Sometimes she just wants to stay out a little longer, but will come in when Aunt Pat uses the "firm" voice.

Sometimes, I'll want to go in before Chloe or Katie. I'm patient, though, and won't sit at the door and bark like Katie does.