June 5, 2011

White Dog and YoYoMa rushed to the door at the sound of Pumpkin pulling into the driveway. They howled for the benefit of those not at the ready (including folks two counties over):

"Puff is Home!"

And then there she was, a little timid at the fanfare that greeted her, but as glad to be home as we were to have her.

She spent all day at the vet hospital outside of the oxygen chamber and experienced only a bit of coughing. Sent home with steroids to keep the inflammation down and her usual heart medicine, both Dr. Julia and Dr. Reese believe our girl will be safe and pain-free as we still wait on the culture results. That will tell us about the antibiotic best suited to fight the pneumonia...and hopefully will add no surprises.

The cytology report of the fluid samples from her bronchial tube seems consistent with chronic bronchitis, either the allergic type or inflammation that has remained hidden and active from Puff's heartworm (not heartworm but another residual effect). Dr. Julia says that we may never to able to differentiate for certain but both are treated the same way...with continued low dosage of steroids.  (I so hate not knowing conclusively)! Although Still Another White Dog's heartworm WAS very severe, Dr. Julia believes that there is more likely an environmental allergic cause.

Needless to say, every time our girl has coughed since this afternoon I have noted where she was and what she was doing and have had a tiny panic attack. We have heard of humans who had to give up their pets because of allergies but never imagined that a pup might have to give up her humans for the same reason! I am just not prepared to even consider that possibility.

Puff goes to see Dr. Julia on Friday when all of the tests should be back. Until then, we remain in contact twice daily. She called tonight to check on her #1 patient, and reassured me that there will still be some coughing. I sat with White Dog a while ago and seriously considered how bare we could strip the house in an attempt to make it hypoallergenic...not sure future guests...or Steve...or Michael would agree on what we two decided.

For right now, all is well and the WDA is whole again. Thank you for shining your powerful healing energies on our Puff the Magical...you made all the difference. She's home, even if there are unanswered questions.

Let's all have some jerky and celebrate families being reunited. To your health!