September 3, 2017

White Dog and Steve followed the drops of blood around the house in an attempt to find out who was in trouble and to help. It was YoYoMa lying on the hearth.

Steve carried him in and I took my Big Boy into my arms as we began the search to discover the problem. It was the bottom of his foot.

"It doesn't look like a cut." Steve said and went for a flashlight to give us better illumination. "It is not jagged or scuffed and it is not a puncture wound."

I shifted Yo in my arms. Gently squeezing, the blood was fresh and not infected; Yo did not flinch. "Does not look like a spider bite," we agreed. White Dog sniffed the hole. She pointed out that YoYoMa was walking on the foot and not limping.

We trimmed the furs away and thoroughly washed the area before applying ointment and a gauze pad and then loosely wrapping. We all agreed it was not an ER visit situation but that the injury merited close watching.

Momma wheels spinning, I opened a tab on the computer. "Don't you think it is strange that Yo has the thing on his front leg we had Dr. Julia look at last week and now this? YoYoMa is actually pretty darn graceful, it is not like he steps on things or stumbles."

I was searching as I spoke. One of the things I have learned as a result of growing Paws to People is the good information sites for issues related to the diseases that affect both pets and people. That knowledge has been a literal lifesaver to the White Dog Army members who come to us with some of those very illnesses.

YoYoMa has IMHA. I skimmed past twenty articles pretty swiftly, but suddenly pulled up at a scholarly publication which mentioned papillomaviruses associated with cyclosporine, which is one of the drugs that is part of my boy's life saving cocktail.

"Steve, these may be a side effect of one of his drugs," I called. Both he and White Dog rushed in to read the abstract over my shoulder. 

I quickly sent a message with links to two articles of Cindy, Dr. Julia's #1 who has become deeply involved in understanding IMHA (she lost her heart dog, Morgan, to this killer). I told her we would be in the office on Tuesday but wanted her to be able to review the articles ahead of time so we would all be on-board to discuss Yo's current predicament. I also left a message on the clinic's answering machine so that the front desk can call me on Tuesday first thing to set up an appointment.

Cindy immediately responded (did I mention how much I LOVE my vet and her incredible people?) Promising to review the articles and suggesting in addition to wrapping we restrict his walking especially outside to protect against further infection. She reassured that there was not an ER need.

Steve and White Dog conferred and came back into the office. "We are going to run out and get human infant socks to put on the foot," they told me. "We can still wrap but think the sock will provide better coverage." I nodded in agreement.

As Yo fights his continuing battle with IMHA anemia, we are fortunate to have a veterinary team that is responsive and willing to make us part of the team. Yo, as a result, I believe receives better treatment and care. We are VERY grateful.

A short while later, White Dog came rushing into the room. She and Steve were back. "Hey, guess what we found that might help provide some cushioning so he doesn't press on the injury with every step?" WD panted. She looked at Steve who pulled out a pack of press on human bunion pads. Like a doughnut, the pads encircle the open spot but provide a cushion of support around it.

"You two are awesome!" I complimented. "Let's go make YoYoMa more comfortable."