Buffy needs your prayers

[hheldorfer]

Buffy has been lethargic for a few days but still eating/drinking/peeing/pooping as normal, so we thought it was midsummer doldrums.  Today she took a turn for the worse.  She wouldn't eat and didn't even greet me at the door after work.  DH took her to the vet.  She has an abdominal mass that can't be identified/diagnosed without surgery, but we also found out she's diabetic.  This apparently showed up on a lab test done about a month ago but the lab never sent the results back to the vet.  (Yes, we're furious about that but right now we have more important things to worry about.)

They can't perform the surgery until her blood sugar is stabilized, so she's spending the night at the vet.  They're observing her, giving her plenty of fluids and starting her on insulin.  If her blood sugar is OK in the morning they will do the surgery.  If not, they will keep her until her blood sugar is stabilized.  If her blood sugar doesn't stabilize . . . you know what the next discussion is.

I'm still in shock.  How did we not notice this?  How did our wonderful little Cairn get so sick so fast?

Your prayers and good thoughts are desperately needed, friends.  

 

 

[bradl]

Thinking strong thoughts for Buffy (and her people). Hang in there and take it one step at a time. 

[Kathryn]

Also sending strong hopes for health, and also love to Buffy. She will be in my thoughts...

[remltr]

Hang tough Buffy. I am praying for you my furry friend. 

Sassy

[Sam I Am]

Hopefully her blood sugar will stabilize and they will identify the problem. So stressful, my thoughts are with you and your wee girl.

[Dempsy's Mom]

Sorry to read this.  We are all with you in spirit.  Buffy is in our prayers tonight. 

[utgaard]

I will be keeping Buffy and the rest of you in my thoughts.

[Malcolm's Dad]

Prayers, prayers and more prayers for Buffy. Hope they get her stabilized then they can continue investigating the other problem. Hugs to you Buffy.

[Idaho Cairns]

Helene, will be sending positive thoughts Buffy's way.  Not to worry about the diabetes and insulin--we had a diabetic Cairn (undetected until she was almost gone) and the insulin made an enormous difference in her activity and temperament almost immediately.
Will pray that the mass is benign and you only have to deal with the diabetes.
Let us know as soon as you are able.

[Islander]

Thinking of you. 

[hheldorfer]

Update:  Vet called around midnight and said Buffy's vitals weren't looking good so they felt they needed to go ahead and do the surgery.  They removed her spleen, which had quite a few nodules/cysts on it.  Don't know yet whether or not it's cancer.  She's still recovering this morning.  DH and I are going to visit her this afternoon.  

[Sam I Am]

Please let us know how she is doing. Hoping for good news. Hang in there Helene.

[Dempsy's Mom]

wow - so sorry.  Positive thoughts are with you guys and Buffy.  Hang in there. 

[Hillscreek]

Thinking of you Buffy and family.

[Kathryn]

Please heal, little Buffy.  We are all rooting for you...

[kjwarnold]

Praying for Buffy...

[sanford]

Oh, Helene, I'm so, so sorry. Keeping my fingers crossed for Buffy!

[pkcrossley]

what a thing to hit you all so quickly. a sick spleen can dump all kinds of poison into the system, so hoping its removal provides some relief. Keeping so many good thoughts in mind for you. all best. 

[hheldorfer]

Latest update:  Vet called and said Buffy is up and moving a bit but still groggy.  She's a tough girl.  I'm anxious to see my baby.

Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts.  Cairn friends are the best.

[kieiras mom]

Oh my !Thoughts and prayers for you and Buffy.Hang in there, cairns are so tough.Love to all . Keira and mom

[hheldorfer]

We saw Buffy this afternoon.  She's still very groggy from the pain meds but, considering it was only about 12 hours since she had surgery, she seems to be doing fairly well.  She walked around a bit and drank some water.  Poor thing looks utterly miserable, though.  It was like she was saying "Hey guys, it's nice to see you and all but I'm really tired."  The vet office was insanely busy this afternoon so we didn't get to talk to a doc.  One of the vets is supposed to call us later with an update.  No estimate on when she can come home.  Still, I feel much better now that I've seen her and had a chance to cuddle her again.

[pkcrossley]

i understand what you're saying. it is very comforting to see them and to know how much it means to them to see you --she knows you are there for her. poor thing. stitches do hurt like the dickens. i hope the doctors tell you something useful. 

[remltr]

Buffy,

Glad to hear you are doing a little better. It is still early, so take your time and do it right. You and me got some boy chasing to do when you are all healed up. 

Sassy

[hheldorfer]

Got off the phone with the vet a few minutes ago.  Buffy's blood sugar is down to 472 - a significant drop from the 700+ when she came in last night.  Her red blood cell count is still very low - 18% - but it's been holding at that level and at least not getting worse.  Pathology won't be back for 3-5 days.  The vet said his other concern is that Buffy hasn't eaten anything, so DH is on his way back to the vet clinic with cooked chicken to see if he can get her appetite started. 

There is a possibility she can come home tomorrow, if:  1)  blood sugar continues to decrease, 2) RBC doesn't decrease (increase would be fantastic), and 3) she begins to eat.  I emphasized that we don't want to rush it; if he feels she's not ready to come home we're not going to argue about it.  We definitely don't want her to come home only to return a day later.

He gave me a brief rundown of what will be required to manage her diabetes.  I'm sure we'll have no problem giving her the injections, but he suggested purchasing a home glucost testing kit.  My dad was diabetic and used a glucose meter, but that was years ago.  Has anybody used one and do you have suggestions on brands/types?  

Tonight will be spent combing the internet for info on splenectomies, canine diabetes, diets, insulin, and glucose monitors.

 

[pkcrossley]

thanks so much for updating us. poor baby, hope the chicken sparks some interest. maybe she just doesn't want to eat in the hospital. i've seen that in a couple of my dogs and cats.