Please keep my Zoe in your prayers-

[grillywarren]

Barabara~

Thank you for the update. I have been checking the board

religiously, and it was great to get some good news. My

family is continuing to pray for Zoe. We think of you

guys often throughout the day. Hoping for more good

news. Give Zoe a big kiss from all of her friends here...

and tell her we are rooting for her!

Be well

Ellie

[RockysMom]

Barbara,

Yes, please give a kiss to Zoe from the Rockstar.. I am glad to hear her biopsy was negative also I am sorry I didnt make it in sooner, I havent known what to say, I have just been lurking around checking up to see how she is doing.

We have you and Zoe in our prayers every night. We are praying that she be strong and that she fights like the tough Cairn she is, to get through this.. Sounds like she is making an attempt at beating it, walking along with her IV in and all. Thats a good sign, and I believe that. It must be very difficult for you.. Hang in there

.....From my family to yours, we wish you all the best, and please keep us updated. We are all praying for her wellness, and for you to have your baby back and raring to go!

{{{{{Much love}}}}},

Pat, Wanda, Rocky, Azreal and Felix Brooks (Yes, the kitties too!)

[toomanypaws]

More prayers for little Zoe! I know this must be so hard to have to visit her and not bring her home. That is positive that her spirit is high. I not only pray for Zoe, and strength for you, I pray for the Dr. that he is able to make the correct diagnosis to treat Zoe.

[sbudd]

Just wanting to let you know I was thinking your Zoe today...please keep us posted!

[Cybenator]

The Dean family sends Major MoJo.... Hope everything ends well!

[pookiegirl]

UPDATE

Hello to All,

We were able to bring Zoe home yesterday. The doctors still do not know what is going on with her.

Her liver enzymes are still elevated but decreasing slowly. Her protein level was up to 4.2 with normal value being 4.5.

Zoe's weight is down somewhat and her distention is less so indicating some resolution of the fluid accumulation.

The doctor is concerned she is not eating or drinking very well. She hoped with Zoe being stable at this point that maybe her appetite would improve at home.

She was sent home on antibiotic, Pepcid and spironlactone ( a drug to help reduce the fluid accumulation) and instructions to return ASAP if symptoms begin to worsen or if appetite does ot improve within 48 hours.

Zoe is happy to be home but her appetite and drinking remain poor. She is very lethargic, but it is difficult to tell if this is because she is feeling so poorly or if it is because of the rain we are haveing here today. She is generally very lethargic even when she is well when it it rains.

This Thursday, Zoe is scheduled for a repeat abdominal ultrasound and more bloodwork. Hopefully, the leptospirosis titer will be back by then so we will at least be able to rule that diagnosis in or out.

Dr Weaver, her vet at Tufts, plans to maintain the current treatment unless the ultrasound or labs indicate something else. She will not perform any exploratory surgery on Zoe's abdomen unless symptoms worsen.

I do believe all the positive thoughts and prayers, as well as our love and the expert medical care at Tufts has contributed to Zoe's improving.

I know we are not out of the woods yet, but it helps us to know we have such a strong support system behind us.

We are forever grateful,

Barbara

P.S. If any one has any good suggestions as to how we can entice Zoe to eat we would really appreciate it. We have been trying to offer her roast chicken, turkey etc. but she is not very interested.

[sbudd]

Iams has a new "Savory Sauce" that Zoe might be interested in. I know that Iams is a good brand.

[Apollo8it]

When Apollo was recovering from his illness last summer, I boiled skin-less/bone-less chicken breast in water and also made rice, not the minute maid stuff.

[Brigette]

Yeah! I am so glad it sounds like Zoe is better, I've been checking constantly to see if she is okay.

[Guest Guest]

I read the forum often, but am not yet registered...I have been praying for Zoe and your family ever night. My suggestion for food is cooked chicken livers. They've got good flavor and contain a lot of protein and iron, which should help a little. Not sure if my input helps, but I'm thinking of you!

[grillywarren]

Barbara,

I was so glad to read that Zoe is home. I bet she is thrilled

to be back home. The chicken sounds like a good idea. Do you

have one of those roasters? I think the "smell" factor may help

her build up her appetite. Also, rice cooked in chicken broth is

good. Good luck. The prayers will continue for Zoe and your

family. How is the puppy doing?

Take care.

Ellie

[kayharley]

I am so glad Zoe is home with you. That right there should bring her spirits up. I guess one step at a time is all you can do for now. Please give her a hug from Winnie, Maddy & Elliott and keep us posted. Prayers will continue on....

[Toto times 2]

Hi Barbara

I'm glad you have your baby home.

When Smokey was so sick our vet suggested a mixture of cooked lean ground beef and rice. As an alternative the vet also suggested ground chicken with rice. She boils the chicken to remove the fat and drains the ground beef. You can make a couple of cups (1 c. rice and 1 c. ground beef) and refridgerate it. I would just microwave small potrtions of the mixture for a few seconds to warm it up a bit. She also sugested adding a bit of beef or chicken boullion to the mix and serving tiny bits frequently.

I found feeding a bit with my fingers got him started. I also used pureed baby food (lamb) until he started eating. When I was desperate for him to eat I would smear a little of the baby food on his lips and he would lick it off. Sometimes that stimulated his appetite.

We will be keeping you in our hearts and prayers,

Barb, Ghillie, and Smokey

[Pepandfriend's mom]

I am glad your Zoe is home. When my dogs have been really sick, they often would eat a little baby food mixed with some water, and I could sneak in some additional stuff with it since it was all mixed together. (My guys seem to prefer chicken baby food!).

Have been following your posts and send all our best thoughts for your little girl.

Pam, Pepper and Henry

[MikeC]

Barbara,

I'm so happy that Zoe was able to go home with you and that things seem to be improving. A mixture that I have used to get my dogs to eat is chopped chicken breast with brown rice and diced cooked carrots. Sometimes I would add a tablespoon of Heinz chicken gravy as it has no fat and the dogs really love it. Please keep us posted on Zoe's progress. I am still praying for her.

MikeC

[hallswel]

Barbara

I am glad your baby is home. I think the roaster idea is a good one and also hand feeding Zoe. As for water you might just try ice chips for her to suck on.

Sending good thoughts your way

Liz

[Darsey]

Barbara - We are so glad to hear that Zoe's conditions has been improving, we will continue to keep her in our thoughts. You both have been so strong through this! I hope her appetite improves soon. I will continue to check for updates - Darsey

[suedelu29]

I get so emotional when I read the notes on Zoe, that I am just thrilled she is at least back at home. She is going to feel much better being with you . Please let us know of any improvement.

[Scully'sMom]

I haven't been able to get to a computer since last night and I was so happy to see that Zoe is home with you. Please know my prayers will be continuing for her on the road back to good health.

The best I can say as far as food goes, when both of my Cairns had a stomach problem, I would also boil some very lean ground beef as well as rice (not instant). Both of them forgot they were sick and lapped that stuff up!

I'm sure that with being home and being around your love will help her a great deal.

Joanne, Rick and Scully Squires

[Herdman90]

God is great! I have prayed that it is His will to provide a diagnosis and a cure, and to heal Zoe. Pray hard.

[Toto times 2]

Barbara:

Just wanted you to know I think about you and Zoe everyday and you often come to mind through the day. Hope she is doing well.

Barb, Ghillie, and Smokey

[Eliz222]

I am happy to hear that Zoe is now home again and that she is doing a little better. I will continue to pray that Zoe makes a complete recovery.

[Sharon Querel]

I know this sounds pretty obvious but did the vet check her kidneys?

[pookiegirl]

UPDATE

Hello,

We took Zoe back for her abdominal ultrasound and lab work today.

Her appetite had not improved and she is not drinking eihter.

The vet took her back to do the ultrasoun, and brought her out less than 5 minutes later.

She told us Zoe has developed a prominent right sided heart murmur.

They did an echocardiogram STAT.

It showed a very big thickening of her mitral valve which is on the left side of her heart.

Iit is completely unrelated to the fluid on her abdomen.

Additionally, some of her liver enzumes are up again.

Very upsetting and disappointing news.

the vet says they really have no idea what is going on with Zoe.

She has consulted with 5 other vets at Tufts and everyone is scratching their heads.

They are repeating the CBC (complete blood count) to see if the WBC (white blood count) is very elevated which would indicate a massive infection.

Beyond that they do not know what is causing the thinkeninmg of her heart value.

Initially, they were going to add another antibiotic, and put her on a special kind of dog food to help with her severe constipation.

If she did not improve, they were going to hospitalize her again, placing her on IV antibiotcs (heavy hitters) and fluids.

I was very worried, since she has not really eaten or drank much since Monday.

While we were sitting there she started dry heaving, no vomit.

I told the vet I wanted her hospitalized tonight, I did not want to wait and see if the new drug or food would work.

So she is back in the hospital.

The vet said if there are no answers with the labs or improvements, we wouldhave to start discussing what is viable at this point.

Please say extra prayers and send positive thoughts to our Zoe. We really need all the help we can give her.

Barbara

[Scully'sMom]

Dear Barbara,

The tears are running down my cheeks - I was so sad to hear this latest news about Zoe. My heart just breaks for her and for you. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers.