Yesterday we received the results from the blood test for our dog, Princess. The results can be summarized as bad and even worse. On the bad end of the scale, she may have a canine immune disorder (Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia). If this turns out to be the case, she most likely will need to remain on drugs for the rest of her life, however long or short that may be.
On the worse end of the scale, Princess may have bone cancer. If that turns out to be the case, we most likely will have her euthanized in the next week or two, if she doesn't die first.
As our vet explained, it's difficult to know which diagnosis is more likely. These two conditions share many factors in common and so it is nearly impossible initially to differentiate between them.
As I mentioned yesterday, she is on prednisone. The vet upped her dosage because she didn't seem to respond in any measure to the dosage prescribed. If she starts to perk up a bit over the next several days, then it will indicate that she probably has the autoimmune disease. If her condition continues to deteriorate, then it becomes an indication of bone cancer.
It is hard watching her suffer so much, but we need to give the prednisone a chance to work. It generally takes upwards of a week before any major improvements might be seen. We are only at Day 4, so there is still a glimmer of hope that she might get back a bit of her old self.
Needless to say, this situation has cast a bit of a pall over the entire household.
On the worse end of the scale, Princess may have bone cancer. If that turns out to be the case, we most likely will have her euthanized in the next week or two, if she doesn't die first.
As our vet explained, it's difficult to know which diagnosis is more likely. These two conditions share many factors in common and so it is nearly impossible initially to differentiate between them.
As I mentioned yesterday, she is on prednisone. The vet upped her dosage because she didn't seem to respond in any measure to the dosage prescribed. If she starts to perk up a bit over the next several days, then it will indicate that she probably has the autoimmune disease. If her condition continues to deteriorate, then it becomes an indication of bone cancer.
It is hard watching her suffer so much, but we need to give the prednisone a chance to work. It generally takes upwards of a week before any major improvements might be seen. We are only at Day 4, so there is still a glimmer of hope that she might get back a bit of her old self.
Needless to say, this situation has cast a bit of a pall over the entire household.
Princess and your family are in my thoughts today. I hope that she's diagnosed with something that can be treated.
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