Stubborn Rottweiler

Presley was pretty restless last night and she wouldn't eat breakfast again this morning. She looked really blah.

I took her to OVRS for our 9AM appointment. I guess I was a little anxious because we arrived about 15 minutes early so we had to wait for a few minutes in the waiting room. Unlike last week, Presley was disinterested in her surroundings, except to sniff at a kitty that was in its carrier nearby. After I weighed her (78.3 pounds), she laid at my feet and dozed off a bit.

Whenever the vet techs have to take Presley in the back for x-rays, tests or whatever, I always have to pretend to go with her. Otherwise she won't go. She tries to sink into the floor so we can't budge her. This time was no exception.

After the vet tech Kelly took Presley's temperature (103.5) and CBC (complete blood count), she escorted us to Dr. Bannink's examination room and told me that Dr. B wanted to talk to me about some discrepancies in the CBC. She also explained that Presley has a fever because a dog's normal temp ranges from 100 to 102.

Whenever they bring you into a room, you know there is a problem. Otherwise, if there is no problem, they just send you on your way.

Dr. B explained that Presley's white blood cell and platelet counts were low. The white blood count was 600 and it should be 2000. She said this was from the Carboplatin that she was given during the first round of chemo two weeks ago. She also said they would not use Carboplatin again, because Presley is so sensitive to it. If Presley reacts well to the Adriamycin during next week's chemo session, then they would continue with that drug as the single source of treatment. Her blood work also showed that she does not have pancreatitis.

Dr. B wanted to admit Presley for 1-3 days to get her on I/V fluids, antibiotics and nutrients until her blood count was normal, or closer to normal. She said her white blood count may never be fully restored. Dr. B said Kelly would be back in with a cost estimate for the hospital stay and treatment.

After Kelly presented me with the estimate (there goes another couple grand!), she also gave me a "CPR or DNR" form to fill out. Kelly said this issue shouldn't come up during this hospital stay, but they wanted it on file in case something does happen. Basically the form asked for my permission to do CPR on Presley if she stops breathing or if her heart stops beating, or let her die. (DNR = Do Not Resuscitate)

I struggled with the form because I wasn't prepared for this question. Kelly left me alone to think about it while she checked on a "house" for Presley in the back. I finally decided on DNR because if Presley stops breathing or if her heart stops beating for some reason, then she must be really sick. And if she is that sick, then it's time to let her go.

Kelly came back in to get Presley so she could take two chest x-rays to check for pneumonia or lung metasis. We had to trick Presley again to get her out of the room. Stubborn!

I was starting to feel sad and scared about what was happening. After a couple minutes, Kelly brought Presley back into the room and I sat with her on the floor while we waited for Kelly to develop the x-rays.

I tried to sing to her, but every song I could think of made me want to cry. I started with "Can't Help Falling In Love With You" by Elvis. This was the first song I ever sang to Presley on her first night with us when she was only six weeks old and she weighed only five pounds. When she was little, I tried to cuddle with her when I sang this song but she never really liked it. She was too squirmy and wouldn't settle down. Today I only got to the third word in the song when a big lump in my throat developed.

I grabbed a tissue and tried another song: "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles. I got to the second set of "do-do-dooo-doos" before tears started welling up in my eyes.

So I switched it up and sang "Cocky" by Kid Rock. That did the trick. Presley slept while I sang and I was able to get through the song all the way twice before Dr. B came in to tell me that her lungs looked and sounded clear. Phew! She also wanted to check her urine for signs of infection, but I'll have to talk to the tech in the morning for the results.

Dr. B left and Kelly came back in. It was time to take Presley away for the night. This time, Presley really didn't want to go. She rolled over on her back and showed us her belly. I had to trick Presley again by saying "good-bye" and walking out of the room toward the hallway where Kelly wanted to take her. When I was out of sight, Presley jumped up and went into the hallway with Kelly, while I slipped back into the room and shut the door.

Kelly took Presley outside with another tech (Michelle) who was carrying a stainless steel bowl. I watched them from the window as Presley squatted to go pee. Michelle snuck up from behind and slipped the pan between Presley's legs. For some reason, that whole scene brought a smile to my face.

At 9:47PM, I called OVRS and talked to Jordan. Presley's temp is normal at 100.7 and her other vitals are normal too. She's on I/V antibiotics. At 6PM, she eagerly ate all of her dinner.

It sounds like Presley is doing a lot better. This is just another example of what a stubborn Rottweiler she is. Presley truly is a fighter.