I noticed that Lilly did not want to get up and move this morning, but that is not totally unusual for her. She ate her breakfast, but never went outside. At lunchtime, I noticed she had some gunky stuff in her right eye, so I cleaned it out. She didn't even protest. Still don't know what is going on with the eye. When I got back home, later, to meet Scott to take him to the airport around 4:30, we finally got her to get up and go outside for a minute and she had a bad upset tummy. I told Scott, then, that I could tell she just didn't feel well. I did not feed her when I fed the others, but did get her to eat some ice cubes, then I left for dinner at the church and was maybe gone for an hour or a little more. When Helen and I got home, Lilly would not get up at all, even with all kinds of bribes. She had taken over the blanket I had down for Gracie, earlier in the day. I called my friend, Betty, who always is able to help me with "after hours" problems and she directed me to take Lilly's temperature. Of course, I had to go back out and buy a thermometer (should have already had one) and some Pedialyte. Her temperature was over 103º and Betty really felt I needed to take her to the ER because of the elevated temperature and since she wouldn't get up and walk. Helen and literally had to pick Lilly up to see if she could stand. She walked two steps and went down again. I called Patsy, Dr. Robinson's right hand lady, on her cell phone, and she tried to reach him, knowing he would probably meet me at his office, but she couldn't get him and knowing that his office is closed on Thursdays, I decided to head on to the ER and Patsy agreed. Somehow, Helen and I got Lilly to the car (we practically had to drag her, I'm afraid), lifted her in, and headed to the ER. Helen stayed at home to take care of the others since Gracie needs some special attention right now, too.
Lilly got a thorough exam and the ER vet was most concerned about the lameness. Lilly did walk, finally, but is very sensitive in the area of her right, rear leg and hip. She would not let the vet do a very close examination of her hips, unfortunately. She said that the inflammation and the pain could cause Lilly to run a temperature and cause the diarrhea. Rather than put her under anesthesia to do x-rays tonight, she decided to treat her for the pain until I can get her into see our regular vet on Friday. Lilly was diagnosed with mild hip dysplasia at 18 months old, but really hasn't had any problems, other than stiffness, since that time. She is 7 1/2 years old now. It could be something as simple as a sprain from getting up wrong, or it could be the hip dysplasia causing her problems. There is no way to know until she can be x-rayed.
I don't even know what time it was when I left here, but I think around 7:45 or so and we got home around 11 pm. I gave her the first dose of pain medication, which should help her, but will probably also knock her out. That's probably not a bad thing since she is in so much pain.
I cannot tell you all how many horrible things ran through my mind during this evening. I think I am simply paranoid after all the issues with Murphy and Zipper this past year. Of course, my husband is out of town, which has seemed to be the case every single time one of them has gotten really sick, and of course, it would be after hours at my normal vet and he isn't available tomorrow.
I'm sure Lilly is going to be fine, but I won't feel better until she feels better.
Please say a prayer tonight for my sweet angel. She has been so patient and so good through so much, and now, when things are finally settling down, this happens.
Logan
Reply With Quote
First time we've seen her run in a long, long time.
Bookmarks