Back at Last

Greetings!  I first want to apologize for the length of my absence.  As I am sure those of you reading this blog can understand, there are times that our canine and feline family members demand our full-attention.  So, I thought I'd share my story by way of explanation.  You can expect monthly posts (sometimes more frequent!) from here on out.

In January, my 13 year-old yorkie, Bose, fell gravely ill.  It began with an upset stomach (described in my previous post) and quickly progressed to collapse and severe bradycardia (slow heart rate).  His symptoms didn't seem to rule in or rule out a cause.  In fact, they had veterinarians across the country stumped. 

After Bose's diagnosis with cancer, we continued searching for the cause of his symptoms.  Still unanswered were the nausea, lethargy and bradycardia.  A couple of nights following Bose's ultrasound, he collapsed near death.  I rushed him to my clinic and administered treatment for systemic shock.  I began researching some lesser known causes for his symptoms.  Although he didn't fit the normal characteristics of a dog suffering from Addison's disease, I thought I should test him anyway.  Addison's disease is when a dog's adrenal gland fails to produce enough cortisol.  To my frustration, his test came back negative.  I continued to consult with fellow veterinarians, and we decided to run a more comprehensive test for Addison's.  This test looks closer at the levels which indicate Addison's disease, and in this test, Bose's levels were inconclusive.  Because Addison's explained all of his symptoms, I began treating Bose for Addison's, and he responded remarkably well.  He gets a shot once a month and meds every other day.  Slowly, he has come back to us.

When he felt a little better, we began chemotherapy for his bladder cancer.  Because of the steriods he takes for his Addison's, he cannot take the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for his bladder cancer.  We hoped that his cancer would fall into the small percentage of TCC tumors that actually respond to chemotherapy.  Sadly, the chemotherapy did not shrink the tumor.  Bose is still asymptomatic of his cancer.  So, for the time being, we are just watching the tumor.  And I am cherishing every day I have left with my special guy.  That is the story of how I have spent the past few months nursing Bose back to health.

Taking Care of Our Own

Happy New Year!  I apologize for the gap in my posts, but like all pet owners, when one of my own is sick, my world comes to a standstill.  My little, elderly yorkie, Bose, came down with a severe case of gastroenteritis that has led to the development of an ulcer.  His first symptoms showed up the week of Christmas after he snuck a bite of a breakfast burrito.  Despite a bland diet, he has had a hard time bouncing back.  I took him to see the radiologist to check him for pancreatitis, and during the abdominal ultrasound, the radiologist found a mass in his bladder - a type of cancer known as transitional cell carcinoma.  While this type of cancer is typically slow-growing, it is inoperable and terminal.  This incidental finding added insult to injury and broke my heart.  Bose holds such a dear place in my heart, knowing now that he is dying has been difficult for me to process.  His GI tract is on the mend, and he has finally started taking treats from his favorite baker, Lisa at the Farmer's Market.  But, while he is not yet showing symptoms of his cancer, I know that it is lurking.  And I face the uncertainty that cancer brings with it.  Once Bose's tummy heals, he will begin a regiment of anti-inflammatory medication and chemotherapy to help stunt the growth of the cancer.  But for now he continues to heal and to fight.  And I am thankful for each day I have my perky companion by my side.

I wanted to share this experience because as doctors we often approach patients with clinical precision.  When our own pets get sick, it turns the "vet-side" of our brains off and we become like all of our patients - patients.  It is such an important part of my job as a veterinarian to empathize, and to know and personally experience how stressful and heart-wrenching the uncertainty of a pet's illness can be.  Walking with my pets into the twilight of their lives makes me a better doctor, I think, because it reminds me of how deep the emotional current is that runs beneath every relationship between a pet and a human.  

So, I have spent the past couple of weeks nursing my little guy back to health and have been the patient rather than the doctor - following medication regiments, strict dietary requirements and bestowing as much TLC as Bose will tolerate.

Tune in this weekend for my next blog post.