Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Power of the Paw

The momma here. Normally, Lilo and I are asking everyone to pull together for a member of our blogger family in need. Today, however, I am asking for your prayers for Lilo.


Over the last two months, she has been battling allergies and what eventually became a respiratory infection. She has been on a few different antibiotics that have not cleared the infection. After her dental in May, her vet suggested we schedule soft palette surgery as well as nasal surgery. Her surgery was scheduled for July 1st. The morning of the 1st, I received a call from her vet stating that her white cell count was quite elevated indicating that the Baytril she had been on had not cleared the infection. She changed her antibiotic and released her to me Friday evening. On our way out of the store, Lilo started having a sneezing fit and stopped breathing, dropping to the floor. We rushed her back into the clinic thinking she'd had a seizure. A few moments later Dr. K came and got me and informed me that what happened was not considered a seizure. She had gotten worked up during the sneezing fit and couldn't get any oxygen. They gave her oxygen for about 20 minutes and released her to me on the instruction to keep her calm. The rest of Friday was uneventful. She ate dinner and slept through the night.


She was sluggish on Saturday which I attributed to the infection. Saturday afternoon I picked up some saline drops as suggested by the vet to put in her nose and help break up the congestion. Just after putting the drops in her nose, she again stopped breathing. The episode only lasted about 30 seconds to a minute before she came around and was acting like nothing had happened. For the rest of Saturday and Sunday, we took every precaution to keep her calm. I picked her up and carried her outside to potty and then carried her back in. Sat with while she ate so the cats would get her excited. My dad even set up a fan for her to sleep in front of to make sure there was plenty of air circulating for her and she wouldn't have to strain so much.

Late Monday morning while I was in the kitchen getting stuff ready for lunch, mom called my name from the living room. Lilo was lying on her side on the couch with her legs running in the air, mouth open gasping for air and glazed eyes. We tried everything to get her to come out of it. Rubbing on her to try and stimulate her systems, giving her a squeeze in case she was choking on something, even blowing in her face to try and get her attention. Mom held her while I scrambled to find a vet that was open on the 4th of July. By the time I reached Purdue on the phone Lilo was coming out of her "respiratory distress." (They can tell me it wasn't a seizure all they want!! I just hope I never have to see her or any other dog go through it again!!!!) Mom got dressed, we loaded Lilo into the car and headed the 30 minutes to Purdue. I'm pretty sure those were the longest 30 minutes of my life.

Purdue got us into an exam room right away and got us a vet student to take her history. While we waiting for them to get back with us on a course of treatment, she once again quit breathing while lying in my arms. The doctors came in and snatched from my arms and took her to ICU. They came back a few minutes later to tell me again that it wasn't a seizure. They told us that the combination of her nasal passages being packed with mucus combined with her elongated soft palette were causing her to quit breathing.

She has been in an oxygen crate in the ICU since about noon yesterday. There has been no improvement, but there has also been no decline. Purdue will be discharging her to my mom any minute now and she will be bringing her down here. We will check in with her regular vet to get a nasal culture and attempt to isolate whatever the hell this infection is and get it treated and then she will be heading to the VCA in Anderson where she will go back into an oxygen cage until we can clear her for surgery.

This will be the longest I have been away from her since she ate the rock!!! Those of you that know Lilo know she is a fighter, but her little body is so worn out from struggling with this infection and to breath for the last two months. PLEASE take a minute to say a prayer for her and help give her the strength to fight this and come back home.

When you go home tonight, make sure you give your fur babies an extra squeeze from us!!!!!!!


Until I know more. . . . .

Pugs, Hugs & Kisses
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

25 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Oh dear, we are so very sorry to hear this about Lilo. Please know that we are all pulling for her to be OK. You are doing everything you can for her. And you know the power of the paw is wonderful.

Hugs and Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Archie and Melissa said...

dearest jess and lilo
we are sending you all of our love and prayers.
we are holding your paws.
can you feel us squeeze them?
we will keep checking in on you!
xoxoxo
a & m

Kelly said...

Oh Jess, this is so terrifying. My heart goes out to you and Lilo as you work to get this figured out. We are praying for improvement and answers.

Love,
Kelly & Pearl

Noodles said...

Noodles the most Powerful is putting the power of her PAWS together to help out Lilo. Lilo is too important to us at A Bowl of Noodles to ignore her in her time of need. We hope and pray for a speedy recovery.
Love Noodles

Two Pugs in a Pod said...

Oh, POOR Lilo! (And poor Lilo's mama!) Stay strong, sweet one, and feel better SOON. We'll be thinking of you!

houndstooth said...

Please know that we have fingers and paws crossed here for Miss Lilo! I can't imagine how scared you must be right now, and I've lived with a dog who had epilepsy. Hugs to you and Lilo!

Bunny and her mom

Brutus, Ellie, Pippa and Otto said...

We love you and Lilo!! We just know she is going to be ok and back to her old self in no time!

Pugs & Kisses,

Yoda, Brutus & Ellie

Lorenza said...

My mom read earlier about Lilo but she could not leave a comment.
My paws are crossed and my mom is praying for her.
We have faith that everything is going to be ok.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza and mom

Two French Bulldogs said...

Oh my goodness all our paws are crossed!
Benny & Lily

Southern Fried Pugs said...

Prayers still coming your way for both Lilo and you. Isabelle has passed out twice from her trachea collapsing, so I know what you mean. It does look like a seizure. While there may not be the electrical activity of a seizure, it is still terrifying to see.
Sending love and strength to Lilo.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Dear Lilo and momma
We are stopping everything we are doing right now, so that we can send positive healing thoughts to Lilo.
The Power of the Paw is surrounding you,,, we are all here.
We are sending love,,
We know how much you love Lilo, you are doing everything you can,,,
We are expect a miracle.
love
tweedles

Sequoia & Petunia & Emma said...

I and the girls will pray for sweet Lilo. Lilo is such a great girl and we know you will be doing everyhting possible to help pull her through this infection. We are so sorry she has to battle this but we are here for both of you.

Hugs
Sequoia Tuni Emma and Jenn

Puglette said...

oh dear! i am so sorry to hear that lilo is not doing well at all. we are holding lilo and you and your family close in our hearts, i can't imagine the panic you are going through yourself.
hold on, prayers and healing thoughts are on the way!
hugs,
judy

Anakin Man said...

Our paws are crossed for Miss Lilo.

Anakin had to have his larynx tied back and Miss Lilo's complications sound similar to his.

So please try not to worry because it sounds like she is in good hands and the docs will take excellent care of her.

We know you miss her- We are sure she misses you-
She will be strong for her surgery-
Are they going to tie her larynx back or do resection of portion of elongated soft palate with nares.

We went for the latter initially but ultimately had to do the tie back-
You will find she has more energy and breaths with more ease.

Please look ahead and think of how she will thrive in the long run.

She will be fine -
The power of the paw works

We will check in so please update

Lucy-Fur, as typed by Dr. Liz said...

Fingers, toes and paws crossed here!

-Dr. Liz and Family

Two Pitties in the City said...

We are so, so sad to hear this. We're thinking of you guys and hoping all these good thoughts pull her around.

Totally Timmy said...

How scary for everybody..sounds like your vets know what they need to do so that is good. All our paws are crossed here and hoping for the best outcome possible.

Winston Wilbur said...

oh my gosh, Lilo! We are praying for you tonight. We are sending healing vibes your way. How very scary and stressful. We are sending power of the paw and all of us are joining paws and praying. Keep us informed on how things are going.

Dana Orsborn said...

Jess,

Daisy and I are sending sexy vibes to Lilo.
We hope she feels better soon!

-Dana & Daisy

Hesta Nesta said...

So sorry to hear about Lilo. Sending all our love and prayers that she pulls through.
Love PJ, Elvis, Lily, Pinkie & The Fonz & me, Jo xx

Meredith LeBlanc said...

Lots of love & healing to Lilo and you!!!

♥♥♥
Meredith & Scarlet

Payton said...

I wish it was under much better circumstances that we were meeting, but I just wanted you to know that all my best puggie prayers are heading your way!
Love,
Payton

Sandy said...

You all are in my prayers. There is nothing like the helpless feeling when the babies are so sick. Hugs to you.

Minnie Moo said...

Oh Lilo,

Our thoughts are with you!!!!

Muah,

Minnie Moo and Lincoln too

Elgor82 said...

I hope Lilo is doing better! Keep fighting, baby girl! Prayers and Pug Hugs sent your way ...