Not feeling well

I am so sorry that everytime that I think of updating Penny's blog, she's not feeling well. Well, I did want to update the blog with pictures of her on the Oregon coast during Valentine's weekend, but Rick has all the pictures -- and only about six of them. Both R and I ruined our cameras that weekend. This picture is taken with a cell phone.

But a couple of weeks before we left for our long weekend getaway, Penny had blood in her stool. I took her to Dr. Heino and there were too many variables to really pinpoint what was going on. Was it her new food, which had grain in it and made her poop lots more? Was it the salmon oil which was helping her coat, but could have been irritating her bowels? Was it visit to the dog park, where one of her favorite games was jumping in the mud puddles while I yelled, Penny get out of there! I had brought in a fecal sample so Dr. Heino sent it in.

I also went back to her old food and quit the salmon oil. The fecal came back positive for giardia, so Miss P was put on antibiotics. Metronidazole, which is about 70% effective. I was to provide another sample when the antibiotics was done.

So, she took her antibiotics, we went to Bandon, Oregon, and Penny had a blast. Her poop was normal. But a week ago, she had a bit of blood two times in a row, right after I started feeding her fish oil again. Suspicious timing so I quit the fish oil.

I brought in a fecal sample on Monday.

I also talked to a friend about her food on Monday. Penny eats Evo, a very high protein food that has all sorts of apples, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, etc. Since I was concerned about food sensitivity, perhaps I should change her kibble to a more simple one protein/one carb diet. So I bought a small bag. I switched to her new food (15% new food/85% old food at about 5 yesterday.

Today, she woke up puking. The vet called with positive results again for giardia. I asked for an appointment and I told Dr. Heino what I am writing here. Before we give her more antibiotics (either a stronger and longer dose of the Metronidazole or something else), perhaps we should do blood work to see if there's something going on that's causing her to be more sensitive.

So, here I am tonight, waiting for the bloodwork. I'll call tomorrow if I haven't heard.

In the meantime, Penny is occasionally dry heaving and looks uncomfortable.

UPDATE: Penny has kennel cough and will be on a new kind of antibiotic.

Penny with pup

I went with a friend to Kennewick to get a dog who was found in an abandoned pig pen. My friend is fostering her. While I was gone, Penny stayed with Theresa, who she adores.

This dog, originally named Chai by the people who found her, but now called Olive by Erin and her partner, arrived to her foster mom's house a little shy, a little unsure of herself. Penny did everything she could to get the little dog (38 lbs) to play with her. She rummaged in her best friend, Opa's, toys for squeaky toys. She walked around with a squeaky ball and then dropped the ball at Olive's feet. She lay on the couch and buried her nose in the pillows.

Finally, Olive played with her. She was a little intimidated by Penny's size and the compromise was for Olive to be on the couch, with Penny nosing her with her hind feet on the ground -- mostly.

Here are some shots.

A few days later we went to the dog park and Penny was able to really wrestle with another 100-lb dog named Max. I am hoping we see him again so I can take pictures.

Pitbulls on Parade

Penny, not pictured her, attended Pitbulls on Parade for only part of the 10 - 3 day. She came with her dad to help me set up, but when her dad left, she wanted to leave too.

No CGC test for her, unfortunately.

Maybe we'll take a class!

(photo courtesy of Kirstin Belinda Konrad)

Penny has a pedicure

Penny is scheduled for a pedicure today. She's getting ready to take her CGC test at Pitbulls on Parade tomorrow. Good thing she's not being tested for how well she takes having her nails clipped -- she'd flunk! No expectations on how she'll do on the test -- we haven't been training much. But after taking the test, we'll know what she needs to work on.

I'll be there, too, showing little watercolors at my vendor booth.

Kind thoughts

Thanks for the kind thoughts... Penny is feeling much better and is not nearly so grumpy as she was Friday... While she was in low energy mode, and while she's getting "treats" (pills covered in cream cheese), she's learning a couple new tricks.

"Bow" is downward dog on command. At this point, I still have to put the treat near the floor, but we're working on it and she's getting it.

"Ready" is harder. I don't think she understands what I want her to do. What I want ready to mean is that she faces the same way as I do, ready to go. I don't care what side that she is on, I just want her at my side. I am having difficulty with this concept, but I'm going to ask my friend Erin tomorrow.

Ouch

Poor Penny!

Rick doesn't think this needs medical attention so I've been cleaning it with soap and water and then annointing it with benadine. I don't see an improvement so I am going to take her in tomorrow.

I am also picking up medicine for a UTI she was diagnosed with. Her urine showed high white blood count and then they cultured it, revealing a staph infection.

Ugh!

Michelle's picture

Life with Penny has been pretty uneventful. She goes on walks with Amber most weekdays and once a week, she gets picked up in a van and taken to a dog park where she can run, roll in the grass, and sometimes even swim.

After such an event, she limps a bit. Her surgeon suggested I give her a pain reliever. When I took Penny to the vet for her annual checkup, I told her regular vet that she limped and he suggested she lose weight! She's already quite trim compared to immediately after surgery.

She does get to go to the massage therapist with me. I get the massage; she just lies under the table, happy and warm. She loves Michelle. Here is a picture that Michelle took in her massage office.

So, all was well until I got a frantic call yesterday from Kirstin at Ideal Pet Stop. "Penny has an owie on her cheek," she said. And sure enough, she did. Could be an insect bite or some other little wound that she's rubbed to irritation. Now, I wash her face and then swab Benedine on her owie.