Spell Saab

Joey’s always very energetic and very makulit even after she got spayed. Some people on online forums believe spaying or neutering your pet will bring about noticeable change in personality. I was so happy when Joey proved them wrong by being her lovable, happy self just a few days after her surgery!

About 2 weeks after her operation, she started sleeping for very long periods of time. I found it strange but also very cute. I thought she was like a cat. Jim and I wondered out loud if this was a late reaction to the surgery because research shows that spaying your pet helps calm them down. But it was very alarming when yesterday she was asleep for almost the whole day except for breakfast and dinner, and even then she only ate half of her meals which was very strange for my takaw baby.

After her meals yesterday she would cough and throw up a very small amount of clear liquid. I was so freaked out and I did research and assumed it was some sort of dehydration or heat stroke because this is her first summer ever. I wrapped her in a cold wet towel and made her lambing to cool her down. I thought maybe a visit to the vet wouldn’t be necessary after all.

This morning I gave her a piece of ice as a usual cooling down ritual even prior to the summer and then she started gagging and throwing up more and more clear liquid. I thought she must have choked on the ice but I was wrong and that never happened before anyway. It was 10AM and even if I knew UP Vet Hospital had their lunch break between 11AM-1PM, I had to have her checked immediately. To my surprise, the vet was very full even on a Monday. Apparently, it’s flu season for a lot of dogs. I wrote down my name and told the doctors I’d be back after lunch!

When I finally came back I only had to wait a couple of minutes before it was Joey’s turn to get a CBC. She cried so much even if she probably didn’t even feel much since they used a tiny baby needle to get blood. Mana kay mommy ang pagiging crybaby hehe. I waited an agonizing 10-15 minutes for the results. I got so disoriented when the doctor’s diagnosis was suspected blood parasitism.

This means within the last 3 months, a tick gave joey this disease. So strange nga because Joey is in my condo 90% of the time but within her 5 months living with me I’ve found 4 ticks on her already!!! Those scheming little f*ckers talaga!!! So I’m set on giving her Frontline, a treatment to prevent and kill ticks, once a month. Para naman I won’t be scared for her to play outside once in a while.

Shocking that her platelet count should normally be 200 and her test today showed that her count is down to 59!!! No wonder she’s been acting so weak :(

The vet has asked me to administer 5 different medications for the next 2-3 weeks. I’m bringing her back for a check up in 2 weeks to get another CBC test. Please pray she gets better! I’m confident though because I’m the best mommy ever!!!

So here’s my advice:

• Keep your dog cool especially now that it’s crazy hot!
• Provide an inflatable pool for him to play in.
• If you don’t have the space, do what I do and just wrap him in a cold wet towel twice a day.
• Give her popsicles (there are recipes online) or simply ice cubes will do.
• Make sure clean water is accessible. If you have one of those automatic refilling water thingies like I do, make sure to clean everyday to prevent bacteria.
• Make sure your dog’s vaccines are complete. I’m lucky Joey’s is because otherwise that tick could have done more damage. After completion, once a month checkups are best but at least once every three months should do.
• If you suspect anything out of the ordinary, take your dog to the vet right away. Better to be safe than sorry! Consultation fee in UP is only P150, CBC is only P450.

Love love love your dogs, please! If your dog is sick it’s possible you may get sick as well.</3