Moose is our March 17, 2013 Pup of the Week

This week we received the sad news that our friend Willie, who I have written about recently, had a recurrence of his cancer.  Right now his parents are counting on a miracle.  But they shouldn’t give up hope.  Because we do have proof that miracles happen.

Moose has a blood disease the is quite deadly.  I think it is the same one that took Mollie from us.  It is very bad and hard to cure.  Less than a month ago Moose had a recurrence of this disease and his his prognosis was quite dire.

On February 24 his Mom could tell, the way Moms can tell with us Pups, that he wasn’t feeling well.  She started him on a bland diet hoping that it would help.

She took him to the vet who tested his blood.  A normal PCV should be between 37 and 55 percent.  Moose’s was down to 18 percent when his Mom dropped him off at the vet and had risen to 23% when she picked him up.  He was diagnosed with Autoimmune hemolytic anemia.  The doctor recommended a blood transfusion, but it was very costly, and the odds weren’t with Moose.  His Mom, who is studying to work in animal medical care decided to count on prednisone and a miracle.

Over the next four days his numbers continued to sink as low as 12.   Moose was lethargic, not eating, not playing, no energy at all.  His parents were hand feeding him anything they could think of to make him eat:  Cheeseburgers, minute steaks, liver, cheese,  along with prednisone and Doxycycline for his health but his condition was not improving.  His mucous membranes turned from pale pink to white, a very bad sign. On the night of March 3 his breathing became labored and his parents prepared themselves for his inevitable trip to the bridge.  

But the next day Moose rallied.  He ate that night without having to be hand fed.  There was some pink back in his gums.  For the first time in a week he showed interest in dry food scoffing down Sydney’s supper as well as two small hamburgers.  Moose’s parents prayed he was taking baby steps back to good health.  

A couple of days later Moose was back to being himself even charging into the snow to play.  He didn’t have the energy to do so for long but the will was there.  His appetite came back stronger than ever and his parents began to believe his was on the upside of the disease.  

A week and a half after his parents brought him home prepared for his trip to tbe Bridge Moose was doing very well.  They took him to the vet on March 9 and his PCV levels had risen to from 12 to 29, still in the danger zone but rising, and his total protein was up to 7.4.

While Moose needs prayers to keep improving the fact that he is  still with us is a miracle, one both Moose and his parents deserve.  He received hundreds of prayers from his social network friends and his parents are convinced they aided greatly in his recovery.

So, while Willie, and some other friends might need a miracle, never give up hope, because sometimes, like with Moose miracles do occur.  Keep it up Moose, you are an inspiration to us all.  And we will keep praying for miracles.