Snoopy Update

Things have been quiet on the Red Dog Blog due in large part to the intense care that's been required for Snoopy since his IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) diagnosis the week before Shiva died.  While many of you may be unfamiliar with this nasty canine foe, it behooves you to learn about it just in case.  Surprisingly common, the disease is described in detail here at our Knoxville Dog Health Examiner page. 

Although we're far from out of the woods, Snoopy continues to progress slowly, and his prognosis remains good.  He's a far cry from the pitiful, trembling creature we brought home from the ER after two blood transfusions and several days in critical care. Here he is that first night back home:

The boot covers the IV catheter placed for his daily blood draws...which I had to clear and flush with a heparin saline solution every four hours for the first three days.  It was hell.  The soft collar, of course, was to prevent Snoopy from chewing the boot.  Needless to say, he was not happy.

Fortunately for all of us, he's come a long way and seems to be holding his own.  He's gaining back his weight and enjoying some evening car rides.  It may be months before he's out of the woods, but every day above the ground and enjoying life is a good one.  Big thanks to Dr. Brandi Dukes for the quick recognition and diagnosis, and to Dr. Mitch & co. for the lifesaving care and treatment.  We are lucky ducks to have two such awesome vets and their teams nearby.

Special thanks to all of you who've sent thoughts, prayers and kind words to Shiva's Mom and me as we deal with the loss of this blog's namesake while simultaneously doing our best to keep this guy alive.  We promise we'll post more, as we owe the Red Dog the photographic retrospective and tribute she so richly deserves.