Our vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, just called to say that they have confirmed Widget’s diagnosis as the hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (see previous post). Brenda’s husband, Dr. Britt Culver, ultrasounded Widget’s abdomen this morning and also did an echocardiogram of her heart, and all her organs look good.
Britt, an internal medicine specialist, did the echo because Brenda had detected a heart murmur in Widget yesterday. Brenda was pretty sure that the murmur was because of the high packed cell volume in her blood, which makes the blood thicker and harder to pump. Her heart hadn’t been able to adjust quickly enough to the extra load, which caused the murmur. But only an echocardiogram could rule out other possible causes.
Widget’s PCV count was below 60% today, so the murmur is resolving and she is getting better. Brenda said she hadn’t pooped any more blood, although she’s still throwing up a little. All in all, Widget’s on the mend.
Probably the best sign is the "Widge-o-meter," her bobbing tail. When it bobs, she’s feeling pretty good. When it droops, she’s feeling bad. Brenda reports that this morning, the Widge-o-meter is bobbing.
Whew.
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