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Wilbur Update

Wilbur blood pressure 1

Back in early March I had a post on how we found out that Wilbur had high blood pressure, and the implications for his health and in particular, the retina in his remaining eye. Since then things have only become more of a mystery. I recently took him back to see our internal medicine specialist in Burlington, Dr. Tanya Donovan, for a recheck after he'd been on his blood pressure medication for two weeks. That's Tanya with Wilbur in the photo above, along with fourth-year vet student Jennifer S.

But "recheck" sounds too benign, because he had also started developing edema, where fluid was developing in his belly and then migrating down one rear leg. The only thing that had changed was Wilbur starting the blood pressure medication, which in itself isn't known to cause those kinds of complications.

Here's Wilbur during part of the physical with Tanya and Jennifer:

Wilbur with blood pressure 2

And here he is during another ultrasound, where Tanya was looking to see if anyting had changed since his last scan that could explain the new signs we were seeing:

Wilbur blood pressure 3

In short:  Not really.

But the latest bloodwork that day showed his glucose levels were suddenly almost twice the high end of normal range. Was he now diabetic?

To confirm that finding, Tanya sent his bloodwork to an outside lab for a specialized test that can do a historical look-back at the previous 30 days of glucose levels in the blood. A couple of days later, on a Saturday, the results came back — and showed his glucose had been normal during that period. Odd indeed.

So that weekend Tanya asked me to take his glucose readings just to double-check the lab findings. We know how to do this because we have a glucometer from previous diabetes cases we've had in the past (Teddy and Sammy, among others). Wilbur's glucose level was perfectly normal!

His edema had also started resolving on his own, and by that weekend was completely gone. Tanya had already switched him to a completely different blood pressure medication, so we don't know if that was the issue or not. I'll be taking him back shortly for another recheck, and hopefully more answers then.

In the meantime, Wilbur is his usual happy, adorable self!

—

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The latest Shelter Challenge started Monday, January 7 and ends on April 28. Grand prize in this round is $10,000, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories … please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.

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11 responses to “Wilbur Update”

  1. Moon Rani Avatar
    Moon Rani

    Hey, Wilbur, no more mysteries, please. Just live happily and healthily and long.

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  2. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    The Mystery that is Wilbur! He’s on track now so prayers for him to stay in there. And for all at the Farm.

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  3. Leila K. - Western Wash. Avatar
    Leila K. – Western Wash.

    Darling little Wilbur! He’s so tiny and cute – I just want to hug him…..glad things are balancing out for him in his health issues.

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  4. Barb Ribinski Avatar
    Barb Ribinski

    Poor Wilbur. We can’t let anything happen to everyone’s favorite. (well, OK, my favorite!) It was very odd that all that happened, but it may have been the new blood pressure medication. At least, let’s hope so and hope the new one won’t cause any other issues. We’ll wait to hear an update on the little guy in a few weeks.

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  5. Tonya Allen Avatar
    Tonya Allen

    That’s just really strange. Let’s hope it was a one-time anomaly and never happens again.

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  6. Peggy S. Avatar
    Peggy S.

    Don’t you just hate it when you have all the tests and bazinga, everything’s normal. Go figure. Guess it’s called the Practice of medicine for a reason!

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  7. Penny Avatar
    Penny

    Love you Wilbur. Stay healthy little guy!

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  8. Mary H./Washington state Avatar
    Mary H./Washington state

    I am a fool for this little guy. He is such a charmer. I wonder if maybe he likes car rides and time with the girls at the clinic? Just a thought! Many hugs to The Wilbster!

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  9. Tonya Allen Avatar
    Tonya Allen

    That’s very strange indeed. Hopefully an anomaly that never happens again. And Wilbur, no more snacking on jelly doughnuts right before your vet appointment…

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  10. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie

    Good Morning dear Wilbur – gosh tests are just NO fun are they? I’m sure you got LOTS of hugs and were royally treated by the staff at the clinic though xoxox

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  11. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    That’s always the way it is (even with us humans)…get to the doctor and everything shows up normal. I’m glad Wilbur is feeling good now and hope all remains that way for this precious guy!

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