WRITTEN YESTERDAY MORNING:

Ziggi became ill once again on Tuesday with blood in her urine. We went to the vets and they needed to send it off to be cultured so on Wednesday Ziggi went into the vets for a urine sample from her bladder. She also had blood tests because she had the abnormal prothrombin time a little while back. She left the vets at 2pm after a short stay there to ensure there was enough urine. We went for a walk where she started to seem a little odd and wouldn't sit properly.

Got her home and she started to stand very subdued in the middle of the room and started to shake. This brought back memories of her before she got septacemia (sp?). It was so alike that I rushed her to the vets to ensure she didn't become as ill as last time.

During the 15mins at the vets she just got worse exactly the same as before. She was put on a drip and I rushed her to the overnight vets where she still is.

Last time she was at the overnight vet for septacemia she had blood in her urine so it looks like the same thing.

Ziggi has had so much wrong with her. I really believe that this is due to her breeding. I looked at her pedigree and her parents were half siblings and her grandparents on the other side were also half siblings. I urge anyone who is thinking about getting a pup to research the breeder and breeding as thouroughly as possible.

Ziggi has had so much wrong with her and she is only 4.
She had kennel cough turn into pneumonia at 4 months
Suspect lumps immediately after that.
3 cases of severe hives where her whole face and body was covered and swelled up.
Sceptacemia x2
Nose bleeds
Joint problems

I feel sick at the moment because I am just hoping that nothing is seriously wrong.

If anyone has any clues about what it could be they would be welcome.

WRITTEN YESTERDAY EVENING:

It has been a very long couple of days. I got a call from the vet this morning saying I had an appointment at the Animal Health Trust at 12pm and it would take me around 2 hours to get there. This was at 10am so not much time to get myself together. I had to pick Ziggi up from Wimbledon then get to my vets to collect the notes and consent form etc... and then get on my way.

Ziggi was really really ill. Was very weak and didn't want to stand up. She was whinging moaning all the time she was standing and would only settle if she was lying down. She looked in a huge amount of pain and I felt so sorry for her.

The vet at AHT was WONDERFUL and so so so good with Ziggi. Ziggi lay on my lap for the whole time except for examination as she was just so sore in her bladder.

The examination was very scary for me as so things cropped up that I hadn't thought of. 1 thing that was very concerning was that they do this test where they turn each individual foot over so that the top is resting on the floor. The dog should turn their foot back over immediately. Ziggi didn't at all which could indicate a neurological disorder. Her bladder was extremely tender and she was obviously in pain when her back was manipulated.

She has to stay there until they have worked out what is wrong. She was to have an ultra sound of her bladder this afternoon but she was too sore so is going to be having an anaesthetic tomorrow to do it instead.

Her coagulation is normal which has ruled out a coagulation disorder which is a relief as I was worried about her under anaesthetic if it was that.

Tomorrow she will be having a range of tests (depending on what is necessary and if they get a diagnosis). They include:
Chest and abnominal xrays
Abnominal ultra sound and contrast study (chemical that shows up on xray)
Possibly cystoscopy
Urine samples
Neurological examination

She is then having a rest over the weekend when we can see her.
Then Monday she will be having:
MRI
Rhinoscopy (endoscopy up her nose)

I feel at such a loss and so scared of what they will find. I just hope she will bounce back.

Update soon when I know more

Anna I am so sorry to hear that Ziggi is unwell again :( You and she have been through the wars a few times and am keeping my fingers crossed for a successful outcome to her stay at the vet's. Whatever the outcome you have made such a difference to her life and she really fell on her feet when she came to live with you.

Will be keeping you both in my thoughts and sending lots of positive thoughts to you both.

I'm really sorry to hear about Ziggi the poor girl :(  you must be out of your mind with worry.
As Harley says, you have made such a difference to her life and she is lucky to have you as her owner.

I'm keeping everything crossed for you both xx

The AHT people are absolutely wonderful - whatever the outcome, and the poor mite does sound horribly ill, you can be assured that she is in the very best hands possible.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you both.

I'm very sorry Ziggi is so unwell again. Poor girl. :( Fingers crossed for both of you.

Hi All,

Thanks for all your well wishes. It is really kind of you all.

There has been some news today. She has a really bad urine infection where there is loads of blood in her bladder and it is extremely inflamed. They are not sure if this is the only cause due to the slight concern neurologically.

I feel slightly better at the moment but also slightly stupid if this is just a urine infection.

Apparently she is going out for lots of pees and has eaten and is barking until she gets attention. Hopefully it signifies her getting better.

She is on antibiotics and anti inflammatories as well as the pain medication.

I am going to see her either Saturday or Sunday.

Thanks again

From a rather embarrassed Anna

From a rather embarrassed Anna

No need to be embarrassed Anna - there is absolutely nothing to embarrassed about for caring for your dog and doing the best for her that you can. You saw that she was ill and took her to the vets - that's being caring and responsible in my book :)

I hope she is on the mend now and bet you can't wait for your visit this weekend :)

Anna, don't be embarrassed be relieved. Sounds as if she is improving on the ABs and that is a good sign, at least you girl is not in such pain. Hope the news is good and the problem is just (I say just but a very painful just) bladder infection.

I am so sorry Anna your girl has not been well, i do hope she is on the mend, my thoughts are with you both.

Hayley

Sending (((healing hugs))) to you both......
Don't be embarrassed, better to be safe than sorry..... You did the right thing taking her in...
Hope she is soon home and enjoying cuddles with you,

Gabrielle x

I'm familiar with the turning over of the foot test - and I am NOT saying that I think your girl has it!  My Border Collie boy was diagnosed with spina bifida, and he doesn't have the sensation that should make him put his one back foot down properly.  I wouldn't ever be embarrassed about caring for your girl - she is lucky to have you to love her.  It does very much sound as if you are getting things sorted, I am so pleased for you.

hoping that your girl gets better soon - thinking of you both

x x

Thanks again to everyone who has sent their well wishes.

I went to visit Ziggi today. After a 4.5hour journey which should only have taken 2 it was great to see her almost back to her old self.

I did the "feet" test myself and was a bit sad to see it wasn't back to normal even though she is obviously not in pain :-(

She is having her MRI tomorrow of her nose and lower back region. Sort of hoping for a diagnosis but also not because of what the problem may be :-(

Anna