Another gutwrenching day. We didn't hear anything from the SPCA hospital until after noon. But when we did hear, it was from Dr. Gephardt, who was extremely helpful and patient. There was a lot of back-and-forth throughout the afternoon as the doctor and her colleagues tried to narrow down Miles' problem. They took several x-rays, and thought it might be pancreatitis (very frightening). Then they did an ultrasound, and the diagnosis shifted to colitis or IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).
We were pretty distraught, but fortunately Dr. Gephardt said we could come over and visit Miles. (Just to complicate matters, Jennifer was in jury selection this week, and this morning she got called to a court room where she was told they would likely reconvene on Monday. Since we're supposed to be out of town next Thursday and Friday, she filed hardship paperwork and will have to show up for jury duty again in October.) Jennifer got home, and we headed over. Dr. Gephardt met us in an examination room where she thoroughly and patiently went over the x-rays and the process of diagnosis Miles, which was helpful. She explained that right before we got there, the doctors were going over the ultrasound, where they discovered that Miles' colon wall are about three times as thick as they should be, for some unknown reason (although it doesn't appear to be cancer, fortunately).
Then she took us into the room where Miles was being held. (It was kind of an examination room with a grid of cages against one wall.) Poor little Miles was in one of the cages with an IV in his paw. He was completely wiped out and just faced the back wall of the cage for almost the whole time we were there. We took turns petting him and talking to him, but he didn't really acknowledge us. At some point when I was petting him and had my head up close to his and was talking to him, he slowly turned his head towards me for the first time and gave me a deep and powerfully sad look that just broke my heart. It kills me to see this proud animal so hurt and confused.
After we got home, the doctor called again. After more consultation, the doctors thought it might be wise to get Miles over to the San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, who are just a few blocks away from the SPCA. Hopefully their internists will be able to better pinpoint Miles' problem and come up with an effective treatment. However, the SFVS doesn't really have any open appoints, so we have to call in the morning and try to rely on the strong word of our vet to get us an appointment. If he gets in, they'll do a colonoscopy and maybe a biopsy.
So now we're just sitting around, trying to keep our minds preoccupied and failing miserably. I just keep flashing back to Miles straining to turn his head to look at me. It's all-consuming. I've raised him since he was four weeks old and it would be impossible for me to love him even one bit more.
Meanwhile, Owen (pictured) just misses his pal.
Man, I really feel for you guys. It's painful just to read this, much less be there with the little guy. I went through this several years ago, and it was really hard. I'll will be sure to give Marbles an extra squeeze tonight, and of course she will say, "What do you want from me monkeyboy?"
Posted by: tony | August 21, 2004 at 01:13 AM