- The first time I saw Aliza
Not much to say about writing today. The last couple of days have been pretty much devoted to my heart dog, Aliza, who has been very sick. Thankfully, she appears to be on the mend, now. Aliza is ten years old and normally very healthy, apart from low thyroid which is controlled with medications.
The illness was very sudden. She was fine on Sunday, her usual self, begging for food like any good corgi. Then through the night she vomitted bile several times. I gave her some anti-nausea meds. (Aliza gets a sour stomach if it stays empty too long.) She refused food in the morning. Definitely a sick corgi.
Off to the vet, who suspected pancreatitis. But the blood tests all came back normal. So, maybe gastritis. Possibly she ate something that irritated her stomach.
I coaxed her to eat a little food. Later she happily lapped up her yogurt (given twice a day to prevent that sour stomach). Then through the night and early morning on Tuesday, she had bloody diarrhea. Not a good sign. I spent most of that night in a state of panic, waiting for the vet’s office to open in the morning.
Back to the vet. (Have I mentioned that I know this vet’s phone number by heart?) Because of the blood, the vet did x-rays to rule out a blockage. Nope. The x-rays showed a thickening of the intestines due to inflammation, but no blockage. That’s very good. Back to the gastritis diagnosis.
(This, by the way, is my life story when it comes to diagnostic tests for my pets. They’re always coming back normal even when it’s obvious that the dog or cat is sick.)
So, we came home again, with some meds to help her heal up inside. She doesn’t mind that–doggie pills are given wrapped in cream cheese in this house.
Today she seems some better. She ate nearly all of her breakfast without prompting. The diarrhea isn’t completely over yet, but . . . well, not to make a very bad joke, but . . . this too shall pass. At least it’s only orange (from the pumpkin I’ve added to her food for extra fiber), not bloody.
Aliza is the smartest, sweetest dog. So glad she’s starting to feel more like herself. Sorry to break it to you, sweetie. No agility class for you tomorrow. Maybe next week.
Meredith Mansfield, Author 
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