Gus is ill.

[angledge]

Last night I found out that my parents' dog Gus is very ill. From Spider-Dad's email:

Unfortunately, Gus isn't chasing laser pointers right now. Over this past weekend, he suddenly lost his vision and started bleeding from his gums and eyes. I got him into the vet Monday morning (nearly dead, I suspect) and they determined that he has a systematic infection, most likely caused by one of those tick-spread viruses, which include Lyme disease and Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever, along with a bunch of other less well-known diseases.

His symptoms included heavy shivering/trembling, which Dr Fowler characterized as chorea. She also opined that he may have been carrying this virus for months, but was able to resist until his platelet count (white blood cells) basically reduced to zero, which she told us was his condition Monday.

Gus is now being treated with heavy doses (10 x 100 mg tablets per day) of Doxycycline steroids and he seems to have rebounded somewhat, although unfortunately he has not yet regained his sight.

Google research based on Gus' symptoms leads me to guess he has ehrlichiosis. My parents are really upset, especially the Lil' Lucy Woman. I'm praying for Gus to pull through & to regain at least some vision.

Comments

[marasca.livejournal.com]

Even Max and Moggie are sending their good wishes. Gus is far enough away that they aren't worried about him chasing them when he gets better. ;)

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Gus loves cats! Gus even has his own pet cat - Tippy! That's right, my mother's pet is so spoiled that he has his own pet.

Currently my plan is make Tippy into the world's first seeing-eye cat.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I just realized I haven't ever posted about Tippy. He was a feral kitten that lived near my parents' house. My mom started feeding him last summer, & Gus LOVED him. The two of them play-fight, & sometimes sleep together, & reportedly Tippy will even ride on Gus sometimes (I've never seen that).



Tippy is completely unafraid of Gus, even though Gus is ~120 lb. & Tippy is ~10 lb. Gus could eat him in about two bites, but Tippy will rumble with him anyway. It's ridiculously cute.

[fizrep.livejournal.com]

This cat riding a huge doggy is a totally cute image. Here's some more added hopes for Gus!

Yeah, it's ridiculously cute.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I wish I had copies of some of the photos weedweasel took of the two animals boxing at Christmas. Tippy is usually the instigator - he will leap onto Gus' face or back & start a tussle. Gus wags his tail & yips at him, & will kinda paw at him. He will open his mouth & sorta bite Tippy (which looks like DOOM for the cat), but he never actually bites down. Tippy also plays pretty nicely - he doesn't seem to really lash out with his claws.