I picked up Brynn this morning at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman and got back to the ranch late this afternoon with her. Alayne took these photos of Brynn unloading from the trailer and then showing off her latest hair-do. (She was clipped at the hospital for her ultrasound imaging.)
The news on Brynn is mixed. She definitely has a kidney infection, which we had started treating even before she left for WSU with an antibiotic called enrofloxacin (trade name is Baytril). But an echocardiogram at the hospital showed a possible infection in her heart, so she is now on a separate antibiotic for that, too.
Brynn did have another fever spike over the weekend but she quickly came back to normal. Why she spiked when she's on the antibiotics we don't know, but of course that is alarming. Hopefully it means she just needs longer treatment, and in fact she will stay on the Baytril for an entire month.
We knew she had a small hole in her heart, called a ventral septal defect, or VSD, from an echo- cardiogram we did when she was three weeks old. Sometimes VSDs from birth actually close up on their own as the heart grows along with the rest of the body; other times they stay the same size, and sometimes they get larger. Well, from the latest echocardiogram at WSU last week, we learned the hole in her heart has grown and is now categorized as 'moderate to severe.' The cardiologist also thinks Brynn may be experiencing the backflow of blood in different chambers and valves in her heart.
All that, combined with the possible infection -- I say "possible" because it's difficult to determine for certain, thus her official diagnosis lists this as "possible bacterial endocarditis" -- means we need to be paying as much attention to her heart now as her kidneys. Brynn's specialist asked us to bring her back in a month for another echocardiogram, which should indicate whether we successfully treated the suspected infection.
And speaking of kidneys, it turns out she's down to only one kidney now, the left one. They could not find the right kidney on ultrasound, and during endoscopy last week the doctors could not detect any urine coming down the ureter from that right kidney. We knew from ultrasound when Brynn was a few weeks old that her right kidney didn't appear normal. When she was at WSU back in February for surgery the surgeons could not get a good ultrasound image of it then, either. So we suspected it had shut down and/or shrunk in size. Brynn also has one or more stones in her left kidney. What's more, the radiologist's report said "the left kidney is severely enlarged for the age of the patient."
This means she is now officially in chronic renal failure, too.
We could get depressed by these findings, but Brynn remains her happy, loving self. And as long as she's happy, we're going to take our cues from her. When I went into her hospital stall this morning, she realized it was me and walked over to start running her lips over my beard. I mean, that's just the way she is. Through all of this, she has never acted sick or looked puny. So as long as she's not ready to give up, we aren't, either.
(Click on photos for larger image.)
i think you two are just the coolest couple. what big hearts the both of you have to be able to care for such special animals. i enjoy reading about your crew everyday. keep up the good work!
Posted by: Kate | May 23, 2007 at 06:15 PM
Dear Brynn,so sorry to hear she has all these problems but great that her spirit is healthy.I too suffered from endocarditis in my heart several years ago along with a bout of pnemonia at the same time.I know how hard I had it with the antibiotics,6 weeks in a nursing home with an IV tube and cart attached to my arm.I'm sure it's different with horses but any infection in your heart isn't good.I wish Brynn all the best and keep taking good care of her Steve & Alayne,you can tell she really loves you guys.Give her a scratch on her "sweet spot" for me,that face she makes always cracks me up! God Bless the RDR and everyone who resides there. Love,Elaine & the 4 boys
Posted by: Elaine Miller | May 17, 2007 at 10:57 PM
hang in there, brynn! you have a lot of love behind you.
Posted by: m | May 17, 2007 at 01:09 PM
There is a line in the poem, "The Peace of Wild Things," that I find comforting when any of my pets are sick. It is
"...wild things do not tax their lives with forethought of grief." Brynn doesn't know she is ill, so she doesn't worry about the future. We must try to be more like "wild things". Be happy in the present.
Posted by: liavc | May 17, 2007 at 12:51 AM
I'm so glad that Brynn is feeling good despite the reports. She's stylin' with the latest in cuts, & I'm sure the other horses are going to be envious of her summer 'do. I hope she'll continue to feel good, as that's the most important thing. She's so fortunate to be at the RDR where she gets all the love & attention with the best of everything!
Hugs,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | May 16, 2007 at 11:19 PM
I agree....don't give up, Bryn! You have so much life in you and lots of love to give. Steve, what a warm welcome you received from her when you arrived to take her home! Sending lots of hugs and best wishes for an improvement in Bryn's health.
Posted by: Nina | May 16, 2007 at 07:34 PM
I agree wholeheartedly with you and Brynn... "attitude is everything" along with your devoted care. Very best healing prayers for you all. Sweet girl.
Posted by: Margaret | May 16, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Steve and Alayne, thanks for the update on Brynn and all that is going on with her. She is in the best
place and in the care of the best "mom & dad" and doctors there are. While it is easy to become depressed by all that is going on with her you are absolutely right to take your cues from her. As I have shared before with my CRF kitty, while the numbers are a reference and indicator as to what is happening always remember the treat the patient and not the numbers. Walters BUN/ urea at the onset was 116! The other numbers blew the top off the charts as well. His last BUN/urea reading was 74! While high, what an improvement! I am so grateful that I didn't listen to the first vet and sought a second opinion, it has allowed us more time to love our dear friend. You are both such special people and our lives are blessed by your dedication and commitment to our 4-legged friends, and by them in the examples they show in their lives. All of ya'll at Rolling Dog Ranch are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Lynn | May 16, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Steve, I don't know how you guys do it ! Special angels on earth is all i can think of at the moment. Brynn is a very special gal to have you to look to and sounds like she just might be drawing in all that great love and energy she is receiving and in turn responding as well. All good things are possible. Will be waiting some great news here for Brynn
Posted by: Karen | May 16, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Maybe the cues work both ways? Seems to me that this incredible young horse has a love of life because that is how she is cared for - with endless love and the best care she can receive. As always, I am thinking of you and your amazing family of animals and, though Brynn's situation PULLS at my heartstrings, I can not imagine her life any richer or more blessed than it is with you.
Posted by: Kari | May 16, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Animals have amazing strength of spirit. They can teach us a lot. You go, Brynn!
Posted by: Cathy | May 16, 2007 at 08:11 AM
I wish Brynn didn't have such a long list of ailments; I'm hoping she can continue to feel well and happy. I think you're wise to follow her cues. She's getting the best of care and most love possible; that's for certain.
Posted by: Boundforglory | May 16, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Oh sweet Brynn...she's a fighter. Renal failure is tough...our girl Abby was on fluids for the last few months of her life fighting that insidious disease. She did really well for awhile though...so Brynn will too. She's got spunk!
Posted by: Abby Creek Art | May 16, 2007 at 08:01 AM