I arrived at Washington State University's veterinary teaching hospital at 2:30 a.m. last night. When I had picked Pepper up at our vet clinic in Helena about 8 p.m., she was completely out of it ... from a combination of the drugs to control her seizures and, I'm afraid, from what the seizures have done to her brain. She was still completely gorked when we got to the hospital in Pullman. She continued to twitch throughout the trip, not quite real seizures but still evidence of misfiring in her brain. In Kellogg, Idaho, I pulled over at 1 a.m. to give her one of the injections of valium that our internist in Helena, Dr. Britt Culver, had equipped me with for the journey.
It was a beautiful night for a drive across the Rockies ... clear skies, stars, and the snowy mountains glistening in the bright moonlight. Yet all I could think about was the blind dog laying on the stretcher behind me, with her life teetering in the balance. As the miles wore on, I continued to reach back every ten minutes or so and touch Pepper to see if she was still breathing.
A fourth-year vet student, Alaina, helped me carry Pepper in from the truck on our stretcher when I got here. That's Alaina you see in the photo above, along with Dr. Chad O'Brien, the emergency vet on duty last night. Her vital signs were not good ... rapid heart rate and a temperature -- again -- of 105. Dr. O'Brien's goal was to get Pepper stable once more and get her through the night until the neurologists could assess her this morning.
Dr. O'Brien just called and said Pepper's temperature has come down but she is still essentially comatose, which he felt by now could no longer be explained by the medications she is on. So I am heading over to the hospital to meet with the neurologists. This is where I will be spending a good part of the day ... in the lobby of the teaching hospital while I wait to see how our girl is doing. Please keep her in your thoughts. It doesn't look good at the moment.
poor pepper....i will keep all of you in my prayers...i just hope she will be okay. i really have a soft spot for the older babies.
Posted by: Benita | February 21, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I thought about you and Pepper driving through the night and keeping you in my prayers.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | February 21, 2008 at 08:08 PM
We are pulling for Pepper...she is in our thoughts right now.
Posted by: Karen & Mike | February 21, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Pepper has been in my thoughts all day ... Keep fighting, sweel girl!
Posted by: Leslie | February 21, 2008 at 04:43 PM
One moment at a time. That's all you can do. You are all in my thoughts.
Posted by: Janet | February 21, 2008 at 04:01 PM
Steve and Alayne:
You have been thru so much with your pups lately. I'll add Pepper to my prayers tonight. When I go home this afternoon from work and kiss my pups, I'll send one Pepper's way. Take care,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | February 21, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Steve, I'm so sorry this is happening. You are all in my thoughts and praying for the best
Posted by: jen | February 21, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Oh Steve/Alayne...I'm sooo sorry!! Your right it doesn't sound good. I know what you are going through. We just lost our Brittany a month ago, who had bad seizures through out the night. We had the same concerns with brain damage. She was too far gone by the time we got her to the vet and the only thing to do was to let her go. I am crying as I write this, both for you and Pepper!!! Having to go through this heart break again is breaking my heart as well!!! Big hug to you as well as Pepper.
Love you both...Laura
Posted by: Laura | February 21, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I went to sleep very late last evening around 1 and was thinking you and Pepper were probably getting close to Pullman. Hoping for the best !!
Posted by: Leigh | February 21, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Pepper.
Posted by: Smiley Faces | February 21, 2008 at 01:58 PM
The three weiner dogs and I are praying for Pepper and you!!! Hang in there girl!!!
Posted by: Jenn | February 21, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Poor dear Pepper. She is very much in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. We hoping for the best for you all and admire your actions to help her.
Posted by: Margaret | February 21, 2008 at 01:24 PM
oh Steve, you guys are having a rough couple of weeks. Our paws are crossed and we're praying for Pepper.
Posted by: Kristi Gross | February 21, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Dear Steve and Alayne,
my heart is overwhelmed with sadness and worry for Pepper...such a beautiful soul, inside and out. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and hoping for some good news. Poor sweet girl, thank god you found each other!
xoxox,
sue and the yahoos
Posted by: smrp | February 21, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I'm hoping and praying for the best...
Posted by: Paul | February 21, 2008 at 12:37 PM