Last Thursday I took blind Callie in to see our internal medicine specialist in Missoula, Dr. Dave Bostwick, for her two-week check-up after her radiation therapy. She continues to circle with a head tilt from the ear infection she developed at the WSU veterinary teaching hospital, though she is definitely improving. Dave found no signs of infection and he said her ear drum is starting to heal up, but still has some perforations in it. It may take a few more weeks for this vestibular issue to finally clear up.
In addition to the physical exam, Dave also took blood to check her serum phenobarbital levels. That's what Dave is doing in the photo above, with vet tech Alex holding Callie for the blood draw. (Callie is hoping that Alex will give her a head massage while she's at it.)
Dave got the blood results back on Friday and determined that we needed to increase her phenobarbital dose slightly to get her back in therapeutic range. She turned out to be just below the threshold, which is why monitoring her serum phenobarbital levels is something we will have to routinely do. The good news is that even on such a low dose, she hasn't had any seizures, which is a sign the tumor has indeed shrunk.
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Enter
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Thanks for the Callie update. Love seeing her cute face! Tell Callie I sometimes walk a little funny too... it is perfectly okay. :)
Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog
http://www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Barbara Techel | May 26, 2009 at 05:29 PM
What a sweet dog! She looks so tiny and helpless in that picture (though I really know that she's got you at her beck and call).
Posted by: JC | May 26, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Sounds like Callie's tumor has shrunk....excellent news!!
We hope that her head tilting clears up or at least the next time she does a tilt, she's asking you a question like "where are the snacks??"
Posted by: boundforglory | May 26, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I hope you stop at McDonalds and get her, her own Happy Meal...that's what I do for my dogs. :) Thanks for the update.
Posted by: Amy A | May 26, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I'm so glad to hear Callie is improving. Thank you for your devotion to helping her get better & your devotion to all your furry residents. Callie, we send you continued prayers & lots of hugs & kisses.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | May 26, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Glad Callie is on the mend. What a wonderful little lady!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | May 26, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Thanks for the Callie update. I'm glad she's doing well. When the vestibular issue, as you called it, clears up, will her circling stop and head tilt go away? I hope so. Poor sweetie - you just want to hug her and make her better. She's been through so much - what a trooper!
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | May 26, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Thanks for the great update w/photo on Callie. It's wonderful that she's doing so well after being through so much.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | May 26, 2009 at 04:14 AM
Thank you, Steve, for this great update on Callie! It's so good to hear she hasn't had any more seizures lately.:-)
Callie looks like a very well-behaved lady on the vet's table... Good girl!:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | May 26, 2009 at 03:33 AM
GREAT NEWS!!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | May 26, 2009 at 02:38 AM