Back in early March I had a post on how we found out that Wilbur had high blood pressure, and the implications for his health and in particular, the retina in his remaining eye. Since then things have only become more of a mystery. I recently took him back to see our internal medicine specialist in Burlington, Dr. Tanya Donovan, for a recheck after he'd been on his blood pressure medication for two weeks. That's Tanya with Wilbur in the photo above, along with fourth-year vet student Jennifer S.
Here's Wilbur during part of the physical with Tanya and Jennifer:
But the latest bloodwork that day showed his glucose levels were suddenly almost twice the high end of normal range. Was he now diabetic?
So that weekend Tanya asked me to take his glucose readings just to double-check the lab findings. We know how to do this because we have a glucometer from previous diabetes cases we've had in the past (Teddy and Sammy, among others). Wilbur's glucose level was perfectly normal!
His edema had also started resolving on his own, and by that weekend was completely gone. Tanya had already switched him to a completely different blood pressure medication, so we don't know if that was the issue or not. I'll be taking him back shortly for another recheck, and hopefully more answers then.
In the meantime, Wilbur is his usual happy, adorable self!
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That's always the way it is (even with us humans)...get to the doctor and everything shows up normal. I'm glad Wilbur is feeling good now and hope all remains that way for this precious guy!
Posted by: Ann | April 09, 2013 at 09:46 PM
Good Morning dear Wilbur - gosh tests are just NO fun are they? I'm sure you got LOTS of hugs and were royally treated by the staff at the clinic though xoxox
Posted by: Valerie | April 09, 2013 at 09:20 AM
That's very strange indeed. Hopefully an anomaly that never happens again. And Wilbur, no more snacking on jelly doughnuts right before your vet appointment...
Posted by: Tonya Allen | April 08, 2013 at 07:21 PM
I am a fool for this little guy. He is such a charmer. I wonder if maybe he likes car rides and time with the girls at the clinic? Just a thought! Many hugs to The Wilbster!
Posted by: Mary H./Washington state | April 08, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Love you Wilbur. Stay healthy little guy!
Posted by: Penny | April 08, 2013 at 06:18 PM
Don't you just hate it when you have all the tests and bazinga, everything's normal. Go figure. Guess it's called the Practice of medicine for a reason!
Posted by: Peggy S. | April 08, 2013 at 06:09 PM
That's just really strange. Let's hope it was a one-time anomaly and never happens again.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | April 08, 2013 at 04:41 PM
Poor Wilbur. We can't let anything happen to everyone's favorite. (well, OK, my favorite!) It was very odd that all that happened, but it may have been the new blood pressure medication. At least, let's hope so and hope the new one won't cause any other issues. We'll wait to hear an update on the little guy in a few weeks.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | April 08, 2013 at 02:32 PM
Darling little Wilbur! He's so tiny and cute - I just want to hug him.....glad things are balancing out for him in his health issues.
Posted by: Leila K. - Western Wash. | April 08, 2013 at 01:15 PM
The Mystery that is Wilbur! He's on track now so prayers for him to stay in there. And for all at the Farm.
Posted by: Linda | April 08, 2013 at 12:40 PM
Hey, Wilbur, no more mysteries, please. Just live happily and healthily and long.
Posted by: Moon Rani | April 08, 2013 at 11:54 AM