hearts and roses
Mind Reader
Edited to make it clear that Sophie is our 9 year old cairn terrier.
And this time around it's her liver. You may (or may not) recall that in Feb 2009 Sophie's immune system was attacking itself and her bone marrow was not producing any red blood cells. Her hematcrit was WAY below where it should have been. In fact, her vet was surprised she could still stand let alone take a walk everyday around our block. After months of tests, much money spent on lots of drug regimens, she came through and has been doing well.
A couple of weeks ago, she went for her annual check up and because of last year's health issue, they ran some extra blood work - turns out her liver enzymes are elevated like they were last year. So, vet gave her some liver support medications and now a couple of weeks later, nothing has changed. Sophie looks and behaves healthy. I mean, she is definitely more tired, but she did have lymes, which we're still treating her for.
Anyway, vet wants to perform a liver biopsy. I don't know how the heck much that costs, but I can tell you that I expended nearly $2400 last year. It wiped out my paltry savings and some even had to go on a credit card. I do not have the resources for anything over a couple of HUNDRED and even that is a stretch right now. I know the vet means well, and we love Sophie and don't want her to die, but he said that if we don't get a definitive diagnosis for Sophie, by the time she actually looks and behaves like a sick dog, it could be too late.
Anyone ever have a liver biopsy done on their dog? And if so, do you recall the costs? I know she will have to be knocked out and stay over for two days and one night. And the procedure will be preceeded by an ultrasound and performed by the ultrasound guy. Pretty sure the ultrasound itself is near $250, plus anesthesia, etc.
And this time around it's her liver. You may (or may not) recall that in Feb 2009 Sophie's immune system was attacking itself and her bone marrow was not producing any red blood cells. Her hematcrit was WAY below where it should have been. In fact, her vet was surprised she could still stand let alone take a walk everyday around our block. After months of tests, much money spent on lots of drug regimens, she came through and has been doing well.
A couple of weeks ago, she went for her annual check up and because of last year's health issue, they ran some extra blood work - turns out her liver enzymes are elevated like they were last year. So, vet gave her some liver support medications and now a couple of weeks later, nothing has changed. Sophie looks and behaves healthy. I mean, she is definitely more tired, but she did have lymes, which we're still treating her for.
Anyway, vet wants to perform a liver biopsy. I don't know how the heck much that costs, but I can tell you that I expended nearly $2400 last year. It wiped out my paltry savings and some even had to go on a credit card. I do not have the resources for anything over a couple of HUNDRED and even that is a stretch right now. I know the vet means well, and we love Sophie and don't want her to die, but he said that if we don't get a definitive diagnosis for Sophie, by the time she actually looks and behaves like a sick dog, it could be too late.
Anyone ever have a liver biopsy done on their dog? And if so, do you recall the costs? I know she will have to be knocked out and stay over for two days and one night. And the procedure will be preceeded by an ultrasound and performed by the ultrasound guy. Pretty sure the ultrasound itself is near $250, plus anesthesia, etc.
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