[PyrNet-L] CHAT, CARE, HEALTH: Albert's illness

[MagEBroD@aol.com]

   Well this morning I wrote that Albert seemed improved and rectal bleeding
had stopped and he was eating some (Intestinal disorder diet).  Well, he
backslid some and started bleeding rectally again by afternoon. Vet still
decided to let me take him home at 5:30pm tonight for the weekend. He wants us
to watch him for 3 more days. (Today is day 8 of his being sick) 
   He's ruled out many many things through blood tests (ruled out organ
allergies, infections, many many diseases), thyroid tests (neg.) , stool
sample tests (neg for parasites, etc.), ruled out polyps, torn anus, foreign
materials, many irritations, blockages. 
   If after 3 days he is still bleeding rectally, he will have us go to a
specialist an hour away for further probes and biopsy.
   In meantime we will feed him the ID (intestinal disorder food). I also
wondered about the possibility of our water having too many minerals in it &
asked if that could cause intestinal or other organ problems. Vet said it is
possible that it could cause enough irritation to affect him this way. We will
get water tested and see what mineral content is. In meantime we will give him
only filtered water. (When our son went away to college the water there was
horrible and we got him a Brita water filter pitcher & since he moved back
home we have been using it at home and when we travel.) However I didn't use
filtered water for animals, since we did not suspect any problem with water
and it was easier to use downstairs faucets to fill their bowls than carry it
downstairs from kitchen. We know we do have a fair amount of iron in well
water though. Got wondering though & after talking it over with vet, safety is
best course until we find out if water's OK. Can't even inquire about getting
it tested until Monday now.  
   We know the Simpson Timber Co. by us hasn't sprayed lately, (they are
notorious for overspraying and getting our land and in past son got sick just
playing outside at the time and afterwards & whole family got sick as a result
when it rained and seeped into well water).  But will check & see if maybe
county road crew has sprayed along side of road where we walk him. Or
neighbours along the road or easment we share.
   I also got results of the tests they did on him and will see about a Cornel
University Vet. School consult, too. 
    Albert is eating the ID dogfood well now and thrilled to back home! He
seldom seems very sick with the exception of a few minutes once in a while and
one day or so when he wouldn't eat at all. Vet says he's sure it is nothing
contagious and we can go ahead with our plans for our littermates reunion on
this Sunday. All Albert's littermates and his parents and their owners and
special friends who were there when they were born and very involved in their
initial puppyhood are invited. So we will have a fun weekend  with him and
hope for the best. And we'll take lots of photos of the littermates reunion
Sunday and see if I can somehow share them with the people on the internet and
see if local newspaper will put a photo in the paper of the reunion!
   So sorry this is so long, but so many have been expressing their concern
and wanting to be kept up-to-date.

:(  &  :\```   (me worried & Albert sick and drooling!)

Janice Vocke
MagEBroD@aol.com
Shelton, WA.