Murphy~~~~~

 It has been a few difficult days around here. We noticed this past Saturday that Murphy was not feeling well. On Monday we took him to the vet. They ran  tests. At 9am Tuesday morning the vet called with Murphy's results. I knew by the tone of her voice that it was serious. The test showed that he is Diabetic ketoacidosis... needing immediate treatment.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in dogs is a serious and life-threatening complication of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. In some cases, the affected dog had previously been diagnosed with diabetes.  Not the case for us.  However, in many cases, the vet makes the diagnosis of DKA at the same time as the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. 

This is a major, life-threatening illness. In some case the pet might be euthanized. The reasons can vary; from severity of illness to  inability to provide long term at home care and the financial burden.

By 2pm Lisa and I took him to the emergency hospital and he was admitted for intensive care. .His labs were very much off and they began to stabilize him. Before you think we ignored something with him, we did not. Again, symptoms that something was wrong began on Saturday, June 28th. He was not eating, drinking copious amounts of water and had a few incidents of spitting up and lots of urination.  I initially thought he might have a UTI.

Around 4:30 yesterday Murphy began to respond to the IV for fluids but not out of trouble yet. Today he will see a specialist for diabetic care and we should know more.  They will insert an NG tube for nourishment. It was very difficult leaving him there yesterday. I cried all morning and Lisa cried all afternoon. We are all feeling sad. He is our baby...many of you have furbabies and can relate.

Murphy will be 6 years old this August.  To us he is still just a pup.  Please keep him in your thoughts. 

Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship. I will update  as soon as I know anything more.

 FYI

Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include any combination of the following:

•  *Increased urination—the kidneys have to work extra hard to filter excess sugar in the blood, leading to increased urine output.
• *Increased thirst in dogs—what goes out must come in; dogs in DKA have to drink a lot more water to make up for the loss through urine.
• *Weight loss—because the dog can’t properly metabolize glucose, the body breaks down fats and proteins for cellular energy.
• Muscle wasting—altered energy metabolism deprives muscle cells of energy, so muscles can start to deteriorate.
• *Decreased appetite—the electrolyte imbalances and acid base problems caused by DKA can make dogs feel bad and not want to eat.
• Nausea—similarly, the blood chemistry disturbances in DKA can cause nausea.
• *Vomiting—nausea can become severe enough that dogs with DKA may vomit.
• *Depression or being a lethargic dog—without proper glucose metabolism, DKA in dogs can significantly reduce their overall energy.
• Weakness—muscle loss and poor energy can make dogs with DKA very weak.
• *Dehydration—sometimes dogs can’t drink enough water to overcome the extra fluid loss, leading to dehydration.
• Diarrhea—fluctuations in fluids and blood chemical levels can cause soft or watery stool.
• Cataracts in dogs—high blood sugar can lead to excess glucose in the eye fluid. This glucose is metabolized into sorbitol, which draws water into the lens and causes cataracts.
• An enlarged liver—breaking down fat stores for energy causes fatty accumulation in the liver.
• Increased respiratory rate and effort (dog is breathing fast)—dogs breathe more heavily or pant to compensate for altered metabolism and acid base balance.
• Dull mentation—the brain relies on glucose for energy.
• Stupor or coma—in severe cases of DKA, the brain is so deprived of cellular energy it starts to shut down.
• A sweet odor to the breath—some dogs will have a fruity odor to their breath that is from the buildup of acetone—one of the types of ketones—in their bodies.
•  
• Symptoms with the * are what Murphy exhibited. 

A very busy month

 This month has been full of busy and creative times. Leading up to Lisa's heart surgery, there were tests and tests and more tests. . Surgery was Wednesday (7/26) . After 5 hours in the OR she was sent to ICU where she still is. Of course she is being closely monitored and the staff is very attentive and very kind.  at least once  a day she takes a "lap" around the nurses station and sits in a chair part of the day. All in all, she is doing well. Thank you for all the kind words and encouragement.

Lisa's mom Carol will be visiting soon and while here we will celebrate her birthday...so, I decided to wrap her gifts differently...Korean fabric wrapping called Bojagi. Much like origami. I used a lovely piece of Batik.

Minature Granny square piece....size 20 tatting thread and a 0.05 hook...small, very small. Of the many hooks that I have I did not have this size...so I bought a set of small hooks

Why you may be asking am I doing this? I saw a YouTube video on miniatures and well, .... I am not new to such tiny crochet. I learned to crochet as an eight year old and back then you learned to crochet around handkerchiefs. I have also make doilies with larger thread and hook. Somewhere in the mist of my hanging handkerchiefs, there are a couple that I crocheted around.

My new roommate...a Twin-tail Half-moon Beta. He has no name yet. Hank....well one morning he was happily swimming and later that afternoon he was floating. that's a goldfish for ya.

That about wraps it up around here. You may have heard we in Arizona are in an excessive heat warning. The temps have been 115 and higher. I as well as Murphy are staying indoors. Glad to you stopped to visit. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Thank you for your good wishes for Lisa who still has a way to recovery. Thank you for you friendship.

Slow down you move too fast.....

 That maybe what the song says but it certainly does not describe me lately. If you have not read earlier...much earlier it seems posts, I had surgery on my spine. Specifically an L4 L5 fusion with a cage support.  If you google there is lots of info and

pictures like this one. It is an involved surgery. I was due for a one night stay but problems with drainage was another night. Can not complain though. This was a CORE Specialty Hospital...27 beds. The staff were excellent and the food, well delicious. Before you ask, yes I have lots of restrictions....no bending, stretching , twisting lifting...all common sense and there is the pain if I forget. I have a 6 inch incision center spine at waist and staples which will be removed Monday. My companion The Walker on wheels is usually with me----yes once in  time I find myself without it. I have kept busy when not napping sewing hexies. Soon I should spread them out to see how many I need. Dianna has given me wonderful flower prints. She also has started a hexie quilt. Thank you Cynthia for checking up on me and others whose emails made me smile. Debbie sent me musical note...the Macarena to do while sauntering around....haha. Thank you for all your wonderful words and for you friendship. I appreciate the encouragement very much.