Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cosette Colbert Report
Welcome to the newest edition of the Cosette Colbert Report, also entitled "how Winston nearly ruined everything but then made up for it with a cake." As everyone knows my parents love me more than my brother, so every once in a while he pretends like he is going to die in a desperate attempt to get attention. He did that this past week. First was diarreah, so out came an antibiotic called mertronidazal to try to combat it. Then two days later Winston started acting really weird, going spastic and constantly running around for about 18 hours or more straight. Then it started looking like he could not control his legs, so off to the emergency room twice, the regular vet once, and a full panel of bloodwork told us...nothing!!! Winston was clearly miserable, unable to lay down and started falling asleep standing up. My parents then got an emergency referral to a doggie neurologist and this emergency visit became an overnight visit while more tests were done. Another panel of blood work, an MRI and a spinal tap failed to reveal anything. This was actually good because the neurologist seemed to expect to see something (my parents think he expected brain swelling or cancer), but once this was clean the vet began to suspect an acute metronidazal toxicity reaction. This happens in a small number of dogs, i.e. Winston. In the end, Winston started getting better as soon as he was taken off the antibiotic, and the spinal tap results were also clean, thereby ruling out ecephalitis. So after what my parents call an emotionally and physically draining week (Winston did not sleep much), all is well again.

I did not end up quite empty handed from this horrible affair, but more on that later.

This is the bald patch from where they took the spinal fluid for Winston's spinal tap.

A close up. Mommy and Daddy have been giving him extra attention for the past week, so his evil plan appears to have worked.

When he finally started acting like his old self again and all the test results had come back negative, Daddy got Winston a cake to celebrate.

I got to share the cake because I was such a good little sister while Winston was feeling bad - I only bothered him a little bit and I tried to sneak him some of my food when he was on his rice and chicken diet.

We enjoyed the cake very much.

The best news is that there is still some cake left over!!! And yes, this is a special hypo-allergenic dog cake that is perfectly safe for us puggies to consume.
Here's lookin' at your with both eyes,
Cosette Colber d'Bonapug
PS- the whole affair cost my parents $3,000 in vet bills, which they say is totally worth it for peace of mind and to get Winston better, but I also hear Daddy mumbling about how that is more than two sets of the golf clubs he's wanted for so long. Nonetheless, he seems happy.

17 comments:

Puglette said...

Oh My! What a frightening experience! I am so glad to hear Winston is ok...extra pug hugs to you all.
Hugs,
Puglette
:o)

Anonymous said...

Oh Winston! Your parents must have been just about SICK with worry over you. I know whenever I have one of my weird pug-fits, my humans start acting VERY upset. It usually gets me lots of belly rubs, baby talk, and food I'm not really supposed to have.

But then, a guy has to retain his handsome bowling ball physique, yes? Glad you got some cake out of the deal. And glad your feeling better. Bummer about the shaved spot. Man that looks freaky weird.

Cousin Rollo in Spokane
(as Dictated to your Uncle Ray. I don't do my own typing. Got to preserve my nails, you know)

Malissa said...

I hear you about high end vet bills, but I would go through fire for my boys. I am so glad all is calm again. Excellent cake shots too!

Rachel said...

eeks! After 3 grand in vet bills the pugs would be lucky to see a milk bone for a few years! You are very lucky pugs to have such good parents!
And we are SOO glad Winston is OK - how stressful that must have been.

Jemima Jones Beck said...

Well, we sure are glad that Winston is better - and that you got cake!
Love,
Jemima Jones Beck

Lucy said...

Poor Winston, that is horrible. I cringe whenever I hear the words spinal tap, ugh! So was the antibiotic somewhat to blame for all the drama? Glad everyone is resting up and feeling better, now let them eat cake! Good job taking care of everyone Cosette.

Manda Girl said...

Oh my goodness! what a scary week for you all - I am so relieved to hear that things seem to be ok. Many kisses from Meimei and Miko

Anonymous said...

OMG! I am so glad that the neurologist didn't find anything!That is toooo scary!
Ouch! Do you have pet insurance?

Glad everyone is doing better!

Nevis said...

Gracious! You poor guys! This must have been so stressful for both you guys (and Winston, of course). That's a lot of money but definatly worth it.

Btw, the cake looked delicious!

Harry Pugalicious said...

Poor Winston! I's feelin so bad for you. Now you gots that bald spot. I hopes it grows back.

Happy you's OK!!!

My mom gaves me a hard time about my big vet bill for my nip/tuck eye surgery. Thanks for showin her I's lo maintenance!

Unknown said...

Oh, Winston!
Bless your heart!

Aunt Lynn

Anonymous said...

3000 is worth it. I would sell all my designer shoes and clothing just to get my little pug better.
Im glad winston is better .... I cant imagine the ordeal ...

Sir Isaac Newton IV said...

Mommy and I are SO happy you're OK, Winston! We certainly know how you feel ... I had to have an MRI and back surgery this spring and it cost a fortune. Us pugs are definitely worth it, though!

Newton

P.S. It was very sweet of Cosette to try and share her food with you. Daddy would try to sneak me the good stuff after surgery, but Mommy would throw conniption fits!

Goodboy Norman Featherstone said...

Holy Cow! You got to eat that whole cake? Whoah! You should have invited me over... Is $3000 a lot of dollars? I don't count well, so it's hard for me to know.

Ronin_The_Pug said...

Oooo poor little Winston! We are so happy that you are ok now! Poor little guy!

That cake looks awesome!

Kisses and hugs!

Clover said...

Oh boy, Winston!! You sure did scare your parents! I am really glad to hear that you are all better now.
Thanks for telling us about it, Cosette :) You are a great baby sister! (I wish you could come be my sister - then I win and Winston wins! But your parents might not like it....)
Love Clover xo

Anonymous said...

What an ordeal! Glad to hear that Winston is on the mend. Poor guy :(
I'll have to remember the name of that antibiotic in case Giggs or Mea ever end up on it. Thanks for letting us all know about Winston's weird reaction.