Antonio's New Nicknames

Antonio has a long history of nicknames, including:

'Tonio
Puppy
Pooper
Poop
Weiner Dog
Handsome
Stinker
Stink

... and so on. But recently I've added a few others to the list which, I believe, are particularly creative.

Mr. T (pity the fool!)
Frankenbelly (for obvious reasons)
Office Depot (because Staples was too obvious)

Antonio the "Difficult Medical Case"

I have read more articles and stories about dogs and illnesses in the past few months than anyone should ever read. Antonio and I saw the vet again today, and together the doctor and I began listing all of the symptoms that have begun to afflict my poor dog during the past four months. Here is the list as it is today, in case someone, like me, does a web search looking for answers for their sick pet. We're scheduled to see an Internal Medicine Specialist next Wednesday.

Antonio
Miniature dachshund
10 years of age
10-11.5 lbs normally

Recent Symptoms Include:
Depression/mood changes
Lethargy/Weakness/Confusion
Excessive drinking/urination
Refusal to go on walks
Refusal to use the stairs
Disinterest in play/toys
Significant weight gain (currently 14.6 lbs)
Distended stomach (no fluid that we can tell)
Vision problems/blindness
Liver bile acids tests well over 100 fast/post fast (150/240)
Inconsistent elevated calcium levels
Inconsistent elevated blood sugar levels
Swollen lymph nodes
Elevated heart rate (on occasion)
Slightly labored breathing (with elevated heart rate)
Dry/cracked nose

Xray/ultrasounds show:
- No visible liver shut
- Stomach cyst
- Slightly enlarged liver
- Slightly enlarged kidneys
- Adrenal gland tumor (7mm)
- Stomach cyst (unknown origin)
- Gallbladder sludge (no blockage)
- Calcification in soft tissue near hip

Medications Prescribed During This Time:
Tramadol
Denamarin
Ursodiol
Amoxicillin
Metronidazole
Hill’s Prescription Diet L/D

This is what we have seen to date, and the symptoms seem to wax and wane, suggesting a toxin or hormonal influence. We don't have much history on Antonio's blood pressure, so I'm measuring his heart rate at home and will take him in for a blood pressure check when the heart rate increases. Next Wednesday the specialist will most likely do another ultrasound and may suggest laparoscopic surgery to obtain internal biopsies and images.

Diagnoses That Have Been Discussed:
Cushing's Disease
Liver Disease
Some Unknown Neurological Cause
Gallbladder Disease (rare)
Bone Cancer
Lymphoma
Pheochromocytoma (rare)

King of the Mountain

Cone. Head. Dog.

Antonio Loves His Toy

June Already

Phew! I can't believe that it's June. Where did spring go? The weather has been so strange lately - back and forth between super hot and days of rain - so summer was able to sneak up on us quickly this year. This weekend I've been lazy, next weekend will be Honfest, and the week after next I'll be home in Ohio. Time is moving so fast.

Unrelated, my hair is super long. I don't know how it happened. It's really too long for my taste at this point, but I measured it last week, and, well... I've decided to keep growing it all summer and then donate it to Locks of Love. I'm super nervous about having short hair once its cut, but most of the work is already done so it's silly to let that stop me. It will be a nice thing to do. It's all about the karma. :)

Speaking of doing good things, I think I've decided that all fundraisers will be delayed until I return from Ohio. I did two in a row, and the next four weeks are already looking pretty full. I have my next theme all picked out, though, so hopefully you all will be feeling generous by mid-July.

That's all. I'm off to eat, watch a movie and crochet. Now I'm working on two blankets at a time - with two (one for Cassie and one for Baby Prevatt) scheduled for the next few months. Anyone else need a blanket?

Oh... photos from today at the park.

Blanket Update

With bonus sleeping Antonio...

The New Blanket

Antonio is a fan... comfy.

Love for the Momma

And yes... he was looking up at me. Seriously... so cute.

Atlanta and Back

My Atlanta trip is over, and it was well worth it. It was full of fun meetings, good company and delicious food - and overall, just a great experience for me professionally. But as much as I was grateful for the experience, it is so nice to be home. I crashed on the couch for a few hours tonight, and now I think I'll watch TV from bed before hitting the sack for tomorrow. And Antonio and Ana seem so happy to have me home.

This weekend:
- Crabs?
- Farmer's market?
- Tree Planting for Jones Falls Association?

Unbearably HOT

March for the Animals: Year THREE!

This year was our third year participating in the SPCA's March for the Animals. The weather was great - overcast, yes, but bright, 65 degrees-ish and breezy. This year Antonio was lucky to walk with his Aunt Jill (thank you!), and I walked Rilee to help build my strong arm muscles. Not sure how much was raised yet this year (it takes a few days for them to know), but it really felt worthwhile, and the dogs are TIRED. Nicole and I actually dropped off Antonio at home and took Delilah and Rilee to Craven's Cabana so that we could have a quick beer.

So I have loads of pics, but I'm including the cuter ones here.

Rilee and Delilah getting much needed water at a water station.

Antonio when he FINALLY thought he made it to the front of the pack. You could just feel how proud he was!

Antonio and his momma (like my sunburn?)

Nicole and her girls - Rilee and Delilah (where's Waldo Antonio?)

The Prevatts - Rob, Jill and Rocky (AKA "Rockstar")

Saturday in Review

This morning I had a headache - I guess the fundraiser was a bit much for me - and although it lingered all day, I still managed to do quite a bit today. At noon or so, Antonio headed up to CJ & Nicole's for fun in the sun and dog time. At one point we had five dogs (Antonio, Lucy, Baxter, Rilee and Delilah) with us. It was lovely. Of course, I'm a bit sun burnt, but we all make sacrifices, right?

Later in the afternoon I went home for a nap before heading out for Liana's birthday party. Nicole and I couldn't stay long because we have March for the Animals tomorrow (and some unexpected dog drama), but it was great seeing everyone and spending part of Liana's day with her. I'm exhausted... so I'm off to bed. But here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

Lucy and Delilah bein' good for treats...

Antonio staying out of the sun. So cute. :)

Antonio in pursuit of playing, running dogs. Look at him go!

A cool break in the pool for Delilah, Baxter and Rilee.

And what more appropriate way to end my post that a shout out to the birthday girl! Work it, Liana!

Antonio-Lovers

Okay all... so Antonio. He's fine. "Fine" in that his blood work is fine, x-ray is fine, ultrasound is fine, urinalysis is fine and urine culture is fine... except that there's blood in his urine. Right. No infection... but blood. Weird. Very weird.

We've run a bunch of tests as you can see, so now we're going to try some antibiotics just for the hell of it. If that doesn't fix it, then we'll move forward with a procedure requiring anesthesia. I've been reading... and there are a few diagnoses that aren't infections: abnormal cell growth (tumor or polyps), diverticulum of the bladder, bleeding disorders, urethral prolapse, or some sort of non-infectious inflammation of the bladder or something. I have no idea.

So there's our update. If you have any wisdom to impart or doggie knowledge to share, please do so. Antonio is acting normally except for his occasional neediness and (ahem) few accidents, so we're just taking it one step at a time until we figure it out.

A Tribute

Antonio

Without going into too much detail, Antonio is sick again.  We rushed to the vet this morning to have some tests done, and we should have results in a few days.  Antonio is fine, his life isn't in danger, but it's another bump on our road.  Oh, and totally unrelated to this problem, Antonio was diagnosed with a heart murmur today... double bonus.

So I got almost no sleep last night, and as a result I am exhausted and basically trying to get the house in order just enough to justify sitting down to eat dinner.  I know once I stop moving, I'll be done. I'm so bloody tired.  

So send positive thought to Antonio, please.  We'll know what's up in a few days, but I don't think I'll be sleeping well for awhile because I'll be worrying.  I suppose this is where someone tells me to start exercising again because it's A) good for me physically and B) good for me mentally.  I know.  It's the damn motivation that I'm lacking.  How do I get some of that?

Friday in Review

Our vet appointment went well today. Antonio lost weight (yay!) and weighs a trim 10 lbs 12 oz. He was on his way to 12 lbs about six months ago so we were very happy to hear it. Everything is well with him, with the ever-so-slight- exception of his teeth, which, at eight years of age, look great compared to most dachshunds. I just brushed his teeth for the first time ever, and honestly, he didn't seem to mind at all.

Cipriana (Ana) also did very well. The vet can't say for sure if she has had kittens or if she has just been through a few heat cycles in her life, but at four years old unspayed, our bet is kittens. Today Ana weighs 9 lbs 3 oz which is up from 7 lbs 8 oz when I adopted her. This is excellent! But now she's at her ideal weight, so I was given a scoop to make sure I don't overfeed her. Overall, Ana is in excellent health, too, which makes me ecstatic and relieved.

(And, of course, all of this made me miss my Elliott.)

After the vet I worked eight hours from noon until not too long ago... so now I am tired again. At this point, I think maybe I have an ear thingy and not a sinus infection because although I don't have pain, I think the clogginess is in my ears. I'm wondering if the ringing that I heard for a day or two after the NKOTB concert started this - think: concert, ear ringing, headaches and nausea - the symptoms all start to make sense. Now the questions are: Do I just need healing time? Or do I have a problem? I don't know.

All of this speculation, of course, means that I am now going to have a lame weekend. I intend to be lazy, stay in, and - with exception to seeing Delilah and Rilee tomorrow - do nothing. I need to kick this ear thing and hydrate and rest.

Oh... and I need to watch On the Waterfront and The Grapes of Wrath. Jealous yet?

Antonio's New Toy

My mom bought Antonio this new toy... we are bit concerned about him though - his tail was down Thursday, yesterday and again today, and I worry that his back is acting up. His annual vet appointment is on Friday, so I've started him on muscle relaxers (2x per day) in the meantime hoping they will relieve any pain or tension that he's feeling.

Ugh. Poor puppy dog.

Ten on Tuesday (the Early Edition)

1. I am so excited for my girls to get here. Even though we'll be together for only twenty hours or so, I can't WAIT! NKOTB, here we come! (Again!)

2. I'm driving home to Ohio on Friday morning. I drop the girls off at the airport at 6:30 AM, then I'll pack and hit the road. Baby Shower and grandparent visits are planned.

3. Ana. Sneezes. At night. In my face. I don't like it.

4. Ummm... weird question: what are girl cat nipples supposed to look like? Ana has funny looking nipples - I'M SORRY! They're skinny and long-like. Weird, right? But maybe I just don't know girls.

5. I realized on Sunday that I'd seen 44 of the 100 American Film Institute's top movies. Make that 45 because I just finished watching Bridge over the River Kwai. Wow. I think I saw it as a kid, but I'm glad I watched it again as an adult - it's a great movie. Really, really great. Next up: The Grapes of Wrath.

6. On that note, if you don't have Netflix, I highly recommend it. While I'm waiting for one movie to arrive, I watch one or two more on the Internet. Next on Netflix online: Casablanca.

7. I need to finish Jeanne's blanket. Like... pronto.

8. Marie wants me to start digital scrapbooking. Hmmm... another hobby.

9. Oh! Ana has a meow. Barely. It is even more pathetic than Mariah's meow. She's tried about three times, and each time I know that she's meowing more because I can see it rather than hear it.

10. I almost forgot: READER POLL. Where can I get decent crab cakes to go that will last the drive (chilled) to Ohio? I need something easy and local, but not cheap-o. Help. It's for my grandpa.

Day Seven

Okay... I need to stop giving Ana nighttime love. She's keeping me up, and I'm exhausted. If I limit the lovin' she gets during the night, maybe she'll venture out more during the day. I've also decided that I'm not going to separate them while I am at work today. Ana hasn't growled or hissed at Antonio in days, and she's been very close to him a number of times... I'm going to trust that she can keep herself away from him should she feel that she needs to.

I need caffeine...