Was on my way to vet attachment when I made a quick phone call to Xiao Bai's owner cos V told me few days ago that a JRT there was not well at all. I called to see if the uncle was already at the farm and good thing he was. So off I go to meet V first to bring the JRT to the vet. I thought it would be good to bring Xiao Bai for a check up too as he had been coughing for the past weeks with no obvious signs of improvement after a course of antibiotics and cough syrup.
When we got there, I gathered more info from uncle. The JRT apparently still has good appetite but other than meal times, he will be very lethargic and inactive most of the time. He has also lost weight in the past week.
On first check, his rib cage is showing and his gums are very pale. He also has a listless look about him, lying down silently on the seat all the way to the vet.
At the vet, it was confirmed he's suffering from anaemia (reduced number of red blood cells or haemoglobin) shown from his very pale gums, which is a result of some disease process. He also has a deep bacteria wound on his front paw which he has been licking, further aggravating it. Further to this, he has a suspicious lump in his stomach which could be a tumour.
The main causes of blood loss in dogs leading to anaemia include:
- Trauma or injury that severs blood vessels or internal organs
- Parasites such as fleas, ticks, and hookworms
- Tumors of the intestinal tract, kidneys, and urinary bladder
- Diseases that prevent proper clotting of blood
To rule out worms, we dewormed him today. And did a heartworm test which was negative. Treatment include antibiotics and iron supplements to combat the anaemia plus antibiotic cream and powder for his wound. An ultrasound will determine what that lump is and if an operation is needed to remove it. That will cost a lot. For now, we will carry out this course of treatment and monitor little Jamie for the next 20 days. If his condition does not improve, we will decide on the operation.
We also took his temperature to rule out fever. His temperature was a normal 38 degrees celsius. Incidentally, I was running a fever just yesterday, temperature of 38.4 degrees. My body was weary and listless and though I could feel my body heating up internally, my hands and feet were cold. That was one of the very rare ocassions I felt unwell. But I also knew I would recover in a flash. Which I did. After a cool bath and early rest, I woke up this morning all fine and well and back in action.
My episode got me thinking about fever. Have you ever wondered WHY you run a fever? And HOW it happens? As in, how does your body temperature rise? Is there an internal heater that runs when the body is unwell?
SOME INFO ON HUMAN FEVER:
"Fever is a rise in our body's normal temperature, which, on average, is 36.6 to 37.2 degrees. Fever is part of our body's defense mechanism. When our bodies are fighting infections, our body temperature rises. But why? Fever is a symptom of an infection. Fever is a symptom of almost every disease known to man. Illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria invade our bodies and make us sick. Without our immune system to fight off these infections, we could die. Colds, tonsillitis, otitis media, the flu, bronchitis, tetanus, measles, mumps, chicken pox, AIDS, pneumonia are all examples of bacterial and viral infections.
Fever is a good thing. Does that sound like an odd statement? Fever is our body's natural response to fighting germs. Symptoms of a fever include: chills, aching everywhere, listlessness, elevated body temperature on the thermometer, red cheeks, and feeling hot or cold, shaking. The body basically shivers and has chills when the fever is rising, especially rapidly and sweats when the fever is dropping, or breaking, as some say.
The cause of the fever is quite an intricate process. Our blood and lymphatic systems produce white blood cells which are what fight off infection. As our white blood cells increase in number, like an army to fight the germs, they go faster and faster attacking the germs, this causes our bodies to heat up, thus causing the fever or rise in body temperature. The hypothalamus in the brain, which is the body's heat regulating mechanism is affected by the pyrogens, or the white blood cells that are produced to fight the infection. So, in effect, we can say that the fever is what is fighting the infection. That is why it is not good to try to bring down a fever too much or too fast. A temperature of 37.7 to 38.3 degrees celsius is good for the body because it shows that the body is fighting the infection. However, if a fever goes too high, measures must be taken to bring the fever down a bit. "
Normal dog temperature is 38 to 39.2 degrees celsius.
It got me thinking too that whatever we go through as humans, be it fever, flu, cough, skin problems like eczema, rashes, pregnancy etc...we understand it so much better when our animals go through the same issues. I also had a thought that women are in a privileged position as we have the chance to experience pregnancy and birth, and through that experience, understand personally the miracle of conception and birth in the animal kingdom. It brings us that much closer to the mothers of our world.
Jamie having his blood tested for heartworms.
With an E-collar to prevent him from licking his paw wound.
His treatment costs $120. We will appreciate your support. Please email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg for donation towards little Jamie. Thank you.
Meanwhile, if there is someone who can offer a good home to Jamie, pls contact us as I think he will be better off in a home environment. His current place is not exactly of good conditions and it could have been the cause of his ill health. Jamie is a very friendly fellow about 3-4 years old we guess. He was given to the farm by someone. A good home environment will be best for him.
But that still doesn't explain my totally muddied blunnies and jeans...
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