Mazie's Progress
First of all, I want to say thank you VERY much to everyone who has been so generous. We know that Mazie has really touched a lot of people and we are beyond humbled to have received so much help from our friends and family to help keep her alive. Because of everyone's donations so far, she received enough money to pay for a full day of IV fluids and antibiotics for all day yesterday, and also a portion of her latest blood test that she needed. I thank you on behalf of Ffej, myself, Brit, and Mazie (if she could talk).
The news we have received so far is that the IV fluids and antibiotics appear to be doing at least some good. She had been severely jaundiced in her eyes and on her gums, and the yellowing is going away. Furthermore, she has "perked up" and is less lethargic, to the point where she actually ATE FOOD. They have done an ultrasound and her liver is apparently functioning and looks to be mostly healthy. However, she has a malformed kidney and also they have discovered a type of blood cell that is only present when a certain disease exists. The blood test yesterday was to confirm the existance of the disease. This disease was compared to rheumatoid arthritis in humans, in that there is really no way to predict it or determine why some get it and some don't. Also, just as rheumatoid arthritis is the body's mechanism of attacking joints in humans, this disease attacks red blood cells in canines. She says that this disease is found in spayed "middle-aged" dogs (even if she isn't quite middle-aged yet). The prognosis for this type of disease is uncertain ... a couple of months up to a couple of years. And with the kidney, we would have to radically change her diet to a specific diet that is for dogs in renal failure.
The theory *until we get the results back from the vet today* is that she may have this blood disease, and the vet thinks that she may also have a kidney stone, if it isn't failing entirely. The kidney stone is unable to be sonically broken down like in humans, so this diet exists to help in destroying the stone and assisting in its passing naturally. There may be more glimmers of hope aside from this in that the vet mentioned that with the proper treatment of her kidneys, this blood disease may correct itself in time.
So that's where we are right now ... as you all have been a part of this, I wanted to offer my most heart-felt gratitude and keep you informed. As always, if there are any dog-lovers you know who might feel moved to help out a damn good rottie, feel free to pass this link on. Thank you for letting us try to keep her alive.