I'll just update here and send the link to all my friends trying to get to his blog...

The ER vet called this morning and Raven was stable, got up to go out to potty, but his blood level had dropped a bit.  That is an indicator of a possible bleed/leakage, but also can be caused by the addition of all the fluids.  And it's not dangerously low.  It was 39% last night and dropped to 33%.  25% would be bad.  She said they would check again in 4 hours and she just called to say it is back up to 36%.  THat is GOOD.  I believe it is only on the low end due to the fluids they've had him on (still), rather than a bleed.  The ultrasound didn't show fluid either, also indicating the lack of an internal bleed.

The options:  if he stays at the hospital and does have a bleed out, they could administer fluids heavier (like last night), do a transfusion if necessary, or even do surgery and just remove the spleen and source of the problem.

My vet said we can do all those things here at home, even on his day off.  He knows Raven and knows he'd be better off here emotionally, regardless of how much time he has left.  He advised to bring him home with a catheter and heprin flush and a bag that I can administer if he goes pale or shocky and call him at home if that happens.  He will come with his dog for a transfusion, or even meet me at the clinic for surgery, so no need to leave him in the hospital with strangers. 

My main focus and comfort is that many have come forth (on a bulldog forum that loves Raven, and my friends) to say that bleeding out is painless.  JUst sleepy, disoriented.  Which fits for last night.  He was just shocky, but not in pain at all.  I think he'd have just laid down and died peacefully.   My goal now being to have him comfy here with me through tomorrow, when we can go see Tom during regular hours for a second opinion. 

So, that was my decision until I called the ER back and they will NOT release him with a catheter.  *sigh*  So, Tom is in church right now, I left him a message and asked him to call that vet directly and see if she'd release him to his clinic and then he can just bring him to my place.  UGH.  Or, I will pick him up without the catheter and then meet Tom to put it back in.  I hate their stupid rules for liabilities!!  The dog would be at risk without the catheter in and my vet is confident in my abilities with it!

Waiting now for Tom to call her when he gets my message... 

Dawn

I have him home!  🙂  He is alert and ate his dinner.  But he certainly isn't normal as he was yesterday morning.  He could barely make it from the house to the car.  I couldn't have without his harness.  I don't think it's pain, just weak.  He laid down once inside and has been there ever since.  He sleeps a bit, then look around like he'd like to get up and go lay on the couch or his bed, but then changes his mind.  Either too weak or something doesn't feel right enough to bother.  If he stays this way, I do feel it is time. 

I have his entire records from his stay, his xrays, his ultrasounds, bloodwork.  My vet Tom and I went over everything but the xrays, and there's some confusion as to there may be an infection in the mass they thought, and whether it is his spleen or his liver.  So, we are going to ultrasound him at his clinic at 9:30am, and have my friends at Auburn University radiology/oncology look at the films for a second opinion (they are the ones that confirmed his clear films 4 weeks ago).  Then we will hopefully have a better idea what we are dealing with and the prognosis.

It seems the blog is running again, so I will post over there now, so just watch it for updates.   Right now, there is such comfort in just looking at him resting comfortably, I hope the night continues that way.  🙂

Dawn and Raven