Friday, November 5, 2010

Layla Update


Layla's a little bit better today.  She's not falling over as much, but she's still definitely unsteady on her feet. She's eating decently well and drinking a lot (seems like a bit more than usual).  She was active this morning, but is now curled up asleep next to me.

We were all set to make the call to bring her to Garden State, but my mom had reservations about it - not that she didn't want to bring her, just that she thought that we should try treating the most benign possible cause first (an ear infection) before jumping to MRIs and neurological testing.  Going there is definitely an emotional strain (it's not even about the money) on all of us, including my cat. I told her I'd only wait if my vet said it was okay.  She called him, and he said it wouldn't be harmful to wait a week (I initially proposed just waiting the weekend).  So, Layla is on Clindamycin antibiotic pills and will get more blood drawn on Thursday  After that, we'll decide whether or not she needs to see a specialist.

There are lots of things it could be: a neurological disorder, vestibular disease, stroke, inner ear infection. My vet said to both my mom and I, "If she has a brain tumor, you're probably not going to operate." I'm not sure why he said that; I just know that that's the worst case scenario.  He said he did have a cat once who presented symptoms kind of like these and he simply had an ear infection.  Layla's ears are REALLY itchy and she does have some brown buildup inside of them, so maybe, maybe, it's something like that.

I really appreciate your good thoughts.  Keep them coming for my little girl.

---------------------------------------

Tomorrow's the agility trial.  I went to the trial site today.  It was extremely cold (good for Marge!) and there weren't a lot of tents set up (also good for Marge!).  We'll see if those two things stay the same tomorrow.  I watched the judge, who will be the judge for our first class, Open Standard; Marge has only shown under a male judge once but she did OK with it, so I'm hoping tomorrow will be the same (BOTH judges are men).  The table wasn't automatic.. again, it's just the regular judge's count, which is very good for her, too.

There was a bit of noise around (the Parks Department emptying the big barrel garbage cans - NOT good), but I'm hoping that 8 AM on a Saturday won't be too bad.  Marge was VERY good today out on her walk in the field, able to do flatwork with me amidst people walking by in pretty close proximity.  She heard a couple of whistles being blown during soccer games and didn't react terribly, either. I just have to keep my spirits high and not stress out.  I admit, it's kind of hard to focus on agility with my cat not feeling well, but maybe I'll finally be able to relax and just welcome the trial as a place to have fun rather than as a place to get nervous.

23 comments:

AC November 5, 2010 at 6:37 PM  

Sam, so sorry to hear about Layla. Paws crossed for her and good thoughts your way. That's so stressful but it sounds like you've got a plan to hold onto for a few days. Hoping for only good news to come.

Cyndi and Stumpy November 5, 2010 at 6:43 PM  

it's weird to say, but I hope layla has an ear infection!

Good luck tomorrow. Be sure to have fun, no matter what!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! November 5, 2010 at 7:12 PM  

We are with Stumpy and her human on this one!

Go Layla
Go Marge
Go Sam
!!!!!!!!

Dexter November 5, 2010 at 7:36 PM  

Sending good thoughts your way. I understand not wanting to go to the big hospital. It is a scary place and heart breaking to talk to the other owners in the waiting room. I hope she improves on her own, but we'll keep you all in our thoughts.

Mango Momma

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ November 5, 2010 at 7:56 PM  

It would be wonderful if it is just an ear infection - Paws crossed for it to be a simple fix. Lots of luck to you in the trial tomorrow.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Chris and Ricky November 5, 2010 at 9:11 PM  

I hope Layla just has an ear infection too. Fingers crossed. Hang in there. Good luck at the trial! Hope you can relax and have fun.

Love your header photo!

Dawn November 5, 2010 at 9:38 PM  

Here's hoping it's an ear infection that is already getting better!

Good luck and have fun tomorrow!!

Frankie Furter and Ernie November 5, 2010 at 10:10 PM  

OH Poor Layla, I have my paws crossed tight and will send some of my healing VIBES>>>>>>>. I am sure it is just an ear infection. OK???

Wyatt November 5, 2010 at 11:26 PM  

Get well soon Layla! Hope you are up on all 4 paws real soon.

Wyatt

houndstooth November 5, 2010 at 11:36 PM  

Hopefully Layla does just have an ear infection or vestibular disease.

It sounds like you and Marge are set to have a great trial weekend!

Lorenza November 6, 2010 at 12:35 AM  

I really hope it is an ear infection!
Paws crossed here for her!
Good luck at the trial!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Dog_geek November 6, 2010 at 7:05 AM  

Add my good thoughts for Layla - I hope it turns out to be something that is easy to treat! And good luck at the trial!

Sara November 6, 2010 at 7:29 AM  

I'm sorry to hear about Layla. I think you made the right choice in waiting for more testing.

Good luck at the trial today. I hope things go well for you and Marge.

Kathy Mocharnuk November 6, 2010 at 10:12 AM  

GOOD LUCK at the trial, remember lots of deep breaths and relaxation for the human member of the team, LOL, you guys will do great!

Hope the antibiotics work, so unfair for little kitties to have to go through all of this ;-(

Diana November 6, 2010 at 10:36 AM  

I hope its just the ear infection too!

Maybe you should have taken Marge over the the trial site without running so she could just get use to things. Not stay long and just do happy non-agility things with her and then go home. Just a thought. Diana

Anonymous November 6, 2010 at 10:46 AM  

Here's hopin like crazy that her issues are from the ear infection XOX

Waggin at ya and keepin ya in my happy healthy thoughts,
Roo

Sue November 6, 2010 at 12:34 PM  

Good luck at the trial. We're thinking about you, Marge and Layla.

George The Lad November 6, 2010 at 4:00 PM  

Thanks for the update, are paws are crossed for you both, and hope the trial goes well
Jan and George xxx

Anonymous November 7, 2010 at 3:46 PM  

Hi Miss Sam. Sorry I've been away. Gosh, I'm sorry to hear that Layla isn't feeling so swell. My paws are crossed and double crossed that it's nothing more than one of those icky ear infections. She's a Most Beautiful kitteh and I know how much she means to you.

I hope everything went okay at the trial. Guess what mom has me signed up for? Canine freestyle dancing! Isn't that just the funniest thing you ever heard? But, well, I have to admit that I got rhythm.

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

KB November 7, 2010 at 6:10 PM  

I'm still sending good thoughts to Layla. I'm rooting for an ear infection as hard as I can.

I hope that you and Marge had a ton of fun today at the trial!

tula monstah November 8, 2010 at 12:59 AM  

Paws khrossed for Layla- always hard to know what to do. hoping. wishing. it's an ear infection too:)

Marge do good! woot woot!

tula

Kari in Alaska November 8, 2010 at 6:54 PM  

we will keep sending good thoughts. I sure hope its just an ear infection

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

Never Say Never Greyhounds November 8, 2010 at 7:38 PM  

Glad Layla is doing better. Enjoy your trial break!

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