Copper's Vet Visit -- June 15, 2007

Today Copper had an appointment to get checked over. They gave him a rest between chemo treatments because he had not been responding to the medications. However, the one he had last week did work, and the bump on his nose is a lot smaller, as is the lymphnode on the side of his jaw.

However, Copper has a very low blood platelet count. platelets are responsible for sealing any leaks in the blood vessels. When platelet counts are low, spontaneous bleeding can occur. Low platelet counts indicate bleeding or excessive destruction of platelets caused by parasites or immune diseases. The vet is very concerned about this for if he hurts himself, he spontaneous bleeding could occur. He is not allowed to go to the dog park and must watch what he does. The vet doesn't want him doing anything that could hurt him. Good thing I have ramps around the house. She said we'd look at them again next week. Hopefully the platelet count will fix itself on its own. She told me that they cannot add platelets to his blood.

Other than that, Copper is doing very well. He got to eat some chicken McNuggets on the way home from the vet visit, and as always, while he was at the hospital, he charmed everyone in the waiting room.