Bella - One month post treatment update

The good news is that Bella is feeling much better.  She has a healthy appetite and she has actually gained four pounds!  She is now at 26lbs.  We had our one month recheck this week and her level of microfilaria has gone down about 80%!  She got a dose of ivermectin and will almost surely be negative by our next month check up. 

The bad news is that as soon as we tapered down her steroid dose, she started coughing again.  This indicates that she still has a lot of inflammation in her lungs.  We are back on the steroids for the next month.   She is becoming more frustrated because as she regains her energy, she wants more than ever to be able to use it. She still has four weeks of restriction left.  I feel awful for her.  

I just can't say enough good about Bella.  What a trooper she has been through all of this.  She is the most well behaved dog that we have ever fostered.  She never makes a peep.  Although she is forced to spend the majority of her time isolated, she never cries, whines or barks.  She never chews or scratches at the door as most dogs would do if they were separated from the rest of the family so often.  Her self control is amazing and she wants nothing more than to please us. 

If it is in her future to be adopted, she will be a very special addition to a family.  I could picture her as a little girl's companion.  She would be the dog dressed in doll clothes with nail polish on and she would be perfectly content.  She would be a good jogging partner or hiker.  She is extremely smart  and focused so  she could also be great in agility, formal obedience, fly ball or even search and rescue.  One thing that she will absolutely need is to be a real member of the family.   Being "just a dog" will just not be enough. 

Right now, we are thankful that she made it through the most critical time, even with all odds against her.  We will concentrate on getting through the next month and continue to pray for good results on her follow up xrays.  If they show permanent heart or lung damage, we will need to reassess her long term prognosis and plans. 

Thanks again everyone for your kind words of support of our girl.  I wish you could all meet her.  You would all fall in love.