Cocoa Had Blood Work Today

Cocoa Had Blood Work Today

by Elisa Black-Taylor
(USA)

Cocoa had blood work today at the vet. To catch up on my big guy, please see this article.

Cocoa went back to the Electric City Veterinary Clinic on May 2 and we received a more detailed report after the blood work was done. First of all I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to his vet bills. They're not over yet but I'm very hopeful.

Cocoa has lost almost half a pound in the past week, which isn't surprising since he only started eating more with the syringe and on his paw on Thursday.

The vet did a thorough blood workup on Cocoa. The good news is he's not diabetic and most of his levels are good. The vet thinks he's about 7 years old.

The white blood cell count concerned his doctor the most. Here are the abnormalities on his blood work report. I'm not including the letters and numbers after each test because I don't know what they are. Feel free to study these on your own. I'll be looking them up individually later. WBC 27.06 (normal 5.5-19.5), NEU 22.54(normal 2.5-12.5), MONO 1.78(normal 0.15-1.7), TP 9.0(normal 5.7-8.9), GLOB 6.0 (normal 2.8-5.1), LIPA 43 (normal 100-1400 so that one is low)

Cocoa was switched to Clavamox and will go back for a recheck next Monday. If he's doing better he will go thru one more round of the Clavamox. If he does not improve the vet recommends an x-ray of his skull and a nasal flush. The vet and I are both beginning to believe Cocoa can't smell or taste food.

They also retested for FeLV/FIV and he was negative. His doctor had been concerned about that because of his high WBC count

He was a very good boy and also did well on the ride there and back. Lucy also had her staples removed on this visit while she was there. Her surgery was done in Greenville but since I'm limited in my driving since the wreck this was more convenient.

Cocoa's third eyelid is still showing. He does seem to be feeling better and wants to play with toys that dangle. I'm glad no one has suggested keeping him because he's come to trust me and is adjusting well here.

Last night he walked up the side of the bed until he came to rest in my arms.

We don't think he's in any pain but he's getting tired of being poked and prodded.

My greatest hope is he'll be fed enough to get hungry when he doesn't eat and he'll come to enjoy having a full belly.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

Elisa