Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Wigglers - And An Important Message From Tsar

My dogs are enrolled in the Georgie Project which is a research project to find answers to some medical problems that plague not only Portuguese Water Dogs, but all dogs. They're looking for the causes and cures for such diseases as Addisons, Cancer and autoimmune diseases. One of the ways we  contribute to the project is with blood samples. Today was the day we had decided to get the blood drawn on the eight Porties.

The day got off to a bad start. Drawing blood meant no breakfast this morning. I had ten very unhappy dogs on my hands and they didn't hesitate to tell me about it.

We planned to make two trips with four dogs each trip. So we loaded the first four "volunteers" into the car and headed for All Creatures. Bailey and Tess waited noisily in the car while we took Lola and Norma Jean in the clinic. Dr B decided to do the blood draws himself and I was aghast when I saw that the project wanted five tubes of blood from each dog. I thought they might faint from weakness. We put Lola on the table and the doctor was able to get one tube filled before she started wiggling. He tried again, but no go.

Because my dogs are very active and standing still long enough for five tubes of blood to be drawn is impossible, we decided to try another approach. Dr B said to give each dog 15mg of valium and wait 30 minutes. He said that would quiet them and make them drowsy enough to accomplish our mission. We took them home, gave each one a dose of valium and waited 30 minutes, then headed back to the clinic.


There was absolutely no effect from the valium. They didn't get drowsy and they still wiggled on the table so much that we gave up on the blood draw idea. Instead, as each one goes in for dental cleanings or cyst removals, we'll draw blood while they're under sedation. Everyone came home and had breakfast.

So much for good intentions.


Reilly has come up with a good idea. He's setting up a mailing list for dogs with blogs so that we can send cards or letters or even packages with treats inside. If you go over to his blog you can read all about it and join if you want. Our Mom keeps a notebook with names, addresses and blog sites, but sometimes she forgets to write one down. Then when she starts looking for an address, papers start flying around and sometimes bad words are heard. An online mailing list sounds like a good idea to us so that Mom doesn't lose her cool.




Now this is very important!! Tomorrow is June 1. That means you only have nine days to get your pictures to us for Bandana Day. It's really easy, here's what you have to do.


1. Dress up in something green.
2. Have your human take your picture.
3. Email the picture to us at    wilcoxhall@ymail.com
4. In your email tell us your name, state or country you live in and your blog or web address.


That's it. How easy is that? On June 10 our Mom will help us post the pictures with your name and country. When people click on your name they'll be able to visit your blog and tell you how beautiful or handsome you are. Maybe you can make some new friends and get to visit new places.
Don't forget. There's only a few days left!

22 comments:

Marjie said...

I would never have started out to get blood drawn from 8 wiggly dogs on one day. You are much braver than I am!

I'm working on Thor's green thing. Really, I am. He wouldn't ever want to fail to participate in PWD Day!

Molly the Airedale said...

YIKES! No breakfast and they want TONS of blood! You guys are very brave!
We sent you our "green" photo last night. Did it come through okay?

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Two French Bulldogs said...

Oh poor baby...
Benny & Lily

Dexter said...

VAMPIRES! EEEEE! No wonder you wiggled. Gosh, and no high from the valium? What a waste.

Slobbers,
Mango

Barbara said...

I'm sorry, but I couldn't sit thru five vials myself! Poor pups!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Wow, that's a lot of blood to try to get. And to try to do it 8 times!!! We think the dental route sounds a lot easier.

We forgot about Bandana Day. Mom says she will try but no promises.

We sre on the mailing list - great idea.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

You have to be impressed that valium didn't do a thing to quiet the wriggles. For a lot of doggies, just a Benedryl will knock us out. But not to slow down for a valium - that's a pretty tough constitution. I have to admire that. Probably Plan B is the best way to go there.

Stella said...

My Mom is working on my Green thing, and we will send it off to you soonish!

Sorry for all your blood draw troubles, but one draw is enough for me!

Kisses,
Stella

Sam said...

I'm surprised that the Valium didn't make a difference. Though I'm usually not a fan of it, I wonder if Acepromazine would have zonked them out?? Regardless, your intentions were good and the blood will be drawn eventually.

I'll try my hardest to find something green for Marge to wear. Hopefully, her new neon green martingale leash will have arrived by then..

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We have our bandannas ready! Just need to take a picture.

Can't believe valium didn't work...and i don't think we would be still for FIVE vials of blood either.

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Dawn said...

Seeing the needle and blood really made me squirm and have the chills....such great pups!

Sheltie Times said...

Wow how brave. We aren't crazy about even one vial.

-Katy & Bailey

SissySees said...

Valium and Xanax amp Gretchen up, so I'm not too surprised it didn't impact your pack.

Finally have our green garb ready. Sissy will require two takes - of course - because the green she likes best isn't green, but purple and green plaid, but I found a green she'll wear...

Lapdog Creations said...

Love the green theme!!! :)

bbes tribe said...

We agree with Mango--Vampires - no wonder they wouldn't hold still.
That is a lot of blood! It will be less scary when they are napping while having teeth cleaned.
Good luck everyone
Ernie,Chica,Lucas,Chica

booahboo said...

You poor fellas.. that's a LOT of blood to take from all of you. No wonder there were a lot of wriggling around. Buts yous all are the bravest porties around. I don't even like to go to the vet. They are scaryyyyyyy...

I hear you Tsar... we'll be emailing it to yous soon :) we just got our picture done today. We almost forgot. hehe

Dommy

booahboo said...

I am GLAD that they didn't get your bloods.. hehhehehehehe.. maybe next time.

Krista/Ruca said...

I have two Portuguese Water Dog friends, Elvis and Sagres and I'm sure they wouldn't sit still for five vials of blood to be taken either, valium or no valium. In fact, I'm not sure even a sharp blow to the noggin' would slow them down - not that I'm suggesting that you try that!

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

FIVE vials of blood! These people realize they're working with dogs, right? If just eating would taint the blood samples, what will anesthesia do to them? Seems to us they should figure out a way to work with one vial of blood per dog at a time. It's very good of you all to volunteer to help with this research.

Jed & Abby

Beyond the Dog Dish said...

We will have to see what we can up with for Green Bandana Day! YIKES we only have one day...

FiveSibesMom said...

You are so brave and courageous to volunteer. Ouch...five vials...yep, so very brave!

We Emailed our green pic. Thanks so much for doing that...what a great and fun idea!

Dianne said...

Five tubes? It's hard enough for ME to keep still for multiple tubes when I am getting my own bloodwork... The dogs? I would be amazed if any dog could stay still long enough for two tubes, let alone five.

P.S. Is it wrong that I giggled a little bit when I was picturing you at the vet with 4 PWDS, trying to keep them still????