Levi and Lymphangiectasia

Couple of weeks ago Levi went off his food, and this is a dog that doesn't miss a crumb, when he stops eating something is wrong. Bloodwork at the vet confirmed that his protein levels were dangerously low and x-rays showed a mass was present in his abdomen, and we were sent to Medvet for an ultrasound. The ultrasound discovered the mass was fluid, and he was hospitalized while they did further testing. After three days, they determined he has lymphangiectasia, a disease of the intestines. Biopsies are pending, however, its believed this is secondary to protein-losing enteropathy, another disease that affects the intestines. He has to go on a very low fat/high protein food, and is now taking Prednisone, Pepcid AC for ulcers, and a diuretic to reduce the fluid. Doc tells me there is a 50/50 chance the treatment will be effective, if not we can try other foods and meds combinations, but the prognosis would be poor in that case. Poor guy, he's been with me for about a year and a half, approximately three years old. He was found as a stray in Kansas and rescued from the shelter in really bad shape, skinny, matted and filthy, ears fly bitten - he'd been a stray for a while, or completely neglected by his owner. He has terrible scarring on his back legs, we don't know from what, looks like he got caught in a trap or barb wire, and the x-rays also showed that he's been shot at some time, he's full of buckshot. In spite of it all, he is the sweetest dog, he loves everyone, doesn't hold any grudges against anyone, so calm, relaxed and well behaved. He really deserves a break, crossing everything that at his check up in three weeks we find that the treatment is working and his proteins are up.

While worrying about Levi, I finished knitting this project, its an old pattern designed by Herbert Niebling called Lyra. Great project to fill all those scary, tense moments. May enter it in the Ohio State Fair this year, not sure. Used Southmaid thread, size 10, will knit it again someday in a wool as a shawl, its a beautiful pattern and not as difficult to knit as I thought it would be.