We have returned from Dr. Romain's office. His diagnosis is egg peritonitis. We discussed options of euthanasia, aspiration and treating with steroids, or surgery. He gave her a 25% chance at best for surviving surgery and suggested we start by attempting aspiration and seeing what we could learn from that.
He aspirated 90 (yes that's right, nine-zero, ninety!) 12 cc syringes of clear liquid from her body cavity. 1,080 cc's of fluid!! She feels SO MUCH BETTER! He said that the fluid he removed was congruent with the diagnosis of egg peritonitis.
Her breathing has stabilized, her color (she was purple from lack of oxygen starting last night) is back to normal, she has her legs under her body again instead of pushed out to the sides, her good foot is working properly (Doc believed it was a pinched nerve causing the curled toes), and she is actually preening! Now we have to get the calories into her. She weighed only 1.4 kg after removing all of that fluid. Poor girl! She also has electrolytes in her water for now as he cautioned me that she was likely dehydrated.
We are doing a re-check in 2 weeks. If her body responds well to the steroid injections, Doc feels that this would be a most appropriate treatment protocol. Her chance of survival with steroid treatment and occasional aspiration is 100% and gives her back a quality of life. Of course, if she does not respond well to this protocol, we will again discuss surgery. If she lives through the surgery then she will be cured. 25% chance is a big gamble...we will see how she responds to this treament and then go from there. I am much relieved that she is feeling so much better and hoping for the best.
Pamela
