Blaze (Dixie's brother) is not eating

[Dixieland Dancer]

Blaze - Dixie's brother has not eaten in about 3 days now but he seems just fine otherwise. He just won't eat. Then when he does eat a few bites, he throws up or it comes out as diarrhea. He was taken to the vet yesterday and they could not find anything wrong. Blood test results are due back late today or tomorrow. He was checked for a blockage but none was found.

Blaze belongs to Kathi and Bob who just lost Dixie's Aunt Jazz in March of 2002 to cancer. They are scheduled to leave on a cruise for vacation this Sunday and are contemplating canceling it. They just don't know what to do yet.

Please send up special prayers on behalf of this wonderful boy!

Here is a picture of him taken just a few weeks ago on his 5th birthday.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/pb600a30f43a7141253b49b60e65fcc20/fcbc660c.jpg

Thanks.
Candy

[Sudilar]

Blaze is such a gorgeous guy! Prayers coming his way. Please keep us updated.

[lovemyshiba]

My thoughts and prayers are with Blaze and his family. I sure hope the vet finds something out, or he starts eating again--my parents lost a Golden a few years ago, and my stepmother still can't look at them without a tear in her eye.
Please let us know how everything turns out.

[trisha0503]

Blaze will be in my thoughts and prayers :( I hope he feels better soon...

Candy - I saw this picture that you posted under Dog General.


Originally posted by Dixieland Dancer

Puppy power! From bottom to top Aunt Jazz, Blaze, Dixie, Dusty, Sammi, Rodney, Casey, Ruby and Crystal!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p4d46925b5de309b43209fbb406c0ab8d/fcc78a9c.jpg

It's bittersweet to see this picture.. jazz looks so vibrant and so alert in this picture :(

Please keep us updated ..

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by trisha0503
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p4d46925b5de309b43209fbb406c0ab8d/fcc78a9c.jpg

It's bittersweet to see this picture.. jazz looks so vibrant and so alert in this picture :(



Very bittersweet because only a couple weeks after this picture is when she started to really go downhill. It is still bittersweet for Kathi and Bob to see Dixie because if you look real close you will see a remarkable likeness in the two of them. And as Dixie gets older, she continues to look more and more like Aunt Jazz. It is very ironic. ;)

[anna_66]

We're still praying that everything is A-OK with Blaze.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Dixieland Dancer
Blaze belongs to Kathi and Bob...
They are scheduled to leave on a cruise for vacation
this Sunday and are contemplating canceling it.
They just don't know what to do yet.

Blaze...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/pb600a30f43a7141253b49b60e65fcc20/fcbc660c.jpg


Hey Candy ~

Is there any way YOU could arrange to either Blaze-sit and/or board him close to your home while his Folks go on their cruise??

Being ill with an unknown problem, I can understand your not wanting him to mingle with your FurKids...
But is there a way to "keep" him but not too close to Dixie & Dusty? If they were going to board him anyway - doing it close to YOUR home would allow you to check on his health AND get him to a good Vet if he started feeling badly.

Just an idea...

Hope ya Feel Better SOON, Blaze! :D

[tatsxxx11]

I'm so sad to hear this Candy. Kathi and Bob went through so much with the loss of Aunt Jazz. I hope they can get to the cause of his problem very soon. They must be over wrought with worry. Phred offered a great suggestion. I hope it all works out before the crusie. The important thing is that Blaze get better. I'll be praying for gorgeous Blaze, Kathi and Bob.

[primabella]

i hope that blaze gets better soon :(

[lizbud]

Blaze & his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
He is a beautiful dog & I hope the vets can correct this
problem soon. Good luck on blood tests results for Blaze.

[wolf_Q]

I hope that Blaze will be ok and it's nothing serious! He's such a handsome dog, with a family that loves him. Let us know what you find out with the bloodtests!

Sometimes Nebo will go a day or 2 without eating anything, or just eating a little bit. I think sometimes he just doesn't feel like eating, because he acts fine. But this has never also had throwing up or diarrhea.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke


Hey Candy ~

Is there any way YOU could arrange to either Blaze-sit and/or board him close to your home while his Folks go on their cruise??

Being ill with an unknown problem, I can understand your not wanting him to mingle with your FurKids...
But is there a way to "keep" him but not too close to Dixie & Dusty? If they were going to board him anyway - doing it close to YOUR home would allow you to check on his health AND get him to a good Vet if he started feeling badly.

Just an idea...

Hope ya Feel Better SOON, Blaze! :D


I did volunteer to keep him and his sister Indee (7 months) with me while they are gone. Since Indee is kind of in that rambuncous puppy stage and is use to having Bob home all day, they wanted to make arrangements with someone who would be home more during the day. They got one of the SAR members lined up. But now that Blaze is not feeling well they are considering spliting them up and letting Blaze come to my house. We use the same vet (who just happens to be Kathi's brother) so getting him there is no problem if it is necessary.

I just think they would not have peace of mind being gone if he doesn't start to show some sign of improvement.

He is back at the vet today for more tests. His blood work came back normal. They are going to do some more detailed tests to see if there is a blockage of some sort.

[Albea]

Prayers and get well wishes on their way to Blaze from a Golden girl and her mom.

[Dixieland Dancer]

UPDATE: Blaze is having a barium enema to light up his insides so they can take a closer look to see if there is a blockage. He is still not eating and is starting to get lethargic. :(

[anna_66]

:( Oh poor guy. Praying hard here, hoping he starts eating soon.
{{{{HUGS}}}} to Blaze & his family.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh, poor Blaze:( I hope the B.E. gives them some idea of what's going on. Hoping for the best and sending prayers your way, sweet Blaze, Kathi and Bob.

[Sudilar]

Thinking about poor Blaze! Get well quick, Sweetie!

[captain]

Fingers crossed for you Blaze! Get well soon sweetheart!

[trisha0503]

I wish Blaze gets better soon :(

Don't we sometimes wish our furbabies could talk? They could be in pain, but they don't complain... Something could be bothering them , but they can't tell us which one... :(

I'll also be praying for Kathi and Bob... This must be very hard for them.. We know how each other feels when our furkid is sick :(

Hugs from Rosebel , Missy and Toby

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Dixie how is Blaze doing, is he eating better yet? Have they found the reason why he doesn't want to eat? Hope he is doing well by now.
Jackie

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

Yes Candy, please give us an update on Blaze's condition!

[Sudilar]

Awaiting news....hope it's good.

[Dixieland Dancer]

The latest I heard was last night. The Barium was taking forever to get through the bowel. They did 3 different X-rays but it had not gone far enough to determine anything. He was to go back in this morning to have another X-ray and possibly exploratory surgery. I will update everyone when we know more.

Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

[Sudilar]

Prayers continuing.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I emailed this update to the Prayer Pawtrol.


Update on Blaze:

There is still no news on what is wrong with Blaze. He still is not eating. Yesterday they gave him a Barium solution to highlight his insides. X-rays came back normal. It took forever but it reached all the way to his Colon by this morning. They did another X-ray and again nothing. All his blood work came back fine. He has even been acting ok (although a little lethargic due to not eating). They did exploratory surgery this morning and didn't find anything there either. I thought for sure he had a blockage but they didn't find any.

He is now on intravenous fluids but will be coming home tonight around 7:00 pm. Kathi is a basket case as you all can imagine. I am also in tears. We are talking about a very bright and naturally vibrant young boy! He is only 5 years old.

I thank you all for your prayers and ask that you continue (in double time if possible). Prayer that they can find out what is causing him to not eat.

[K9karen]

Oh Candy... a gazillion prayers for Blaze..having recently gone through the unknown, I feel the pain and anxiety and heart-pounding worry... I grasped at everything-.sense of smell, taste, sore throat... Thank God Cody didn't get as far as a B.E . or exploratory surgery!!! Poor Kathi and Bob!! I'm so upset for them too. Blaze is just a baby. I promise I'll pray as hard as I can, with all my might, that a reason is found and that Blaze starts to eat! What a spectacular GR family! {HUGS}}

[Sudilar]

PLEASE, Blaze, please eat.

Love,
Killi

[trisha0503]

Candy,

We'll continue to pray for Blaze :(

I tried to do some research in the internet .. And all the symptoms match the Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in Dogs (dogs refuse to eat, vomiting or abnormal bowel movement)... And the diagnosis matches also the diagnosis that was done to Blaze by his vet. Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies in DOgs (http://www.petplace.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=2566) .. I hope and pray that the vet will be able to determine the problem :(

Can't imagine the pain and frustrations that Kathi and Bob are feeling right now :( Wish we could do something to help them...

{{HUGS}}

[ChrisH]

Sending prayers and positive thoughts for Blaze to be well again.

Chris

[KYS]

It's so nerve racking when the vets
can't find anything wrong, and it's obvious that
their is.
I know dogs can't talk, so if the tests show
negative it's hard for a vet sometimes to determine the problem.
I will send many prayers that Blaze will be ok.

[lizbud]

Prayers & very best hopes that a cause is found & the healing
can start for Blaze. It's so hard to just "seem to stand by"
when you can see that Blaze is acting so different & not know
exactly whats going on. Prayers also for the vets who are
treating him.

[anna_66]

How frustrating this must be. I hope he will start eating again, and soon!
Sending more prayers & {{{{HUGS}}}}

[Sudilar]

Is Blaze any better today?? Still praying.

[trisha0503]

I'm also always looking at this thread to see if there's any update on Blaze :( I wish him well ...

[Dixieland Dancer]

Blaze is at the vets now getting feed intravenous. Hopefully there will be some word about what is going on soon. Still nothing!

It is so hard when I look at Dixie and realize her brother is going through such a difficult time. I am truly blessed.

Thanks for continued prayers and support!

[Sudilar]

Thanks for the update. Still praying.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Candy, this is heartbreaking and nerve wracking. I'm praying so hard they find out what's wrong with him. Prayers continue; please God help this precious boy recover.

[K9karen]

A gazillion more prayers for Blaze....Hope the white coats will find the problem soon so that he can be cured in no time.....A pupster not eating is like a day without sunshine!:(

[lovemyshiba]

I hope they can find something soon. Poor Blaze:(
At least he is being fed intraveneously, so maybe he can regain some strength.
Keeping him in my prayers still, as well as his family.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Blaze was back at the vets today for more intravenous fluids. They are testing him also for Addison's disease. The vet thinks that may be what he has. Test results will not be back until Monday or Tuesday.

I took over some Natural Balance dog food (Dick VanPatten makes it in a roll) and Blaze finally ate some. Actually he devoured it. I read up a little on Addison's and after a couple days of intravenous feedings the dogs seem to get their appetite back so I don't know if he was finally hungry or just loved this food. Whatever it was, Kathi and Bob (and me) were very happy!

Kathi's brother is the vet so he is going to stay with them while they go on the cruise since he is finally eating. That way they can continue feeding intravenous if needed. Besides, he will be able to start treatments if it is Addison's immediately.

For those who are unfamiliar with this little known dog disease.... It is an immune problem with the adreanal glands. The closest correlation I can give is similar to diabetes. Untreated it is fatal but with life long medications it is manageable. If this is what he does have then it will very expensive to keep him healthy but he will live! This disease shows its self more in males than females and usually between 4 and 7 years of age.

Let's keep praying it is just a viral thing or something like that but if it's not atleast he will survive!

I will keep you all updated as I get more info.

[KYS]

Thank you for the update.
I will continue to be thinking/praying for Blaze.

[Sudilar]

Glad he is feeling better and eating!! I've seen that VanPatten food and wondered if it was any good.

Hope it isn't Addison's but if it is, I'm glad it is manageable. Give Blaze a hug for us and tell Kathi and Bob, "Bon Voyage!"

[lizbud]

Candy,

It's good to hear that Blaze is eating again. Let us know what
any tests reveal about possible Addison's disease. I hope that
as long as this is a manageable condition, Blaze can be helped
back to a more normal life. Please update when you hear any
results. Keep on chowing down Blaze & start feeling better
real soon. :)

[trisha0503]

I'm so glad Blaze is eating again:) I hope he continues to eat and the vet can finally detect what's really wrong with him :( I hope it's just something viral, but whatever it is, as long as it's manageable, then I guess is thould be ok...

I hope Bob and Kathi enjoy their vacation :)

We'll keep Blaze in our thoughts and prayers:) thanks Candy for the update!

[anna_66]

I'm so glad to hear he is eating again:D

I really hope it isn't this disease, but something viral instead, but no matter what I just want him & his owners to be happy & together!

I'm also glad to hear he is doing well enough now that they are going on their cruise!

[Cookiebaker]

So glad to hear that Blaze is eating again...I was thinking about him this morning, and came to see if there was an update. Hope he's back to normal again very soon!!

[K9karen]

Whew! Thank God for small wonders!! To see Blaze eat had to be a ton of your chest and nerves! I'd hate to think it is Addison's Disease, but if so, it's marvellous that it can be kept under control and treated these days...Oh the Wonders of Vet Science! I hope that Kathi and Bob can enjoy their much needed cruise in comfort.- they certainly deserve it!!! Candy, hope this didn't deter from your new adventure too much!!! Happy {hugs} to all!!

[DoggiesAreTheBest]

This is great news!

[Logan]

Eating is a good thing, Candy, and I'm so happy you took him something he loved!!! Keep us posted on his progress. :)

Logan

[Sudilar]

Hope you're still eating. Blaze!

[lovemyshiba]

I'm so happy to hear that Blaze has begun eating again!!!
Prayers from me that it is just something viral, but it is good news that even if it is a disease, it is manageable!!
I hope they enjoy their cruise!!

[K9karen]

Candy..How's Super Blaze doing?

[Dixieland Dancer]

I was suppose to get an email from Kathi from the ship letting me know but haven't as of yet. :rolleyes:

The vet (even though I know him) can't release any info until Kathi gets home since she didn't tell him I could call for info. Patient confidentiality??? :rolleyes:

I'll let everyone know when I hear.

[Sudilar]

Doesn't the vet know that there are hundreds of people awaiting news?
Hoping that the news is good and it's worth the wait!! Still praying!

[tatsxxx11]

I'm with Sue...we'll be on pins and needles, staying optimistic and hopeful, until we hear. Heartfelt prayers continue for beautiful Blaze and family.