I'm glad to hear that you all arrived safely at the hospital & Snoopy is
in good hands now. Prayers & positive thoughts for Snoopy. I'll check
later for more news.
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I'm glad to hear that you all arrived safely at the hospital & Snoopy is
in good hands now. Prayers & positive thoughts for Snoopy. I'll check
later for more news.
Checking on Snoopy. Thinking about you guys and still saying prayers.
i spoke to amy at noon-ish today. she and diana were at the osu vet school waiting while snoopy was having his ultrasound done. it's my understanding that the bio-enzymes and the belly tap were not done, so i don't have too much info except that they're waiting, so we're still thinking of them.
yup I just talked to Amy and its the same story.Quote:
Originally Posted by joycenalex
nothing yet.
K phred it's your turn to call them! They've been waiting on you! ;):p
Still thinking of Snoopy and hoping to hear something good soon.
Thinking of you all!!
Prayers for Snoopy and you all!{{hugs}}
:)
Sorta GOOD NEWS on Snoopy!! ;)
Just talked to "Mom" at 2:00 pm ...
She & Amy are doing the *wait* thing - the Docs are promising a 2:30 Meeting
to go over the test results and present a Treatment Plan.
The preliminary "word" that was sent out is that this inflammation isn't "as bad"
as they feared it was - the fluid build-up doesn't test as "bad stuff" -
and it may all be treatable with just a change of medications. :)
The Docs want to wean him OFF the Pheno-barb stuff - that's what's making hin
a staggering drunk ... a med change might clear up a lot of his problems.
For right now - there's NO Plan for Sir Jury :) :) -
possible exception - a liver biopsy --- to be decided soon.
There's a good possibility all THREE of 'em will be headed back Home together!
THANKS, God!!
Note: Please keep the Prayers coming - Snoop's not quite "Fixed" yet!
:D
I guess I don't come into the health section very often. So I'm just seeing this (after Snoopy being referred to on Woody's thread).
Please know you are all in my thoughts as well, and I hope you keep getting better news. :)
Still sending prayers out for Snoopy :)
That sounds a bit more positive! Still thinking of you Snoopy and keeping pawsies crossed
Phred, that does sound promising. :) Hope all the testing will give more
answers for Snoopys health. Prayers & good thoughts continue. If you
talk to Amy & Diana again, please give them our cyber (((Hugs))). Liz. :)
:(
:(
Mom called a while ago as we were steppin out ... sorry this is delayed a bit.
The overall diagnosis has changed - and not for the good. :(
Seems poor Snoopy has some serious liver damage.
The liver biopsy, costing an outrageous $2,000.00 - couldn't be performed till next Tuesday -
why so long a wait I don't know. But the kicker to that is the Docs don't know if the biopsy
would really tell them anything.
Last word I heard on The Plan for Snoop was that he'd stop taking the Pheno-barb stuff
and replace that with a less damaging to his liver drug - with "neat" side effects:
* possibility of explosive diarrhea
* more sleepiness
* BUTT - he'll be able to walk in a straight line again ;)
If all went well, Mom and Amy have signed him out and by now they're all headed North for Home.
Sooooo ... it's been good news that there's no Sir Jury required ...
Not so good news thaa "cure" prolly isn't gonna happen.
Snoopy needs a LOT more PT Prayers for Health & Happiness.
{{{HUGS}}} to Mom & Dad, Amy & Ralph, Christy & Sgt Brian, and the Gran Kids (Furry & Skin)
HANG IN THERE, Snoop - We're ALL Rootin fur Ya!!
:)
/s/ the Other Kid
Oh bum!
Thinking of you dear Snoopy
All my love to you, sweet Snoopy. I'm just now finding out about this. Please feel better soon. Your family and we here at PT, love you. Get well soon.
In my thoughts still as well.
Hoping to hear some good news.
Oh Snoopy. :( :( I'm glad you won't need surgery, but I wish the news was better. I can all too well relate with the sleepless nights and anxiety when your pup is not well and needs a trip to ICU.
So many prayers for all. *HUGS*
just talked with Amy and she had just dropped Diana and Snoopy in Findlay and on her way home to Toledo.
She pretty much repeated what Phred had typed.
He is just have a check in about a month with bloodwork.
They all still need prayers!
Well, Snoopers and I are home and Amy is on her way back to Toledo and Ralph and her puppers. I am pretty sure she will be giving all her puppers big hugs when she gets home!
It was quite a roller coaster ride down there. Last night two students and a doctor saw Snoopy and while I was under the impression that we hurried on down there to do the tap and the ultrasound they informed me they were just planning on monitoring him - which kind of made me mad because it is not cheap to keep a dog in ICU overnight in a medical school hospital. Today a different student and doctor saw him and so we got conflicting opinions occasionally. I think are student is a little more optimistic in general than the doctor - she tried to tell us that it was because the doctor was more experienced but I have a feeling that this doctor goes with the worst case scenerio which may be good because obviously if your dog does better, you are happier. Anyway, we found out late in the day that they did do a tap last night and found that the fluid he is holding in his abdomen is from the cells leaking protein becuase the liver is damaged enough not to process so that does not happen.
The student said that they expected to see a very damaged liver but it looked as if only a part of it was damaged and the rest looked okay. She saw that as a positive sign that the changing of the meds would solve most of Snoopy's problems. But the doctor says the ultrasound isn't always accurate and although it looks good, it may not be. And the only way we will know how damaged it is and what is definitely causing the damage is an ultrasound. As Phred said they can't do the ultrasound until next Tuesday and that would cost $2000 - that is added to the $1400 vet visit we had today. And the biopsy may only show that what we have decided to do is the best plan anyway.
The only medication that they can change him to from phenobarbital is Keppra - the bad news it will cost $6.00 a day. We will be weaning him off the the phenabarbitol very, very slowly to decrease the chance of his starting more frequent seizures. He will be staying on the potassium bromide.
"Snoopy's incoordination and "drunkenness" may be a side effect of his anti-seizure medications, or it may be secondary to a process called hepatic encephalopathy. This occurs when ammonia builds up in the body due to a decrease in liver function and affects the brain causing a change in mental status. WE are starting Snoopy on several medications (Amoxicillin and lactulose) to help support his liver function. These medications decrease the toxic ammonia that builds up when the liver is not functioning. A low protein diet will also help decrease the ammonia that builds up in the body."
So we are now also adding other meds and changing foods which they fear may also make him have more seizures. One of the meds given in the dose the dr.wanted would have also cost us $6.00 a day! (I love Snoopy very,very much but there is no way I can afford close to $500 a month on meds and food. Plus the lactulose is the one that can cause the explosive diahrea ( it is also the one that would cost the other $200 a month.)
With two small children and 8 other dogs in the house, increased seizures and explosive diahrea will be most lilkely more than we can handle. And it does nothing for Snoopy's quality of life as more frequent seizures leads to even more frequent seizures. Some tough - almost impossible - decisions may be ahead for us.
So what we have decided is to take it day by day, week by week. I have paid for the first month's meds and we will be on a wait and see plan. How much it helps, how Snoopy handles it, how much stress it adds to our household, etc. If we can find some hidden stash of cash that can aid in his meds. (you know buried treasure or an antique thats worth millions or a lottery ticket by the way we never buy).
So that is where we are. Please pray for out big guy - the next weeks could be very difficult on him.
BIGG {{{HUGS}}}, Mom!Quote:
Originally Posted by 4 Dog Mother
BIGG {{{Prayers}}}, too.
Feel BETTER, Snoopy!! ;)
/s/ the Other Kid
Just a quick update to let everyone know I made it home, and to thank you for the continued thoughts and prayers.
Diana, I have not been around much, lately, and I had no idea what was going on with Snoopy. :( I know this is a tough situation for you all. Snoopy and you all will be in my prayers.
diana, i'm with you on the costs. as much as i love alex, and over the last 11 years i've spent immense sums, there is no way i could pay that type of money for out of pocket medicines costs. i have to pay for shelter, living and work expenses. and while i know osu vet school is very good, i' always surprised by the final costs, almost as much as an human hospital, and it's not pay in portions for in-state residents. sleep sweet, ear skritchies to all the furries
Snoopy is in our prayers and will stay there. Poor guy, he's such a sweetheart, and he's had such a hard time since the seizures started increasing. I hear you about the $$$, some of those tests are unbelievably :eek: expensive. :( Hopefully the changes in meds will help. Please plant a few big smooches on his spotty little head for us.
What is the dosage on the Keppra? I think it was 1 pill in the morning and one in the evening, but what size tables are they (how many mg of medicine?)
I'm glad he's home with you Diana.
{{{HUGS}}}
Prayers for Snoopy are on the way!
Amy, Snoopy is on 500 mg tablets of Keppra twice aday. The price doesn't seem to be much different in Canada.
I waited to start the meds this morning. I just would prefer that I was monitoring him for the first time. So far he is acting very drugged and drinking and peeing ALOT. In fact twice so far he has not been able to make it out. He has eaten a little but mostly just the canned new food which is just a small percentage of what he is suppose to get. He is very unsteady on his feet. Actually at this point, he can barely walk without falling all over. All this is very sad to see such a vital, active dog at this point. And of course, he wants to be with me constantly - if I go to another room, so does he. With the kids and all the dogs here it is very hard to stay in one spot very long. Poor, poor Snoopy!
Oh Diana, what a heartbreaking situation. :( I am still sending up strong
prayers for Snoop and all the family too. I am so sorry he feels so bad.
(((Hugs))) from Indy.
oh Diana -
:(
give Snoopy a big gentle hug for me...
Poor Snoopy. :( Prayers for both him and your entire family. {hugs}
:( :( :( (((Big Hugs))) to you! My RB dog, Ashley, was on Phenobarb for years for her seizures. She ultimately succumbed to "liver issues" most likely as a result of her years on Phenobarb. The medication had controlled her seizures 100% and allowed her to live a good life and for that I am grateful. Her liver was extremely enlarged on x-ray and I chose to not go further (biopsy). She was 14 years old and had lived a wonderful life. I just want you to know that, no matter whatever choices you need to make in the days ahead, you have all of our love and support.
Diana I can't imagine how stressful this is on all of you right now. It just break my heart:(
I'll be continuing to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers (I hope you find that buried treasure;))
Many (((HUGS))) to you, your family and the furkids...especially dear sweet Snoopy.
Anna
Prayers for Snoopy and for all of you from RI!
Poor Snoopy. :(
Oh Diana,
My heart goes out to you. I know all dogs are active, but with Snoopy being part Dally, I can just imagine how active he is!!!!!
{{{{{gentle hugs}}}}} to Snoopy, and {{{{{great big BEAR hugs}}}}}} to you.
Diana, I am just now reading through this thread for the first time. I am so very sorry that Snoopy is so ill. :( I agree 100% with what Pam has said, and I support whatever you feel you need to do for your dear Snoopy!
Please give him hugs and pets for me!
HUGS TO YOU!
Kim
Checking in and letting you know that I'm thinking about Snoopy and you.
I wish there was something that I could do to help. All I can offer right now is some very big long distance hugs.
{{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}
I'm assuming no news is good news -
you are all in my thoughts.
Thinking of you Diana, Snoopy and the rest of the crew!!!
I have to say I work with good people...everyone here was definatly more concerned about the Snoopy then the fact that I took off work on Friday. Even one of my clients would ask questions abut her project, but then she would change the topic back to Snoopy and how he was doing.
Hope things are going well and that Snoopy is doing okay. Did you take him off the phenobarb yet, or are you waiting until this weekend?
I am not sure how Snoopy is doing. He sleeps most of the time, gets up drinks water, goes out to pee and begins the cycle again. It is very hard to get him to eat and I would say he is eating a 1/4 of what he should be. His belly is still full of fluid but he does not seem to be as clumsy as he was.
In reference to what Amy said about taking him off phenabarbital. My vet's office has been wonderful. They called on Saturday to see how Snoops and I were doing. I told the vet tech what medicine they had put him on and asked if they could do some research for me. She said sure - that they were there to support us in anything we needed. A couple hours later one of the vets called - the vet that normally handles Snoopy is away at a conference so Dr. James called and was so very nice. She had looked up Keppra and said that what she found indicated it worked better given 3 times a day - so we worked out a schedule for that. I told her how out of it Snoopy was - poor guy could barely walk with both medications in him. The research she had done told her that Keppra begins working right away so she felt we should take Snoopy off Phenabarbital immediately and also the Potassium Bromide because it also is hard on the liver. So his last dose of those meds was Sunday morning. He is still sleeping alot, still drinking and peeing and still not eating much but he is much more alert and not so clumsy. He has been able to jump up on things without losing his balance and falling backward or off even.
Giving him the Keppra 3 times a day is obviously going to depete our month's supply quicker but in the meantime, the vet's office is going to look at other alternatives that maybe won't cost as much. I feel very lucky that this vet and his partner took over this practice about 2 years ago. The last vet was very good but I don't think she would have gone to the extra effort they are to find a way to help.
So for now Snoopy is holding his own. He is a very different dog - so subdued, quiet, and sleepy. Those who have met Snoopy would not think it was the same dog. We had company last night and he did not even pay any attention to them - all he wanted was me to be near him. It is very, very sad to see Snoopy brought so low. I just hope we can get the old Snoopy back.