Very sick Preacher..Updated page 2

Not that there's ever a good time for a furkid to be sick, but this time of year seems even worse, especially when I am supposed to be getting on a plane in 48 hours.

Sunday Preacher seemed to be his normal self. He's 13, hypothyroid and blind so he's not as speedy as he once was, but he's still talkative, bossy, and happy.

Monday Preacher refused to eat. Preacher never refuses dinner, snacks, treats, whatever he'll eat it! He was awfully quiet. He has a very distinctive, very loud half howl-half bark that echos for miles!

Tuesday, still no noise, still refusing food. I tried every treat in the house, every kind of meat and kibble, even canned cat food and he wouldn't take a nibble. I called and talked to my vet who didn't seem overly concerned as Preacher was still drinking and hadn't been vomitting.

I woke up this morning to a porch covered in bright green bile. Preacher was still refusing food and not drinking now. So off to the vet where he's been all day and will be until tomorrow at least.

Physical exam found nothing--normal temperature, no pain reactions, no sore spots, no stiffness, no nothing! Blood work was normal, in fact it was better than I would have expected for Preacher on a good day! Kidneys, pancreas, liver are all functioning normally. His electrolytes were a little off, but he's dehydrated which explains that part.

Preacher was kind enough to bring up a large amount of bile after the tests were done, so at least the vet could see he really is sick. It's not just that he has a neurotic owner! Abdominal x-rays show a lump at the back end of his stomach. My vet is calling it gastro-entritis for now, but says she's really not sure what the lump is. As a young dog, Preacher did have a habit of eating rocks and other things that he shouldn't, but he hasn't done that in a very long time. It could be a tumor or could just be a very swollen, irrated stomach lining.

Preacher will get a dose of barium tonight and the x-rays will be redone in the morning. Hopefully the barium will clarify whatever the lump is. He is getting IV fluids as well just to get him hydrated again. I'm hoping he can come home tomorrow afternoon, doesn't need surgery and doesn't have cancer!

Oh I am so sorry. I hope they find out what is going on. Stuart will take care of him while your gone, don't worry.

Gosh darn it. What is going on with our PT doggies. :( It's not fair being
sick at Christmas time. Not fair anytime, but especially now. I hope the xrays
show whatever is wrong & Preacher can be easily treated.Prayers from me
for him & for you too.

More prayers going out from NJ. I know it is hard, and I hope that Preacher can come home tomorrow and get better soon.

Hope God haz His WireLess God'sPhone wiff Him!
<ring>

Hi God!

Are You still in Misch-a-gin wiff Chipper?

OK - Good ... Ya gotz Your Down Parka wiffa Halo-Hood anna Mittinz?
An da Silver Klowd Express haz Anti-Freeze, duzin't it?

Great ... Kan You make anudder Hoppsbittle Run tanite onna way back to Heaven?

Need Ya real bad inna Yukon - wunna Miz Glacier's Pups iz feelin badly wiffa nudder
"mystery tummie trubble" - kinda like poor Chipper ...

It's da Ole Kid - Preacher - da always *Hungree* an *Talkative* kid dat
barks phunnie an carries da White Stick ta see wiff.
He's not *talkin* an not *eatin* - Mom Glacier is wurried an parked him at da
White Coat's Place - an they're keepin him! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/eek.gif

An we gotz anudder problemo atta Husky Ranch ...
Miz Glacier iz about ta fly out on her Chrissmas Vakashun Trip frum her Dad -
BIG Trip wiffa Fambily!

We kinda need You to have a *talk* wiff Mr. Stuart ...
try to get him ta RE-assure his Wifey-Mate dat DAD can handle things -
even a sicklie Preacher Pup - whilst Glacier takes her Trip!

We're HOPPIN You can put da *FIX* on Peacher - so Miz Glacier kan have PHUNN
onna Trip and not have to *worrie* bout da Preacher Pup.

Prayers onna Way ... anna Kandils are already burnin!

THANKS, God!

/s/ the Prayer Pups anna Purrayer Kat

I will keep Preacher in my thoughts and prayers.

Poor Preacher- I will keep him in prayers. Please keep us posted...

Oh Preacher boy, not you too!!! *HUGS*

I hope the barium dye and x-rays show the problem and I hope it's not cancer either!

Oh no, not Preacher, he's too old for this stuff. Ok fur angels, calling Sami and brand new fur angel Sebastian and Miko and Trouble and Rascal. We are in serious need of your angel services my dears. Preacher is not doing well and needs your support and assistance to pull thru this. I love you all and miss you dearly - we desperately need your help down here. Please keep Preacher company at the white coats and help his old body fight off this ailment.

Preacher and all the family will be in my thoughts and prayers along with Chipper and family. Feel better Preacher!!! :) There are too many sick doggies at PT :( For Christmas, we want everyone to be well.

Poor old fella. :( Prayers that he will be ok.

Prayers coming your way for a quick recovery!!!!

I hope Preacher is feeling well soon - very soon. And I hope it is nothing but a little upset stomach and he just mysteriously gets better (just as he mysteriously got sick). Good luck!!!

Oh gosh, not another sick PT pup:(

I'm so sorry to hear this is happening, but especially now:( I hope all goes well at the vets today and that it's an easy fix.

You and Preacher will be in our prayers, update when you can!

Prayers for Preacher being sent. And hugs for Glacier & Stuart.

I hope that Preacher is better this morning and the cause of his problem can be found. Bless his heart, and yours. I know you will be able to travel with more joy if you know he is going to be ok.

Logan

Preacher is having surgery this morning. They took the barium enhanced x-ray first thing and discovered that the lump in his stomach isn't the problem. The vet suspects that is just a bit of swelling from all the puking he's been doing. Unfortunately, the barium stops in Preacher's small intestine. It's not clear why it stops, but something is definately blocking it.

So Preacher is first on the surgery list this morning. They are going to go in and find out what is causing the blockage and hopefully remove it. Stuart is out of town, but when I called him at his worksite, he's betting that the blockage is 6 inches of stuffed toy! I like that better than the other options so I'm going with that(or a cat toy) until told otherwise.

On the plus side, Preacher's blood work is, according to the doc, "exceptional" for a dog of his age. That means there is no additional risk to the surgery, beyond the risk that is present with any surgery anytime. He should be able to handle the trauma and process the anasethic just fine.

I will post again when I hear from the doc.

Oh, good to hear that they found a reason - hmmm, stuffie? Cat toy? Stray sock ... I'm not laying bets either way ...

Here's hopeing it's something easily removed & Preacher can continue
to have a good life with the family. Prayers for a successful operation and
quick, easy recovery.

Our fur kids can sure get themselves into trouble by eating the things they do. Preacher is in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure everything will be fine.

all fingers, toes, whiskers and paws crossed that this is a quick fix stuffie that Preacher has gotten in "tronble" with. I am sure it is something along those lines.


Sending tonnes of prayers & good thoughts for Preacher to get fixed up quick and feel better really soon. And some hugs for mommy.

Best of luck to Preacher!!
Keep us posted!

Please see dog memorial

I am closing this thread, see The Preacher Falls Silent