Dogs and Butter...

[Sudilar]

HERE I GO AGAIN!

Watch out for side effects from Metronidazole. Look for yellowing of the eyes, orange urine and severe loss of appetite. Contact your vet immediately if you notice this and mention liver problems. Be sure the vet LISTENS to you. It could be serious. I don't want to scare you. Usually there are no serious side effects, but be aware that it is POSSIBLE.

Sue and Killian and Shiloh

[jennifert]

Thanks ladies! I took him off the medication a few days ago. He didn't finish the 10 days.
I'm still worried about him and I think I need to take some time off from work and get serious with the vet.
His diarrhea is still hanging around. He'll have a regular bowel movement and then a few minutes later, diarrhea.
This morning he showed no interest whatsoever in his food. he just looked at it and went back to lie down.
Something is wrong and I don't know what. I need to call the vet, bring in a stool sample, and get some blood tests done. Enough scr*wing around. I have some money saved and I think this is what I will need to spend it on.
I can't sleep at night worrying about him. I have no idea what it could be.

[tatsxxx11]

Jennifer, I think you're right. You need to get some firm answers! Did they not ask for a stool sample before??? Did they do any blood work? I have to go back and re-read your original post. Was it Flagyl (metronidazole) that he was on??? I know how this is stressing you. When something's wrong, but you don't know what or why, it's on your mind constantly. Do you have faith in your vet? If you don't get the answers you need, perhaps you could see another? I feel so badly for Duncan and you too! Let us know what you decide. We're thinking of you, and send love and hugs to Duncan! Sandra, Star and Cody

[jennifert]

Well, it appears to be getting worse.. Duncan had thrown up at least 15 -20 times during the day yesterday while I was at work. It was all over the house, little puddles. It looked like he had one good one of whatever was in his stomach and then the rest was just water. He had also been eating my roommate's plant. I let him out and he immediately started eating more grass. He had terrible diarrhea that was just more watery than anything.
I had to go to my second job and my roommate was going out partying with her friends so I called my mother and she came over to get him and brought him home with her. I asked her to put a cup of food down but he didnt' touch it or the water. I did get him to swallow 2 Pepcids tablets before I left for work. She said he didnt' throw up or go #2 at all while he was at her house. When I got out of work around midnight, I went over there. He came to the door looking so sad and tired and weak. We went outside to walk around in case he had to go but he didn't. I dont' think he had anything left inside since he hadnt' eaten since Wednesday. We slept in my mom's spare room on a twin bed together. I felt him for a fever. He seemed warm on his back legs and the paws of his feet? This morning he woke up his usual cheerful self. He still had no interest in any food and took a small sip of water, which he threw up in the car on the way home.
I called the vet this am and he has an appt tonight at 5. They said I should bring him in right away but I couldn't get the time off of work!
Needless to say, I'm a nervous wreck. I do like his vet but since his last 3 appts have been "emergency" or short notice, I have to see whomever is available and it's been someone different the last 2 times. They are very nice and have a great reputation in town but I think they aren't taking me seriously. And Duncan doesn't do well at the vet, he gets nervous and snippy, so he doesn't make a good impression. Regardless, I will MAKE them listen to me tonight. He obviously has something wrong with his stomach, maybe damage from when he was a stray, or...I dont' know, I just don't know....I just want him well so he can enjoy his life. It's so heartbreaking to see him sick

Thanks for all the support through this everyone. It means more than you know. My life is so hectic, no one seems to want to take the time to hear about Duncan or have some consideration for my feelings about my baby dog...except Pet Talkers!! I get that "oh, it's just a dog" look all the time and that just makes me feel worse. So thank you to everyone for being so thoughtful and helpful.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I sure hope sweet Duncan gets better soon. Did they xray his tummy to see if he swollowed something? My prayers are with you both. Please do keep us posted. Duncan is NOT 'Just a Dog' to US!

[Logan]

Jennifer,
We'll all be waiting anxiously to hear what happened at the vet today. Bless your heart, you are worried, of course you are! I hope they can get to the bottom of the problem, and quickly.
In the meantime, please know that we are all praying for both of you.
Logan

[gini]

I usually am not on the dog side of the board, but this morning, I read this whole thread.

Jennifer, my prayers are with you and Duncan. Nothing upsets us more than having our furkids ill, unless it is a human child.

[tatsxxx11]

Jennifer, it's just past 5pm and we are all anxiously awaiting some news. I was so distressed to hear of Duncan's set back. Hopefully, finally, tonight might bring some answers. And while it always upsets me to think of one of our furbabies in the hospital, it sounds like Duncan may some fluid replacement and observation. Please write us when you can. Love to you and Duncan. Sandra

[Sudilar]

How was the vet visit. I hope he was able to help. Let us know when you can!

[tatsxxx11]

How is Duncan, Jennifer??? Getting concerned that we havent' heard from you. Please check in when you can.

[Logan]

I don't think Jennifer has access to a computer on the weekends, unfortunately , so don't worry too much. I'm sure she'll update us on Monday.

I do hope Duncan is ok.

[jennifert]

You're right Logan, I don't have access to a computer on the weekends. I did think of you guys though and I felt bad that I couldn't update everyone over the weekend. I tried to get to the library but with everything going on I just didn't get a chance....
So here goes...
At the vet on Friday, he was miserable and cranky and tried to bite every person and dog in the waiting room that came within 10 feet of him. A clear sign that he was very ill.
The vet couldn't get near him to examine him while I was in the room so she took him in the back and muzzled him
She said he was dehydrated from not drinking so he had to have fluids injected under his skin, making a big bubble around his neck that would slowly rehydrate him and decrease. She took blood to do some tests and said that there was "thickening of his bowels" But no fever. She sent him home with me until the results of the blood tests were in. She called about 8:30 pm. His blood tests were fine, ruling out cancer or any infection or disease I think. He still wasn't eating although he seemed hungry by now. (His last meal was Wednesday evening!)

On Saturday morning at 8am he had to go back for xrays. I had to leave him there this time. Around 11am the vet called and I went in for a consult. (I was a nervous wreck all weekend to say the least!, especially at this point!) She showed me his xrays, it looks like he may have sticks imbedded in his stomach wall. She also said his stomach was very swollen and the ridges in his stomach wall were very inflamed. On the other xray, she was unsure because she couldnt' get a good look at his stomach, meaning either his pancreas was swollen, blocking the view or his stomach on that side is so inflamed and swollen? She said she's not worried about cancer or a tumor becuase he is so young and the blood tests didnt' show evidence of pancreatitis but she couldn't be sure until she had the radiologist look at the xrays. She said he may have a gastric ulcer. She also said that if he doesn't pass what looks like sticks in his stomach, he may have to have surgery to remove them.
So, she let me take him home Saturday! I could feed him but only 2 or 3 tablespoons of hamburger and rice and 2 or 3 tablespoons of water or an ice cube. He was thrilled to eat again which was a great sign! He didnt' poop at all Saturday though. But around 7:30, he went and got his bear and wanted to play. He did poop a little yesterday and this morning but no sticks that I could see. And he is so eager to eat! I can only give him 1/2 the amount of the bland food and a pepcid with every meal. If he starts throwing up again or any other symptoms, he will need to have a barium series to see what else is going on in his belly.
I think that they really have no idea what is wrong...I 'm still confused as to where we go from here. The radiologist will be getting the xrays in the mail today and I assume will get back to the vet asap. Even if he continues to improve, I think he will have to eat special food and take pepcid forever! Today is the first day he is alone and he was so very sad when I left this morning....I hope he will be ok.
So I know this sounds so confusing and it's hard to tell exactly where we stand but that is how I feel! I'm happy that he is eating and keeping his food down. I'm very happy that he doesn't appear to have any cancer or disease. I'm not so happy about the permanent damage to his stomach or the fact that he may have to live in discomfort for a long time... I guess I just need to take it one day at a time from here on. I will be talking to the vet everyday for the next week or so and monitoring his progress.

Thanks for the support everyone! I had a terrible stress-filled weekend worrying about him. And as usual, no one but my mom and dad seemed to think a very sick dog is anything worth worrying about... So I'm very grateful for my friends at PetTalk who will listen and give a d*mn!
Bottom Line: He's better everyday. So far so good.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I'm so glad there has been an improvement. All paws and tails will remain crossed here, and prayers will be sent until Duncan is all better. Thanks for keeping us posted.

[tatsxxx11]

Jennifer. What a weekend you had! And poor Duncan has really been put through the mill! You must have been on pins and needles all weekend. I was so relieved to hear that the vet does not believe there is any cancer or infectious process going on. I wasn't surprised to hear about the dehydration. After all that diarrhea and vomiting, with little food or fluid intake, he was bound to be behind in fluids. Hopefully the radiologist will be able to narrow it down further. My beloved Jingles (RB) was hospitalized once after a night and day of vomiting and diarrhea. The diagnosis after xrays..."multiple foreign objects!!" The "objects" included a bird skull, sticks, small pebbles and sand! Luckily she passed them. I am thrilled that Duncan is eating small portions again. Did the vet actually say that his stomach or bowel was permanently damaged?? In what way?? Perhaps he meant that bowel is irriatated and inflammed from the sticks?? We'll just have to hope and pray that he won't need surgery. You're such a wonderful, dedicated Mom to Duncan!! Hang in there; we're all with you. We'll he praying for a full recovery for sweet Duncan. Please let us know when you hear from the radiologist. Hugs and kisses to you dear Duncan

[jennifert]

Well the radiologist called today. He doesn't think there is any obstruction in Duncan's belly, not did he see anything wrong with the pancreas.
He thinks that there are just sticks or twigs in Duncan's stomach that will hopefully pass naturally....*fingers crossed*

So as long as they come out in the next few days we're ok. if not, surgery will still be the option. I've been checking his p**p the last few days and nothing yet! Hopefully soon. Because we all know how I feel about p**p and looking through it is not my favorite thing to do!!!
Sandra, the vet pointed out a separate area in Duncan's stomach where she thinks he may have a gastric ulcer. We're going to deal with the sticks problem first though and see how he does. (He's a worrier, like his mom! )
I think I figured out how he got those twigs in his belly: When we go to the park in the morning, he likes to run through the woods. I dont' like him to because he always gets twigs and burrs stuck in hs tail and the feathering on his legs. Sometimes, he will pull them out with his teeth and spit them out. he may have swallowed some and Wa La....$400 vet bills!!
Anyway, I'm happy that I'm getting closer to closing the chapter on this little incident. And I'm sure you all are too!! What started out as a little taste of butter has turned into something much bigger and poor Duncan has had enough I'm sure!!

Thanks for everything!