Dogs and Butter...

[jennifert]

I'm never going to live down the *poop* thing am I?

[Sudilar]

[jennifert]

Well Duncan went to the vet yesterday. He has a fever . She put him on some medicine for his sore fanny ( I can't remember the name of it) but she didn't want to put him on antibiotics because she was concerned they would upset his belly more. He has to eat his bland diet for a few weeks along with 10 days of the medicine and 2 pepcid tablets a day. She said the butter probably did it but she's not sure since he does have a slight fever. She felt his belly and said it was "tense" but that could have been because he was really nervous. If his fever is not gone in a few days and he is still acting strange along with the diarrhea, we'll go back for blood tests.

He is usually very good at the vets but yesterday he tried to "get" the vet. She came around the table to examine him and he lunged at her barking and growling. I had taken his gentle leader off so that she could get a better look at his ears and mouth if necessary. I put it back on him and held his head while she examined him. I had to do the tooth and gum part for her. She was very nice about it. I thought she would be mad and give him a red sticker on his file!! But she understood that he was very "protective" and very nervous and wary of strangers. So it's the "one step forward, two steps back" theory again!!!

On top of all that, last night, I found a pretty sizable cut on his back paw, right next to his pad. So I put triple antibiotic on that and will keep an eye on it! Boy, it's alot of work to have a dog!! Whew

[KYS]

Well Duncan went to the vet yesterday. He has a fever . >>>>>

So sorry, to hear that Duncan is still not feeling well.
Wishing him many get well wishes.
Please keep us informed on how he is doing.

[Sudilar]

Oh, poor Duncan!!! I hope the fever goes away quickly and you feel all better fast!

[Logan]

I hope he will feel better soon, Jennifer! Sounds like it might be more than the butter at work on him!! Poor baby. We will say a prayer for him, hoping that he will feel better very soon.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Poor Duncan. All paws, tails, and fingers crossed that he feels all better soon.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Duncan.... Poor baby!! I'll bet you snapped a little at the vet because your not feeling yourself, that's all. Human patients get grumpy too! Take all of your medicine Duncan, and listen to your Mommy. You've been through a lot!! We are all sending you get well wishes and all our love and prayers that you'll be feeling better very soon. Please have your Mom check in with us as often as she can. Hope you have a quiet night, sweet Duncan. We love you. Love, Sandra, Cody and Star

[LoudLou]

I surez hope youz feel better soon Duncan. I don't much likez those white coats either. Take youz meds and mind youz Mommie coz Mommies Knowz whatz bestest for youz...Get well, Hey The Beans even said to tellz youz to getz well soon, too.

[tatsxxx11]

How's Duncan doing today, Jennifer??? Star and Cody send their love to their pal.

[jennifert]

Thanks for all the well-wishes everyone!! I'm actually not sure how Duncan is to be honest...He has been on the medication, his bland diet and the Pepcid since Friday. But last night he did feel warm to the touch and he was asleep before I was! Completely unusual behavior!!! I had to work my second job yesterday and when I got home my roommate said he had had diarrhea on their evening walk. 2x. So I don't know....If the diarrhea has not gone away and he still has a fever.....I'm going to give it a few more days though. This morning he didn't "go" despite walking for over an hour! The most noticeable thing is his sleepiness but that could be the medication. And of course the poop problems....

Sandra, I did notice last night that his nose is pretty runny...this symptom comes and goes but at night it is always present the past few days. Maybe he has some type of cold?

Thanks for your concern and encouragement everyone. Please don't worry. I would hate to see everyone worried about us. I'm sure he will be fine. Just a spring cold? I'll keep this post updated until he's 100%!!!!

Thanks again!!

[tatsxxx11]

Hey Jennifer! Well, I wish that the news was a little better....Poor baby's stomach! I quick looked back at the previous posts...what medication aside from the Pepcid was he given again??? I was thinking....did the vet show you, or can you take his temperature? That would be a good assessment tool that you could do yourself. I know that would probably be hard for you! But, if you can, that would be good. Make sure he's drinking enough water. That's SO important if he's still making diapoopies. Dehydration can make him very sleepy and sluggish. Is he eating his food? I would keep a chart or piece of paper on the frig and make a note of his poops....times, amts., description; also when he ate, amt. and type of food, any vomiting, sudden diapoops, etc. Did the vet mention that he might have a virus? Colds are viral, not bacterial, though colds that go untreated can lead to secondary respir. bacterial infections. (The proverbial cold that keeps holding on forever is an example of that!) Make note of the drainage, if any from nose and eyes. If it's clear, I wouldn't worry to much. But call the vet if it's yellow or greenisih, or if he sounds wheezy. Poor Duncan, poor Jennifer! How can we NOT worry!!! Please give Duncan a big hug from me. Love to you both. Sandra, Cody and Star

[jennifert]

I think I can report that Duncan is doing better! On his walks last night and this morning his #2s were small and a little sloppy but I wouldn't call them "diarrhea" (I can't believe how much time I spend talking about Duncan's *poop* and that people actually LISTEN!!!!) LOL

Sandra, he is taking something called "metronidazole" I don't know what it is exactly. She did say she wasn't going to give him antibiotics because of the stomach problems so I'm assuming it's like compazine for people maybe....? I'm sure I could take his temperature and I may do that. I have an old mercury thermometer around. I would feel awkward doing it but it would be a good idea. Instead, I run around feeling Duncan's temperature and checking to make sure his gums are pink. Then I run around after Jack, the roommate's dog, and try to see who feels hotter!!
The vet didn't mention a virus. I think she was concerned that if he threw up more or if his diarrhea did not go away, that he had something more than a self-inflicted "butter-ache" I did find that cut on his pad AFTER the vet visit. Maybe that was what gave him the slight fever? It's not that big and was fairly new when at the vet's... (I've been putting antibiotic cream on that and that's healing nicely!) The nose is clear and he's breathing fine so maybe just the same spring runny nose that his mom has!
I think I will make up a little chart for the fridge, one that I can keep a weekly running total on. It's a good idea to have anyway since I have a roommate and although I ask her NOT to feed him anything or give him dinner until I get home, she doesn't always comply. (The other day, she "forgot" and gave him Iams for dinner instead of his special food! Could be why the diarrhea has not really abated too much! I told her that from now on, I will feed him all his meals, thanks anyway!) It would be nice to have something where I can write down what he's had, when and how much.

Thanks for all your help, advice and encouragement Sandra!! I think we'll be up and running soon, Duncan and I!

Time to get back on the well-wishing wagon and spread the love to others!!! I thank God for the small problems sometimes.....

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Originally posted by jennifert
(I can't believe how much time I spend talking about Duncan's *poop* and that people actually LISTEN!!!!) LOL

We not only listen but get EXCITED for you and Duncan. Paws and fingers still crossed that he's completely all well soon.

[tatsxxx11]

So glad to hear Duncan's feeling better!! Being a "mom" is tough stuff, and you learn more than you ever imagined you would, or wanted to ! Thanks and keep us updated on his progress; and of course, lots and lots of hugs for Duncan

"Metronidazole has never been approved for use in dogs and cats but it is
used quite frequently to treat giardiasis and inflammatory bowel disorders.
It is also used to aid in the treatment of anerobic bacteria in the
respiratory tract." From VetInfo.....