Aa
Is There Any Hope?
Went on our honeymoon and came back to our two year old AB not eating and lethargic. He was acting strange, like not wanting to be around us and sleeping in odd spots around the house. He's used to sleeping on the bed. Then he went #2 and it was horrible and mostly black w/ blood. Spoke to the individual who watch our two dogs and she told me that he ate the back of her cell phone and chewed on a pillow. I found the pillow. Doesn't seem to be anything missing. Zipper is still intact. Found pieces of what looked like the motherboard of a cell phone on the floor and on my nightstand. She told me that he hadn't eaten breakfast since we left and didn't eat dinner the night before we got back. So at the time I called it meant he hadn't eaten for two in a half days and he is used to eating twice daily. He is very food driven. I took him to the vet on June 23 and they did x-rays. He had lost 20lbs. Found that his intestines was kinked in one spot and that he had a lot of buildup of stool. She put him on Carafate and Flagyl and gave him fluids there. Got him home and he immediately starting using the bathroom and a huge solid and rock hard piece came out and inside was a very long piece of a blanket. He seemed ok after that, almost relieved, but still was not eating. He wouldn't walk on the grass, which is odd. So we watched him closely and gave him his meds as instructed but he wouldn't go #2 and he would only go #1 maybe once or twice a day. He was still acting lethargic and strange, still wouldn't eat. And we tried chicken, rice, etc. So we took him back to the vet on Monday, June 30. They did more xrays and found that the kink was gone but that he was full of gas and no sign of stool at all. They put him back on Carafate and sent him home. We gave him a couple Gas X pills to help relieve the gas and it did. He start letting them out, but still Tuesday same thing as before. Today same thing as before. So now he hasn't eaten since Sunday. Took him back to the vet this morning and they are doing barium testing on him. I asked them to do blood work a week ago but they said it wasn't needed. The barium test showed no blockages but that his disgestive tract was moving extremely slow. We took him back Friday. Same thing, not eating, can't use the bathroom (#2), urine is orangish in color, legs were starting to show signs of yellowing, and a huge strange bruise under his arm. They gave him fluids and sent him home with more carafate. Took him back Saturday morning for more fluids and more carafate and baytril. Took him back on Monday and our vet rushed him to the emergency hospital to see the IM specialist. Our primary vet said that his liver enzymes had doubled over the weekend, causing jaundice to start. His white blood cell count was elevated. His red blood cell count was normal and looked as if they were regenerating themselves. His blood platelet count was extremely low. In the 10,000 ranges, when it should be 200,000-400,000.They now have Zoro with them. I went to see him last night and it didn't look good. He was excited to see us but after a while kept wanting to be away from us. They won't get any of the test results back until this afternoon. I called late last night to check on him and they said he was happy and wagging his tail. I went this morning to visit and he looked the same. Jaundice and he had more bruiseing occuring. They said they would call or I could call back around 3pm this afternoon and hopefully they would have some answers for me. He's still not eating. They have him on IV fluids and two different antibiotics, docycline and penicillin. Also have him on an antiobiotic medicine.
I am so sick to my stomach and not sure I can take any bad news.
I am so sick to my stomach and not sure I can take any bad news.
I am so very sorry. I haven't been on this forum in a while and I just read your post. I am so very sorry. I know that it hurts so very much. My prayers are with you.
I lost my first dog to pancreatitis when he was 13-1/2. What made it even worse, was that it was entirely my own fault. I gave him some rib bones that still had some fat, and the next day he was having a royal puke fest. Ten days and $10,000 later, we had to let him go.
It's just a horrific condition because there is no way of knowing which dog will recover or not. Treating pancreatitis means treating the symptoms with very strong pain and nausea medications, and basically starving the dog so the pancreas can rest. The organ becomes very swollen and presses on the pancreatic and biliary ducts, which means bile from the liver as well and pancreatic enzymes can't drain. Our dog had the best possible care with a central port for meds and TPN (nutrition). At least we know we did everything we could for him, but that little knife of guilt still hasn't left me.
It took a good year before I could look at his pictures without crying, but our surviving dog really helped us. We couldn't very well stay stuck in grief mode when she needed our love and attention right here and right now. When we lost her this past January, we got another dog right away (too soon for me really) and the same magical process happened all over again. When you have a living creature who needs you, it's impossible to ignore. :-)
It's just a horrific condition because there is no way of knowing which dog will recover or not. Treating pancreatitis means treating the symptoms with very strong pain and nausea medications, and basically starving the dog so the pancreas can rest. The organ becomes very swollen and presses on the pancreatic and biliary ducts, which means bile from the liver as well and pancreatic enzymes can't drain. Our dog had the best possible care with a central port for meds and TPN (nutrition). At least we know we did everything we could for him, but that little knife of guilt still hasn't left me.
It took a good year before I could look at his pictures without crying, but our surviving dog really helped us. We couldn't very well stay stuck in grief mode when she needed our love and attention right here and right now. When we lost her this past January, we got another dog right away (too soon for me really) and the same magical process happened all over again. When you have a living creature who needs you, it's impossible to ignore. :-)
I was just going to ask you if you had dreamt about Bailey. I haven't had a dream about Zoro yet and that scares me. I tell him every morning that I love him and miss him very much, and I ask him to please give me a sign that he's ok. I haven't gotten it yet, but I'm hoping I do. I think it will help me. We had people over all weekend so it was a good distraction. Out of nowhere this big beautiful butterfly appeared and was flying around. I thought for a minute that is was Zoro playing in the yard. Then told myself I was stupid. And the other day my other dog Zelda was using the bathroom and just took off running before she was done. I thought that was Zoro's way of getting back at her for all those times she wouldn't leave him alone. I found a lot of pictures I had taken that I forgot I had. I broke down immediately but started smiling because he was so happy in those pictures. I am trying to hard to believe that there is something good that's going to come out of this because everyone keeps telling me it's God's will that Zoro isn't here. But I can't put my hands around what good could possibly come from something that is so painful. Have you thought about getting another dog?
I have another dog who is very depressed since Bailey passed. I too break down a lot!!! Sometimes I think I see my boy too it's normal. You never know it might actually be him popping in to say hello :) Grieving is a long process and everyone does it differently but you have to focus on the good memories and get past those last few days when he was ill. I believe very strongly in an after so that helps me. I won't get into spiritual beliefs here but I know in my heart that both our boys are in a better way then how they were. They might even be playing together :) I had a great dream the other night about my Bailey running in a wooded area with a stream and he was running in the water wagging his tail looking at me so happy! I said to him Bailey you are in the water? because he was always afraid of the water. then he ran off into a big field. I think that was his way of telling me he's ok and doesn't even have all those anxieties that he had here. Hang in there!
Thank you for the post. I think something is wrong with me because I keep thinking he's here. Then I look and he's not. Could that be shock? Today was my first day back to work and as soon as I walked in the first thing I saw was his pictures all over my desk. I broke down again. I know it will get better in time, but I sure wish it would hurry up. I want to be able to celebrate his life and not keep crying and questioning myself. I'm at the point where I believe in my heart I failed him in the end.
I'm so sorry to hear of your Zoro's passing. Hope I'm writing his name correctly. I don't know when your pain will go away. Part of it never does. In time - how easy to say - the pain won't be as intense and you'll be able to look back and remember the fun times you had with him. My "boy" died over five years ago and I still cry but I also can look at his picture and imagine him in heaven eating whatever he wants, lifting his leg wherever he wants and just running with his friends, our other pets who have passed on. His spirit will never die - not Zoro's or Bifff's. They're probably up there now, chasing cats.
I am so sorry for your loss too. I wish we had our babies back. Do you have any other pets?
I am SO sorry for your loss. I am still devastated after having to say good bye to my baby 2 weeks ago. Please take comfort in knowing you gave your baby the peace and comfort he wanted. I know in my heart he'll be waiting to see you again on the other side. God Bless!
so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby, i to had to make that terrible decission 4 months ago with my baby he was 17 years old and my child, it will get better but never go away, i think of him a lot and still have my crying days over him. we got another baby this time a girl and different color than him, i had my sweet baby boy now i have the sweet baby girl this is it for me. if you can in time get another one, give it the love your baby had. God bless you . Barbara
..I just wanted to add that i these years I've seen few cases of diabetes in dogs and their condition got worse very fast and quick and the only thing that has been decided for every case was euthanasia since diabetes is not reversible and creates a lot of other physical problems.
i am so sorry for your loss...but, volunteering at the Humane Socitey made me think"beyond" my personal feelings. I believe that if you didn't choose to do what you did oro would have suffered much much more...now think that he's in a better plave and he doesn't suffer anymore. He is proytecting you from heaven!
you are in my thoughts and prayers
It takes time to heal from a loss but eventually time will go by and you will realize that it was the best you could have done for your beloved pet.
Let me know how you are doing and if you feel like talking, my ears are always ready to listen to you!
Chiara
you are in my thoughts and prayers
It takes time to heal from a loss but eventually time will go by and you will realize that it was the best you could have done for your beloved pet.
Let me know how you are doing and if you feel like talking, my ears are always ready to listen to you!
Chiara
Saturday and Sunday Zoro got so much better. The chemo drugs were working. We were able to bring Zoro home on Monday but he quit eating Monday night. We took him back to the hospital on Tuesday where he ate for them. The did blood work and found out he had developed Diabetes and the pancreatitis test came back positive. The devised another therapy plan and gave him fluids under his skin and sent him home. He wouldn't eat and he quit drinking. We had to give him water through a turkey baster. He was breathing very funny because his nasal passages were so clogged. Tuesday night he went down hill very fast. It was like night and day. We took him to the hospital Wednesday morning. He had developed pnemonia and wasn't doing well at all. He looked miserable and like he was suffering. His breathing got worse. His eyes didn't look right. They weren't the beautiful brown anymore. They were extremely dark. The doctors said that we needed to think about other options. We knew what that meant. My husband and I talked about it with great concern and love involved. It was the worst decision I've ever had to make. It was over so quick. I hated doing it because I'm selfish and I wanted him to be with me. I love him and miss him so much. My heart hurts so bad that it's hard to breathe. When will this pain go away?
i am praying and sendng good thoughts for you and your baby hoping that he will recover soon...good luck!
Pray for your dog too, hope to continue to hear good and more recovery for your baby!
It sounds like he is slowly getting better. Whatever he ate or even his meds could be effecting his liver which is why he looks yellow.
A dog can get along without a spleen and regarding his liver - if they take some of it out, it will grow back but grow back healthy.
A dog can get along without a spleen and regarding his liver - if they take some of it out, it will grow back but grow back healthy.
Sorry it's taken me a few days to get back on here. I wish I could report good news, but I just don't have that much. Zoro is still in critical care. We're still waiting on the Leptospirosis and Pancreatitis and Leukemia results. Wednesday he started bleeding a bit from his nose. Then yesterday half of his eye was red and the doctor said that it was a hemorrahage. He said not to be alarmed. I have been at the hospital every morning and every night visiting and talking to the doctors and techs. Zoro still isn't eating, but yesterday he did manage to eat two small dog biscuits. He did poop yesterday, but it was black and bloody. He also played tug-o-war and fetch with my husband. He gets more excited to see my husband. Which is fine with me as long as he's excited. Every time we take him outside he goes straight for my car and looks back at me like "come on mom." It kills me that I can't take him. I called this afternoon and the doctor told me that Zoro's Lymphocyte count had dropped from 40,000 to 5,000, which was good. His red blood cell count is still low (borderline anemic). His white blood cell count and his NutriCell count are normal now. His coagulation is normal now. His Vitamin K issue (the blood clotting peremiters) are normal now. The only things he didn't like was Zoro's jaundice had gone up (4.2 on Mon. 6.3 on Wed. 6.6 today). His blood platelets are still extremely low (6,000 on Mon. 9,000 today). They are doing another ultrasound today. They are hoping that his spleen has gone down. They want to look at his liver to see if he does have a blockage. The jaundice is really throwing them for a loop.
Thank you for all the kind words. I am still praying hard all day long and I even pray with Zoro. I hope he knows how much we love him.
Thank you for all the kind words. I am still praying hard all day long and I even pray with Zoro. I hope he knows how much we love him.
I just read your post. I'm very surprised by your vets approach. Our dog had eaten part of a towel (we didn't know it at the time) Became sick just like your dog. We called our vet at 10:30 that night and took her in. She needed immediate surgery. We were told any kind of twist in the intestine requires surgery. I agree with Jaybay - I think now you may be dealing with dead intestinal tissue. Wishing you luck!
I was interested in your response because I was getting the opposite "vibration" - which is no biggie but I would probably follow your advice. If the dog has hung in this long hopefully he'll survive.
Dogs eat the most bizarre things. Our Siberian husky ate a "mouse" from the computer over a year ago and had no problems with it (she might have chewed it and spit it out). A dog came into the animal hospital and he had eaten a towel and a sock. He didn't make it. A small dog came in who also ate a towel and he did make it.
Hope this dog makes it. He sounds like he is loved and cared for.
Dogs eat the most bizarre things. Our Siberian husky ate a "mouse" from the computer over a year ago and had no problems with it (she might have chewed it and spit it out). A dog came into the animal hospital and he had eaten a towel and a sock. He didn't make it. A small dog came in who also ate a towel and he did make it.
Hope this dog makes it. He sounds like he is loved and cared for.
I'd bet money you're dealing with a section of dead bowel. Since the x-ray confirmed a "twist", that means blood circulation was cut off for God-only-knows how long. I'm sorry, but at that point your dog should have had surgery, and it sounds like he certainly needs that section of bowel resected sooner rather than later. Your vet is taking a conservative approach that gives me a major bad vibe. If you don't get some kind of reasonable answer in the morning or see major improvement, you need a different vet.
Your boy is having a rather rough time of it isn't he. IMHO the blanket and phone he appeared to eat has effected his digestive system, which you already know. At least he eliminated it. However, something must have been absorbed into his system and that is what is causing the liver problems (assuming he hasn't had liver problems before). All this can happen so quickly in dogs.
If he is on antibiotics do deal with any infection and have him on an IV, the vets are doing pretty much all they can.
When you said he was glad to see you and then wanted to be "alone", I took that as a good thing because most cats and dogs want their people to be with them if they know they are dying. But I'm far from being an expert.
I hope things work out. I know how I'd feel - how I've felt - in situations like this. We can't always blame the vet. Blame accomplishes nothing. Good thoughts to you and your boy ....
wolf
If he is on antibiotics do deal with any infection and have him on an IV, the vets are doing pretty much all they can.
When you said he was glad to see you and then wanted to be "alone", I took that as a good thing because most cats and dogs want their people to be with them if they know they are dying. But I'm far from being an expert.
I hope things work out. I know how I'd feel - how I've felt - in situations like this. We can't always blame the vet. Blame accomplishes nothing. Good thoughts to you and your boy ....
wolf
Another example of vets not listening to pet owners,,,man, if they only took the blood tests in the first place....
Man oh Man,,,you are in some kind of trouble....I am so worried for you...I just hope on your information later and visit w/your pet, the jaundice is healing and your pet will make it after all the trouble this pet has been through,,,,my goodness, more thing has went thru so much...and you too....
I am so sorry for you....I will pray for you....ask lots of questions,,,don't let the Hospital leave you hanging w/not understanding or answering ANY questions, make sure you answers, you understand completely...your not a vet...sometimes they have to tell 2 or 3 different ways to explain to our understanding...
Please keep us posted...sure worried for you, I don't want you to have bad news...
Man oh Man,,,you are in some kind of trouble....I am so worried for you...I just hope on your information later and visit w/your pet, the jaundice is healing and your pet will make it after all the trouble this pet has been through,,,,my goodness, more thing has went thru so much...and you too....
I am so sorry for you....I will pray for you....ask lots of questions,,,don't let the Hospital leave you hanging w/not understanding or answering ANY questions, make sure you answers, you understand completely...your not a vet...sometimes they have to tell 2 or 3 different ways to explain to our understanding...
Please keep us posted...sure worried for you, I don't want you to have bad news...
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