Regurgitating dog with diarrhea and under active intestines

[ArtTherapyAshley]

My 2 year old golden doodle ( golden retriever and poodle mix) went from extremely healthy to extremely sick in a matter of hours last week.  We woke up to him vomiting his food from the night before, and then continuing to vomit or regurge bile/fluid for the rest of the day.  He also had diarrhea.  We took him in and they gave him an iv under the skin and sent him home.  He declined and became very lethargic.  Now, after 5 days, he has been in the hospital the whole time and it seems his stomach and intestines are not draining the fluid, but we are not sure why.  We have done x rays, multiple ultrasounds, an endoscopy, biopsies, and even exploratory surgery, and everything is normal except the villi in the intestines don't seem to be a lively as usual and the intestines in general are under active when the DMV took them out.  There is no blockage, and they are swollen a bit, but mostly filled with gas and fluid.  

We have two days to let him recover from surgery and see if the new biopsies show anything, but if we can't find anything, we will have to put him to sleep.  Please help, we are so upset and confused with what is going on.  He seems to be the best right after they drain the fluid from his stomach, but then as it fills back up, he becomes lethargic and sick, continuing to regurge liquid an uninterested in eating or drinking.  Te vet is now saying maybe mother nature will turn things around, which seems to be our only hope for him at this point.  Any help is appreciated.

[ArtTherapyAshley]

An update:  Leo continues to have the same problems, recurring water or bile, getting dehydrated aftervabout 4 hours after being taken off the iv fluids...  This is now compounded with recovering from surgery, which has taken it's toll on the little guy, but he seems to be handling that well.  At Davis, they put him back in ICU, on an iv drip, on antibiotics and a motility drug for digestion.  They also put a tube down his nose and continue to drain out the fluid in the stomach that is not moving. He hates it, but I am thankful for that tube because the fluid that doesn't move seems to cause him to slow down and also to regurge.  He won't regurgitate if there is nothing there!  

The main problem seems to be in the small intestine, we think.  One biopsy came back and said possibly a food allergy.  The small intestine has seemed to have stopped moving, and I think that is what we need to figure out... Why and how to help.  They will start Leo on some food tomorrow in hopes that that will kickstart the intestines.  

Thanks again four your thoughts and prayers.  We are hopeful, but also know that he cannot live on an iv, it wouldn't be fair to such an active dog. We will be reevaluating on Monday or Tuesday.

[Ghilly]

I'm so sorry that you are not seeing any improvement nor can the vets seem to bring about any resolution to this.  I'm praying that you can get that appointment at UC Davis.  Veterinary colleges are excellent places to go when it seems like all else is failing.  They have state of the art equipment and vets that are up to date on all the latest technology and who have lots and lots of experience with cases that many local veterinary clinics and hospitals never see during their time in existence.  Hopefully they'll bring about a breakthrough for you.  

Ghilly

[TwoBitsMom]

I am so sorry to hear about your dog....I hope you find out what is wrong with him soon.....You will both be in my prayers.
Besides Addisons disease...can you tell us some of the other conditions they have ruled out....?  
Connie

[Misfits4Me]

Ashley...I'm praying for you and Leo.....I so hope that this can be turned around...Please, keep us updated......Karla

[ArtTherapyAshley]

Hi,
Thanks for your responses.  This has been a horrible and very sad week.  We tested for addisions, hopeful yesterday, only to find out that it's not that.  The dvm gave Leo a small dose of steroids yesterday, and then he ate a jar of baby food, but not without encouragement.   Later in the afternoon, he Vomited everything. They tried keeping him off the iv, but he needed fluid within hours.  We have one last shot if we can get an appointment at uc Davis, but if we can't we can try keeping him at home, but who knows.  We can't afford icu treatment any longer.

Any ideas would be helpful....

[Ghilly]

There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing what is wrong with our pets because they cannot tell us in words how or what they are feeling!  I am so sorry that you are going through this right now!

What is confusing me is that he has diarrhea but almost no gut motility.  During diarrhea, the intestines are in hyperdrive, pushing things through at many times the normal speed, yet his intestines are barely moving.  It makes me wonder if his vagus nerve is somehow involved.  Have you had him tested for diabetes?  Diabetic neuropathy CAN be responsible for this type of thing, and even though he is young, he can still be diabetic.  It might be worth mentioning it to his vet.  

Please continue to post and let us know how he is doing.  In the meantime, I will pick the brains of several of my veterinary friends to see if they have anything to offer.

Ghilly