OT: Sick Dogs

[Jaybay]

Well give me something else to worry about aside from my own misery.  Both of my dogs seem to have some kind of bug.  Our Dalmatian, Doc Holliday (aka Dr. Spot or Spotacus) started off the festivities with horrible hacking episodes that leave him a shaking and drooling mess.  It's not the typical doggie "reverse sneezes" that are basically harmless hiccups.  Now our Dal/Lab mix, Maggie, joined in last night with sneezing fits like I've never seen in a dog and they're continuing today.  Neither of them has fever or loss of appetite, but they're both somewhat lethargic and just "off."  We'll all be heading to the vet when he reopens tomorrow.  

They're vaccinated against kennel cough and the new "dog flu" so Lord only knows what bug they've picked up or where.  We haven't even been to the dog park in months since it got so hot.  My critters make my life so much better and it hurts to see them sick - particularly since it rarely happens.  Even DH is concerned this time and he usually pooh-pooh's me as being an overprotective "helicopter" dog mom.  LOL!

Does anyone else rely on their pets for pain management and distraction?  I sure do!

[Jaybay]

Wouldn't that be something to see Sara?  Although I think it would turn out to be the two of us watching the two of them getting "stewed"...  ;-)

We've been really lucky with the worst of the rain from Hermine hammering the area about 10 east of us today.  The creek can take one more good downpour and then we'll be on red alert.  Hopefully we'll all get a decent night's sleep tonight.  I for one plan on hitting that bed EARLY for a change after a stout dose of melatonin.

[Sarajmt]

I am so glad that your pups will be great.  I've had to change vets because of costs. Just a routine exam and basic shots could run up to 250.  Too rich for my budget.

Maybe our husbands can get together and bug the stew out of each other!!

[namnam46]

I'm so glad that there are Vets around like you have!!  Kind, caring and AREN'T out to make a killing off of their Four-Legged Patients!!!  

It makes me VERY happy to hear the GREAT news that you received this morning!! I HOPE that you and Doc Holliday and Maggie are enjoying being "curled up" on the couch and listening to the rain!!!

Enjoy LOVING your Babies AND be sure and give them an exptra "Doggie" Treat or two!!!........Mama Sherry

[optimus22mac]

That IS a deal @ the vet! Including the meds! Wow! It's so great to find a good vet! We have a great one also...
When our Shih Tzu "Moose" (I know...a Shih Tzu named Moose...my 4 y.o. named him when she was 3...before we even got him:)....well, Moose was super sick...lethargic, not eating, or going to the bathroom, had a fever...they put him on an IV and then had him go to the overnight hospital to be watched and stay on the IV...and I was so worried the whole time! They think he ingested something...and a few days later in the yard, I saw an old gourd with black mold on it....and we think that was probably it! A good lesson to make sure old plants and veggies etc get cleaned out of the yard!!! We felt so bad! But of course he recovered and is back to chasing his arch-enemy Mrs. Pepper (our black cat) around the house until she hisses and spits, and then he runs the other way!!!
Our pets give me something to take my mind off of all my medical issues...and when they cuddle against me, it's just great comfort.  Especially when the kids don't want to cuddle so much anymore!!
I'm so glad that the doggies will be ok!!

[Jaybay]

Sara, I know EXACTLY what you mean about the husband being home officed.  I lived with that for 5 years and it's not easy.  DH and I were never the type to be together 24/7, and the home office adventure proved it.  It's 100 times worse since he's been unemployed and ineffectually roaming the house.  So much for the old Type A personality.  Apparently it only applies to work - forget about cleaning and home maintenance.  GRRRR!!!

Just got back from the vet and the dogs will be fine.  They got shots of antibiotics, steroids & B12 while sneezing throughout the exam. Also take-home oral versions of the abx and guaifenesin (can never spell that one so I call it bat guano.  LOL!).  With all the Hermine-related storms last night and today, I figured Maggie would be shaking under the pillows with us.  Nope.  Shows you how awful she feels when she can't even work up a panic attack over the weather.

It'll be a few more days but at least I know their lungs are clear and other than being miserable, they'll be fine.  Their buddy King from next door can resume his communal swimming sessions this weekend.  

I so love our vet.  We've used the same practice since it began in 1990, and continued when Dr. Smith bought it 3 or 4 years ago.  Both vets are superb and have always made it a point to have the lowest prices in town.  Their goal is to make sure animals get medical care, and that care is gold star worthy.  For today's visit, with the exam, meds, and a pedicure for Doc (he always requires the party hat) the bill came to $118.  We'd be lucky to get away with that amount for each dog at other clinics in the area, and the care isn't even close to what Dr. Smith provides.  The curs are in great hands so now I can relax and try to enjoy a rainy day with them on the couch.  :-)

[Sarajmt]

Oh your poor puppies!!  I'm so sorry!  Please let us know when you get back what's up with them.

And you betcha I use distractions.  Problem is around my house distractions are usually not of the pleasant sort especially if my husband is in town.  UGH!!  He's a micro manager and works from home when not on the road.  Needs to go manage something else!!  But I like the computer for distraction.  I don't like being around others when I'm really hurting.  And I've been in super pain mode lately.  Even distractions aren't working.

[namnam46]

I hope that you will let us know IMMEDIATELY when you find out from the Vet what is going on tomorrow.  

Believe me I know how VERY frightening it is when there is something that has made them incredibly ill and they CAN'T tell you ANYTHING at all.  Just like when Babies get sick and they can't tell you what's wrong and they just cry ALL the time and can't sleep!!!

I'll be thinking of you and your Babies tomorrow!!......Mama Sherry

[Jaybay]

I don't think this is allergies since Doc got it first.  I also gave them the veterinarian dose of benadryl today (1 mg per pound) to little effect, so that lack of reaction seems diagnostic in itself.  With both dogs hacking and sneezing snot everywhere, and DH adding his allergies and asthma to the chorus, I can hardly hear myself think.  Maybe the vet can give DH a shot when he's through with the dogs tomorrow?  :-D

Seriously though, these coughing spells are frightening when they go on and on and it's like they can't breathe and I can see the panic in their eyes.  That trip to the vet can't come soon enough tomorrow, and if things get much worse tonight we'll go to the ER vet.  I can handle dealing with my own medical issues, but where my critters are concerned I'm a wreck. Calgon take me awaaaayyy!!!

[sandee1818]

I don't have any pets unless you want to count my two little girls:)
They do make a mess and chase their tails from time to time. I am only kidding of course.
I hope your dogs are feeling better very soon!
I know I do get distracted by things and it makes me forget my pain form a moment so I do know what your talking about:)

[melissaky]

I am sorry your dogs are under the weather .Is your pollen count high there in TX ? I know my boys hack and sneeze and are off their feed when the pollen or mold counts are high . I have 3 dogs and 1 cat here .I have a St Bernard / Great pyrenees mix named Abby ,A 17 yr old Pomeranian named Chief and a toy chihuahua named Jackson .I have a blue russian kitty named Franklin and I would be lost without them .I get so much joy and comfort and lots of laughs out of my furbabies .My smallest one Jackson never leaves my side he is a Mama's boy .I was bedridden last year and that little fellow was such a comfort to me .He knew how bad I was feeling and hung right in there with me .Dogs are just the most loyal friends in the world .What on earth would we ever do without them ? I hope your babies are okay and feeling much better soon ! Take care
Melissa

[namnam46]

My Friend -  

I can't even tell you what my Dear Katie Kitty meant to Jean and me before Jean's passing in 1997.  We got her from the SPCA when she was 6 months old and Jean was disabled.  She was JUST like a dog as she NEVER left his side through the next years of Jean's life.  When he was put on Hospice, before his death, Katie Kitty was ALWAYS close by. :)  The last 3 days when he was comatose she laid on his bed with him OR in the chair that was pushed up against the Hospital bed.  You could tell it was "her duty" to protect him and to help  him and she took it VERY seriously!!!  

I had to put her to sleep (before our last big journey began - the trip to Arizona) as she was 18 1/2 years old and she had "put in her time" here on earth and deserved to be PAIN FREE and Peaceful.  It makes me Happy to know that she is with Jean now and they are happy and taking care of each other and they are BOTH pain free!!

I LOVE her and MISS her to this day (it's been over a year now) and will until my last day on this earth!!  I miss patting her as it helped MY pain so much because she gave of herself SO selflessly.  She LOVED us unconditionally and she FELT it was HER duty to take care of us ALWAYS!!!

OUR Beloved Pets mean the world to ALL of us.  And even though she is gone I can STILL have a peaceful feeling come over me JUST thinking about her.  That "feeling" helps me to relax and that alone helps my pain!!

I don't know how we would get along without our "Beloved" Pets......Mama Sherry

PS Jaybay, I hope and pray that your beloved puppies will be better and the Vet will be able to give them the meds that they need so they can get back to taking care of you the way that You take care of them!!!  :)