Sick Yorkie

[BarbC]

Hello, I have a two year old female yorkie who has been sick for a week. A week ago Monday she was fine and Tuesday morning she awoke unable to get around like she normally would. She was staggaring, very weak, shaky and vomiting. She spent 3 days in a vet hospital where diabeties was ruled out even though her sugar levels that day were above 300. With blood work and xrays the vet was unable to diagnose her. She seemed to be better so she was sent home on an antibiotic. Over the weekend her activity was limited at best. Yesterday she was again very weak and shaky. She is not vomiting but is very inactive, very weak. I did get her to eat and drink today but she is just not the Nikki that she was a week ago. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[JeanieK]

Welcome to YT.

I would call the vet again. Not sure why they ruled out diabetes if her sugar level was so high, especially if she hasn't been eating.

[iowarobin]

I dont know what to tell you except, I think I would get a second opinion, just like if she was human. Vets are human and can miss things. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[BarbC]

I am looking for a new vet. They ruled out diabetes because her levels went normal for the other two days she was at the hospital.

[Lacy's Mom]

Here's a link to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) it does say it can be caused by excitement, but since she is still not herself you need to find out the underlying cause. High blood sugar is very damaging to internal organs. I think she needs more tests to rule out other causes if they know for sure it's not diabetes.

It mentions cushing's disease - I lost Lacy due to this and it is usually diagnosed in a pet 10 years of age. Lacy's first symptoms were eating, eating, and eating, like she was starving. She went from 4 to just under 7 pounds in a couple of months. I don't see this being the cause.

By any chance do you feed Royal Canin?

http://consumer.vetmedcenter.com/Con...cemiaFK1XX.xml

[Lacy's Mom]

I would research pancreatitis because this affects the liver and that is where insulin is produced.

[roultjm]

I have a 3 sick yorkies currently vomiting and diarrhea. All at the same time. The started on a new bag of food, could it be their food?

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by roultjm

I have a 3 sick yorkies currently vomiting and diarrhea. All at the same time. The started on a new bag of food, could it be their food?

Yes, it could be the food, but it would seem that out of three you would have one with a strong stomach. I would put them on chicken and rice and take them to the vet if they are not better within 24 hours. It seems more likely that it is bacteria, parasite or viral related. You may want to start a new thread with more details like their ages, how long this has been going on, what food you switched to, did you switch abruptly, etc. vaccination history, worming history

[SnowWa]

Many things can affect our or a dog's sugar level - and often this is only temporary and the levels return to normal quickly.

The most common symptoms of diabetes are extreme thirst, frequent urination (because of drinking so much water), extreme hunger, weight loss, and fatigue. "Staggering, shaky, and vomiting" really are not typical diabetic symptoms.

Your vet ruled out diabetes with blood tests and because her blood sugar returned quickly to normal - and with her symptoms, he probably didn't seriously consider diabetes anyway - but did need to start running tests and rule out whatever problems he could.

I don't believe in changing vets everytime you can't find a solution quickly. I'm sure your vet expected you to bring your pup right back in if she didn't improve, and when you do, I'm sure he will consider other causes for her illness and other tests that might be done.

I have said it often, but I can't really understand why people with sick animals come here for solutions or answers to their pets medical needs. I can see why a person might want to see if anyone else has had a pet with a similar problem - but even considering following advise from most of the lay people here on YT is something that I would never do. (Even with my limited knowledge - a hospital supervisor for 10 years and having worked in the medical field for more than 35 years - I would only be guessing. And, I can tell you for certain that I see many very very wrong answers to medical problems here on YT.)

AND - how many times do I read -- "I would change vets!!!!!" Most of the time, this is very poor advise. I think you are always ahead to stay with one vet and let him work through your puppy's problem....changing is expensive and often entails "starting over again," or taking advantage of what the first vet has done and "taking credit for finally solving the problem."

If your puppy is no better, my advise is go back to the vet - and let him continue in his efforts to diagnose your puppy's problem. I know there are a few vets that might not measure up to our expectations, but most vets are good people. They like animals or they wouldn't be in the profession they are in - and they are extremely well educated medical professionals who sometimes (like our own doctors) need more than a single visit to figure out what exactly is going on.

I hope you get your little dog's problem diagnosed and can get her back to feeling 100% well again.

Carol Jean

[Connie]

Welcome to YT and I hope and pray your little one will improve and you will find the answers to her problems!

Originally Posted by SnowWa

I don't believe in changing vets everytime you can't find a solution quickly. I'm sure your vet expected you to bring your pup right back in if she didn't improve, and when you do, I'm sure he will consider other causes for her illness and other tests that might be done.

I have said it often, but I can't really understand why people with sick animals come here for solutions or answers to their pets medical needs. I can see why a person might want to see if anyone else has had a pet with a similar problem - but even considering following advise from most of the lay people here on YT is something that I would never do. (Even with my limited knowledge - a hospital supervisor for 10 years and having worked in the medical field for more than 35 years - I would only be guessing. And, I can tell you for certain that I see many very very wrong answers to medical problems here on YT.)

AND - how many times do I read -- "I would change vets!!!!!" Most of the time, this is very poor advise. I think you are always ahead to stay with one vet and let him work through your puppy's problem....changing is expensive and often entails "starting over again," or taking advantage of what the first vet has done and "taking credit for finally solving the problem."

If your puppy is no better, my advise is go back to the vet - and let him continue in his efforts to diagnose your puppy's problem. I know there are a few vets that might not measure up to our expectations, but most vets are good people. They like animals or they wouldn't be in the profession they are in - and they are extremely well educated medical professionals who sometimes (like our own doctors) need more than a single visit to figure out what exactly is going on.

I hope you get your little dog's problem diagnosed and can get her back to feeling 100% well again.

Carol Jean

It is my opinion that people don't come here to have their yorkies medical problems diagnosed by YT'ers, but to express their concerns and find out if anyone else's yorkie has displayed similar symptoms...also to get ideas of what it possibly could or couldn't be. I have seen times here on YT where someone has asked for info and have been able to pass the info on to their vet and it was something he/she had overlooked...and turned out to be just that! Not everyone here has a medical background, but have learned a lot through YT and their yorkies. I also believe that when someone come here concerned about a sick yorkie, that they are also looking for support, and that's what they get here...love and support and prayers and ideas on what it could or couldn't be. I don't think YT'ers make a diagnosis...they offer ideas and advice and concern and I highly respect the knowledge TY'ers possess.

I also think that if a vet cannot make a diagnosis, that it IS time to get a second opinion. If my vet wasn't doing everything possible to figure out the problem, you can bet I'd seek another, rather than let my yorkie weaken more and possibly suffer permanent effects from lack of treatment. Some vets are more competent than others! JMO

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Connie

Welcome to YT and I hope and pray your little one will improve and you will find the answers to her problems!



It is my opinion that people don't come here to have their yorkies medical problems diagnosed by YT'ers, but to express their concerns and find out if anyone else's yorkie has displayed similar symptoms...also to get ideas of what it possibly could or couldn't be. I have seen times here on YT where someone has asked for info and have been able to pass the info on to their vet and it was something he/she had overlooked...and turned out to be just that! Not everyone here has a medical background, but have learned a lot through YT and their yorkies. I also believe that when someone come here concerned about a sick yorkie, that they are also looking for support, and that's what they get here...love and support and prayers and ideas on what it could or couldn't be. I don't think YT'ers make a diagnosis...they offer ideas and advice and concern and I highly respect the knowledge TY'ers possess.

I also think that if a vet cannot make a diagnosis, that it IS time to get a second opinion. If my vet wasn't doing everything possible to figure out the problem, you can bet I'd seek another, rather than let my yorkie weaken more and possibly suffer permanent effects from lack of treatment. Some vets are more competent than others! JMO

Perfectly said...

I agree - I think more often than not - people really ARE looking for moral support and 10,000 heads are better than one...it's up to the person asking the questions to pick and choose which replies are helpful ...but I've seen many MANY people helped by the members of this site. I do agree we are NOT vets- but experience can be a huge help when someone is looking for answers.

BarbC...I really hope you find the answers you're looking for - and wish you all the best... Don't give up and keep pushing the vet for more specific answers. I also have a 2 year old and I would be very very worried if I saw those symptoms - it's certaintly not normal and I hope you find out what's going on with her. GOOD LUCK !!

[Jaspermom]

Barb, I agree with Villette. You need to move forward and find the cause of your girl's illness. There is indeed something going on, and if your current vet can't figure it out, you need to find a vet that can.

Good luck!

[lisatodd]

how's your baby....did you get a new vet???? i hope all is well.

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

Many things can affect our or a dog's sugar level - and often this is only temporary and the levels return to normal quickly.

The most common symptoms of diabetes are extreme thirst, frequent urination (because of drinking so much water), extreme hunger, weight loss, and fatigue. "Staggering, shaky, and vomiting" really are not typical diabetic symptoms.

Your vet ruled out diabetes with blood tests and because her blood sugar returned quickly to normal - and with her symptoms, he probably didn't seriously consider diabetes anyway - but did need to start running tests and rule out whatever problems he could.

I don't believe in changing vets everytime you can't find a solution quickly. I'm sure your vet expected you to bring your pup right back in if she didn't improve, and when you do, I'm sure he will consider other causes for her illness and other tests that might be done.

I have said it often, but I can't really understand why people with sick animals come here for solutions or answers to their pets medical needs. I can see why a person might want to see if anyone else has had a pet with a similar problem - but even considering following advise from most of the lay people here on YT is something that I would never do. (Even with my limited knowledge - a hospital supervisor for 10 years and having worked in the medical field for more than 35 years - I would only be guessing. And, I can tell you for certain that I see many very very wrong answers to medical problems here on YT.)

AND - how many times do I read -- "I would change vets!!!!!" Most of the time, this is very poor advise. I think you are always ahead to stay with one vet and let him work through your puppy's problem....changing is expensive and often entails "starting over again," or taking advantage of what the first vet has done and "taking credit for finally solving the problem."

If your puppy is no better, my advise is go back to the vet - and let him continue in his efforts to diagnose your puppy's problem. I know there are a few vets that might not measure up to our expectations, but most vets are good people. They like animals or they wouldn't be in the profession they are in - and they are extremely well educated medical professionals who sometimes (like our own doctors) need more than a single visit to figure out what exactly is going on.

I hope you get your little dog's problem diagnosed and can get her back to feeling 100% well again.

Carol Jean

I think YT is an excellent place to start. Of course, it is no substitute for a vet because they have access to diagnostics and medicines that we don't. The more you are informed, the better you can ask and answer questions. I know I diagnosed cushings in my dog and the vet told me he actually would have started with diabetes and thyroid testing. Also, when it came time to discuss the different treatment options I was informed and able to make the decision. Twenty years ago I had a puppy suffering from hypoglycemia - the vet was thinking epilepsy and was just trying to decide what dose of phenobarbital would be safe for a 9 oz. puppy - the breeder insisted I go to another vet and have the blood sugar tested. Guess what the breeder was more familiar with Yorkies than the vet and she was right. Who would think that a dog in the 'prayer position' would indicate pancreatitis or even think to mention it to the vet? YT is what it is - a group of people concerned about you and your pet willing to share their experience and offer advice.

[Connie]

Hi Barb....how is your baby doing? I hope you've found some answers and she's getting back to the norm! Please let us know! Maddie sends kisses!