Need advice - Izzy isn't right

[milomlo]

Hi all. I had posted a thread back on the 4th when Izzy went missing and I had so much support from you guys. Well Izzy still isn't right. She is acting way off.

On the 5th I took her to the vet and they recasted her again because of being "lost" she was soaking wet. I really think someone took her and then realized that she was going to need vet care and such and returned her. I think this because she had a diaper on and when she returned she didn't. The diaper she had on is one on that wraps completely around her belly and velcros. If she was in my yard I think I should have found it by now. Anyway I am just happy she is home.

So I took her to the vet on the 5th which was Thursday and they recasted her. I called the vet on the 6th (Friday) because she was just laying in her kennel all day. She did eat twice but that is all and went back to her kennel. Yesterday (Saturday) the same thing. She is just laying in her kennel, I did get her to eat twice on Saturday as well. Here it is Sunday and she is still acting the same.
Saturday afternoon I took her out and we went for a small walk (about 2 house lengths) cause I didn't want to over do it for her. She seemed frisky. She came in and ate and then went and laid down. This morning I took her out again for a walk (we went a little farther this time) but I had to carry her home.

I have given her NutraCal everyday at least twice just in case but she isn't acting any better. I have been feeding her wet food because it is high in water so at least she won't dehydrate.

At first I was thinking that if I gave her a few days the trauma of what happened to her would ware off and she would be back to normal. But now I am so worried that my sweet baby isn't going to return to her usual self.

Any suggestions?

I plan on calling the vet and probably taking her in tomorrow.

[ladybugg74]

I would be sure you call the vet tomorrow and hopefully, all will get better soon. Do dogs suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome? Will be thinking about Izzy. Keep us posted. I would continue to watch to be sure she is eating.

[chattiesmom]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things -- watching her like a hawk and planning to call the vet first thing in the morning. I would think that she should be over the emotional trauma of being stolen from your yard and then being returned. It could be some physical trama that is still going on -- her leg could be hurting or she could be physically exhausted and is still recovering.

I'll keep you and Izzy in my thoughts and prayers and wait for the next update.

[yorkiesjs]

Hi I am so sorry your baby is not feeling well Sometimes when nutrical is used it can cause the sugar levels to go high then low fast...I keep Nutra-Drops on hand and like them better..You can google search them and find a place that sells them Also when I have a baby that is not feeling well I use Childrens unflavored Pedilyte (SP) It keeps them hydrated...And I use a syringe in the side of the mouth so they will drink it. Hope she feels better soon...Shawn

[milomlo]

I am depating on whether or not to take her to a vet that is open today.
What do you guys think? Should I just wait for my vet tomorrow or take her somewhere today?
There is an emergency clinic and then there is also Banifield (the one at petsmart). I was thinking of taking her to the Banifield hospital as they open at noon. But not sure about trying a different vet since mine isn't open.

Has anyone ever used a Banifield Hospital?

[judyeve]

I hope she feels better soon! You need to decide how nervous she's making
you and whether she needs a vet today or tomorrow. I know you'll make the right choice - you know your own dog.

[diggy4]

Gosh....I wish you all the luck in the world....sick babies can stress to you no limit! Please give her kisses from Diggy and Bella and let us know whatthe vet says.....maybe you should take her today whether she needs to or not. That way maybe you can get some peace of mind! They sense when u stress...and I am sure you are worried as can be.

[lisatodd]

i am so very sorry. i hope everything turns out ok. poor little thing has been thru enough

[Yorkiedaze]

Trauma can affect these sensitive little guys in a lot of ways. It may take her quite awhile to feel secure again. I'd get her out of the house as often as possible. Put her in a little carrier that you wear in the front, or in a stroller or wagon. Make some fun days for her. If she doesn't show signs of improvement after a couple of weeks, I'd have the Vet. give her a really good check up with a blood panel. (((hugs))) to your baby. I hope she comes around soon.

[milomlo]

Well I couldn't take it anymore. I took her to Banfield (Petsmart Vet) and they did blood work. Everything came back good. She is afraid maybe she may have some sort of infection with her leg. I told her that the bone didn't go through the skin so she wasn't sure. She went ahead and gave us antibiotics. So I will give her these and if in 3 days she isn't better off to my vet I go.

She did eat a bit when we got home (3 1/2 hours later ) Good news is all liver and kidney function is normal. So hopefully she is just a bit stressed from her ordeal. I just thought she would bounce back after a couple of days. Apparently she has been through more than I thought. My poor baby girl.

[Ozzie'sperson]

You said they had to recast her ... i know from experience, that depending on the angle of the injury, this can hurt like hell!

And, when they're in pain, they can be vocal or just stoic. Ozzie is VERY stoic, so when he doesn't want to eat, doesn't respond to me very well or has a glassy look in his eyes, I know something is up.

I'm hoping she just needs a little extra time to recover. Thoughts and prayers for you both.

[milomlo]

Yeah well being recasted twice in 2 days not to mention being missing for several hours probably has taken its toll on her.

I forgot to say that she does have a fever or 103.8 which is slight from my understanding. But they gave me an antibiotic and told me to give her the Metacam (I think that is what it is), that I got when I first got her casted.

When they recast her they always sedate her. I just wish she was acting like herself she seems so sad.

[judyeve]

Poor baby! She'll come through it. It'll take her time. Animals tend to go off by themselves when they're not feeling well. They separate from the "pack" so to speak, so as not to weaken it. Sorry - a nerd science teacher attack just got me!

Glad you took her to the vet.

[Tina_Luvs_Missy]

Don't worry much, she'll come through soon... the longest probably a month at least.

[milomlo]

Well I took her back to my vet today just to have her checked....again. I know I am way to nervous huh? I took her back because she got out of her kennel today and then went and laid in my closet. My mom freaked me out saying that when animals are about to die that they go away from their owner so she was trying to be by herself. So I immediately called the vet and made an appointment. They told me that was wrong that animals don't do that.

She (the vet) did notice that she is alot more subdued than normal. She said even when she sedates her for the casting she is alot more alert than she is now. Her fever has gone down and is 101...something so it is normal now. She is not dehydrated. All tests were normal (I had my vet recheck the report).

She said for me to just go ahead and give her the antibiotic and give her the pain meds. She had a skin irritation on her leg the last time they recasted because of it being wet when she went missing. So she is thinking maybe that is bothering her. Since we don't know what she went through that maybe she is just traumatized from being missing.
Hopefully her sweet litter personality comes back. She had the cutes personality. I hope she doesn't stay so sad and timid.

So at this time I will just keep an eye on her and keep doing what I've been doing about feedings and such. Then give her the meds daily and next week she should get her cast off and get xray'd again to see how her leg is doing.

Please help me and pray for her leg to be completely healed. She has been through so much lately and I sure don't want her to have to have surgery on that leg after all this.

Thanks for all the help guys! You are all the greatest.

Oh and this is Izzy