Sick yorkie - need advise fast - YorkieTalk.com Forums

HHansen · 10-26-2007, 03:22 PM

About two weeks ago my yorkie started to throw up yellow bile --- took him to vet, he was dehydrated and RBC was high --- vet diagnosed pancreatitis (sp) --- he stayed at the vet for three days on fluids via IV only and then came home --- he wouldn't eat anything at home so three days later we brought him back to vet; vet gave move IV fluids and nutrient shot under skin. Four more days more and dog still hasn't eaten so we brought him back to vet again (today) -- after we dropped of the dog, he apparently took a turn for worse and suffered a seizure; blood tests showed low blood sugar ---they gave him fluids again and he recovered. They did more blood tests and found that test results were worse than two weeks ago. They then did an ultrasound and fund out the pancreas, kidneys, liver, heart, adrenal glands ... everything looked ok and don't think he has pancreatitis

Now they think he has polycythemia vera (PCV) because all the time his RBC (red blood count ?) was high --- at first they thought that the high RBC was caused the the dehydration, now they think it was the other way around and the PCV was causing the problem - theres apparently a blood test that can be done to check for this and they are doing this tomorrow.

The question(s) I have is (1) are we going down the right path here --- we have dog, won't eat, lethargic, throws up yellow foamy stuff, red blood count is high, dehydrated, has low blood suger levels and may have suffered a seizure and (2) If I wanted to get this dog to the best Yorkie doctor in the country, who would that be ?

Please help with any advice/suggestions etc

Thanks

Harold

BLowry · 10-26-2007, 03:26 PM

OMG! That poor little thing! I have no advice for you but, just wanted to say that I hope and pray all goes well for your little one.

kalina82 · 10-26-2007, 03:33 PM

i'm sorry your having so many problems with your yorkie. You might want to see a internal medicine specialist if want more if not better information. your regular vet is good i'm sure but a specialist is always better.

Yorkie3 · 10-26-2007, 03:37 PM

Don't know if he's the best in the country, but I found this on Terri Shumsky's site. She's gone now but was one of the most knowledgable about Yorkies. Maybe if he's still in practice you could contact him.

http://www.vassarsquare.com/

Dr. Dale A. Heisler, D.V.M.

HHansen · 10-26-2007, 03:52 PM

I went to the ACVIM web site and found a potential specialist in CT --- I sent him am email but haven't heard anything back yet.

Theres 5 vets (DVM) in the practicego to --- they took care of my previous yorkie for 15 years; they seem to know what they are doing but this is a unique condition by their own admission so if there were someone else out there that was an yorkie expert, I would seek a second opinion.

Thanks

Sharonandtink · 10-26-2007, 03:55 PM

The yellow foamy stuff could just be from not eating. My Tinkerbell does that too if she does not eat for a while. Do you think he may have ate something and it is blocking something internally? Well I guess that they could tell that on the scans and stuff. Well I hope that you find out what is wrong with your little baby. Good luck and I will be praying for you and your baby.

Yorkiekids · 10-26-2007, 04:41 PM

I can't help you, but he's in my prayers.

Sharonandtink · 10-26-2007, 09:24 PM

Bumping in hopes of someone seeing it.

nvnvgirl · 10-27-2007, 07:11 AM

I don't think I can be of much help, but I can at least try......it's a long ways from you, but I know they do a lot of good stuff at UC Davis vet hospital. Maybe you could check with them and they could give you some direction? I feel so badly for you and your little one. My Max did have pancreatitis, and thank God it resolved after a weekend of what your baby went thru at the beginning. You and your pup are in my prayers. Please keep us updated on how he does and what they find.

domesticated08 · 10-27-2007, 07:30 AM

Hope you find answers soon!! Praying for you and your baby!!

SophieRose · 10-27-2007, 09:42 AM

Wondering how your pup is progressing? I would hope your vets have outside sources to contact and evaluate this serious condition. Personally, I would be very frank with your concerns and do not hesitate to voice your fears.

Warmly, Deborah

PS I have walked in your shoes and it is so frightening. Bless you.

HHansen · 10-27-2007, 03:08 PM

We took him home from vet on friday --- they don;t have someone there 24 hours a day so Vet thought it would be better if he came home over night; we brought him back Sat morning - he go more fluids and IV meds --- he is home right now and will spend the night with us --- if he is going to pass on, its going to be at home with us and not in the some strange kennel.

We still haven't gotten the results of the blood test to check for the PCV -- but the Vet today removed some blood from the dog and gave IV solution in hopes of thinning out his blood -- the belief now is that with the ultrasound eliminating problems with internal organs that the high red blood count and varying blood sugar is the main issue.

When he came home today (Sat) his was a bit better (atleast he seemed to me to be better but I am grasping at any good sign I can see) -- he slept in my arms for 3 hours while wife went out to get some karo syrup --- Vet wants us to mix up the special food with some karo and try to feed it to him several times a day to get him eating -- basically mix everything up and force feed him using a big suringe. So far 4 hours have gone by and he hasn't thrown up his food which is a good sign.

The Vet wants the dog back in on Sun - she is making special trip to see him give him more fluids ...

I am waiting to see the results of the blood test for the PCV -- they have medicines that can be used to treat that but they are very very strong (basically drugs used to treat lukemia/blood cancers) --- so I don't want the Vet to start these until the test confirms the diagnosis.

Thats where we stand right now ---

your prayers are welcome.

HHansen · 10-28-2007, 02:35 PM

Its now Sunday night and I am hoping that the worse has passed --- he is starting to show some life. The latest blood work looked much better after two bleedings of 4mL each to reduce the RBC over two days.

I have gotten him to hold down some food (karo mix with I/D and water) --- he still will not eat but atleast he is holding down what we give him. His temors have stopped and his blood sugar has stabilized. he slept thru Sat night with out waking up and seemed to be restful (as was my wife who has been up with him almost every night, afraid to go to sleep)

Another good sign is that he tried to bite me when I was feeding him with the syringe --- he has always been a high spirited dog and it good to see that his independence and stubbornness is coming back

--- he can bite me all day as long as it means he is feeling better.

He is going back to the vets twice a day to get fluids and recheck his blood. We havent gotten the test results back on whether he has the PCV but the blood letting has made a big difference.

I am hoping/praying that the worse has passed. I thank everyone here for their prayers - I am sure it helped.

pokche · 10-30-2007, 11:33 AM

Just to let you know, I don't know if it can help but my Bikini was on fluid for 5 days and wouldn't eat. After my vet and I decided to remove it, she started eating 2 hours later. The fluid filled her up and she wasn't hungry... She got so sick, I thought I would loose her. So I know its not easy when they are that sick.

Keep us updated

HHansen · 11-01-2007, 10:44 AM

Its now Thursday Nov 1 and change in dog is very positive ---

He is now eating and drinking and very happy --- yesterdays vet visit was good - they removed the IV and he doesn't have to come back until next week. We still don't have results of the test for the polycemthymia vera - thats not back until next week but he is doing much better and everyone is happy

10-26-2007, 03:22 PM	#1
HHansen Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT Posts: 15	Sick yorkie - need advise fast About two weeks ago my yorkie started to throw up yellow bile --- took him to vet, he was dehydrated and RBC was high --- vet diagnosed pancreatitis (sp) --- he stayed at the vet for three days on fluids via IV only and then came home --- he wouldn't eat anything at home so three days later we brought him back to vet; vet gave move IV fluids and nutrient shot under skin. Four more days more and dog still hasn't eaten so we brought him back to vet again (today) -- after we dropped of the dog, he apparently took a turn for worse and suffered a seizure; blood tests showed low blood sugar ---they gave him fluids again and he recovered. They did more blood tests and found that test results were worse than two weeks ago. They then did an ultrasound and fund out the pancreas, kidneys, liver, heart, adrenal glands ... everything looked ok and don't think he has pancreatitis Now they think he has polycythemia vera (PCV) because all the time his RBC (red blood count ?) was high --- at first they thought that the high RBC was caused the the dehydration, now they think it was the other way around and the PCV was causing the problem - theres apparently a blood test that can be done to check for this and they are doing this tomorrow. The question(s) I have is (1) are we going down the right path here --- we have dog, won't eat, lethargic, throws up yellow foamy stuff, red blood count is high, dehydrated, has low blood suger levels and may have suffered a seizure and (2) If I wanted to get this dog to the best Yorkie doctor in the country, who would that be ? Please help with any advice/suggestions etc Thanks Harold

10-26-2007, 03:26 PM	#2
BLowry My furkids Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,625 Blog Entries: 1	OMG! That poor little thing! I have no advice for you but, just wanted to say that I hope and pray all goes well for your little one. __________________ Brenda

10-26-2007, 03:33 PM	#3
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	i'm sorry your having so many problems with your yorkie. You might want to see a internal medicine specialist if want more if not better information. your regular vet is good i'm sure but a specialist is always better. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

10-26-2007, 03:37 PM	#4
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,685	Don't know if he's the best in the country, but I found this on Terri Shumsky's site. She's gone now but was one of the most knowledgable about Yorkies. Maybe if he's still in practice you could contact him. http://www.vassarsquare.com/ Dr. Dale A. Heisler, D.V.M. __________________ Janet

10-26-2007, 03:55 PM	#6
Sharonandtink Proud Alaskan Grandma! Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 1,174	The yellow foamy stuff could just be from not eating. My Tinkerbell does that too if she does not eat for a while. Do you think he may have ate something and it is blocking something internally? Well I guess that they could tell that on the scans and stuff. Well I hope that you find out what is wrong with your little baby. Good luck and I will be praying for you and your baby. __________________ Sharon Paul RIP:Tinkerbell- Sept 1, 2004-Apr 23, 2008 Delilah Please Strive To Be A Positive Poster!!!

10-26-2007, 03:52 PM	#5
HHansen Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT Posts: 15	I went to the ACVIM web site and found a potential specialist in CT --- I sent him am email but haven't heard anything back yet. Theres 5 vets (DVM) in the practicego to --- they took care of my previous yorkie for 15 years; they seem to know what they are doing but this is a unique condition by their own admission so if there were someone else out there that was an yorkie expert, I would seek a second opinion. Thanks

10-26-2007, 04:41 PM	#7
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I can't help you, but he's in my prayers. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

10-26-2007, 09:24 PM	#8
Sharonandtink Proud Alaskan Grandma! Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 1,174	Bumping in hopes of someone seeing it. __________________ Sharon Paul RIP:Tinkerbell- Sept 1, 2004-Apr 23, 2008 Delilah Please Strive To Be A Positive Poster!!!

10-27-2007, 07:11 AM	#9
nvnvgirl Lovin' to the MAX!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yorkieville Posts: 2,774	I don't think I can be of much help, but I can at least try......it's a long ways from you, but I know they do a lot of good stuff at UC Davis vet hospital. Maybe you could check with them and they could give you some direction? I feel so badly for you and your little one. My Max did have pancreatitis, and thank God it resolved after a weekend of what your baby went thru at the beginning. You and your pup are in my prayers. Please keep us updated on how he does and what they find. __________________ Seana and Max and Madison too! Come visit me at: celebritydogwatcher.com

10-27-2007, 07:30 AM	#10
domesticated08 Lovin' every minute Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,132	Hope you find answers soon!! Praying for you and your baby!!

10-27-2007, 09:42 AM	#11
SophieRose Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Petaluma Posts: 2,217	Wondering how your pup is progressing? I would hope your vets have outside sources to contact and evaluate this serious condition. Personally, I would be very frank with your concerns and do not hesitate to voice your fears. Warmly, Deborah PS I have walked in your shoes and it is so frightening. Bless you. __________________ Peace and Light, Deborah My Sweet Sophie 1994-2007Welcome, Charlie Barley 4.14.07 & Sofia Bella 9.13.08 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/535291

10-27-2007, 03:08 PM	#12
HHansen Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT Posts: 15	We took him home from vet on friday --- they don;t have someone there 24 hours a day so Vet thought it would be better if he came home over night; we brought him back Sat morning - he go more fluids and IV meds --- he is home right now and will spend the night with us --- if he is going to pass on, its going to be at home with us and not in the some strange kennel. We still haven't gotten the results of the blood test to check for the PCV -- but the Vet today removed some blood from the dog and gave IV solution in hopes of thinning out his blood -- the belief now is that with the ultrasound eliminating problems with internal organs that the high red blood count and varying blood sugar is the main issue. When he came home today (Sat) his was a bit better (atleast he seemed to me to be better but I am grasping at any good sign I can see) -- he slept in my arms for 3 hours while wife went out to get some karo syrup --- Vet wants us to mix up the special food with some karo and try to feed it to him several times a day to get him eating -- basically mix everything up and force feed him using a big suringe. So far 4 hours have gone by and he hasn't thrown up his food which is a good sign. The Vet wants the dog back in on Sun - she is making special trip to see him give him more fluids ... I am waiting to see the results of the blood test for the PCV -- they have medicines that can be used to treat that but they are very very strong (basically drugs used to treat lukemia/blood cancers) --- so I don't want the Vet to start these until the test confirms the diagnosis. Thats where we stand right now --- your prayers are welcome.

10-28-2007, 02:35 PM	#13
HHansen Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT Posts: 15	Its now Sunday night and I am hoping that the worse has passed --- he is starting to show some life. The latest blood work looked much better after two bleedings of 4mL each to reduce the RBC over two days. I have gotten him to hold down some food (karo mix with I/D and water) --- he still will not eat but atleast he is holding down what we give him. His temors have stopped and his blood sugar has stabilized. he slept thru Sat night with out waking up and seemed to be restful (as was my wife who has been up with him almost every night, afraid to go to sleep) Another good sign is that he tried to bite me when I was feeding him with the syringe --- he has always been a high spirited dog and it good to see that his independence and stubbornness is coming back --- he can bite me all day as long as it means he is feeling better. He is going back to the vets twice a day to get fluids and recheck his blood. We havent gotten the test results back on whether he has the PCV but the blood letting has made a big difference. I am hoping/praying that the worse has passed. I thank everyone here for their prayers - I am sure it helped.

10-30-2007, 11:33 AM	#14
pokche Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 240	Just to let you know, I don't know if it can help but my Bikini was on fluid for 5 days and wouldn't eat. After my vet and I decided to remove it, she started eating 2 hours later. The fluid filled her up and she wasn't hungry... She got so sick, I thought I would loose her. So I know its not easy when they are that sick. Keep us updated __________________ Last edited by pokche; 10-30-2007 at 11:34 AM.

11-01-2007, 10:44 AM	#15
HHansen Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: CT Posts: 15	Its now Thursday Nov 1 and change in dog is very positive --- He is now eating and drinking and very happy --- yesterdays vet visit was good - they removed the IV and he doesn't have to come back until next week. We still don't have results of the test for the polycemthymia vera - thats not back until next week but he is doing much better and everyone is happy