[yorkietalkjilly]

Tibbe was scheduled for a recheck today & he had a mucous-y stool again today. Took it in, normal except for the mucus. The vet said she didn't think the rawhide chews were a problem as he doesn't chew/swallow them but they are all gone as a precaution anyway. She thinks that the 6 pieces of Iams ProActive kibble I gave him as training treats Sunday did it. (I knew I shouldn't but he was so proud of doing his training so so well & I was so sure he was finally well.) That was the day I thought he was back - he was feeling so good & so vigorously playing.

Said he could have chronic IBD but thinks this is an irritation that keeps getting tweaked by one thing or another & this episode could be from the Iams. But, said it could be pure coincidence & those 6 tiny pieces of Iams really didn't do it. Says as he eats well, albeit usually with coaxing and soaked, hasn't lost weight, has no frank diarrhea, she just doesn't think there is anything serious going on other than this G-I thing that is going to take some time to settle down. Said keep doing all the same things she told me.

I've been so hesitant to bathe him or clean his ears since he's been sick that I wanted her too look at his left ear, which smelled some & looked a little red today. She agreed something going on so cleaned his ears as only the vet can do(not me), pulled hairs, too, & did a swab micro exam, found a fungal infection! He's now on cleaning ears twice daily for 3 weeks followed 30 mins. later by a "new" ear medicine. I feel so so so bad. He hasn't been scratching his ears or shaking his head - well, he did scratch that ear for about 5 mins. Monday but none since! And because I was a wus & didn't want to disturb him any more than his sick tummy was doing to him & didn't keep up routine ear cleaning throughout this, he's got a low-grade ear infection on top of his tummy troubles. He's still not scratching it or shaking his head so it had just blossomed yesterday or today I guess as Monday after his scratching session, there was no smell or redness.

I think we're both tired of going to the vet seemingly every other day & he's sooooooooooo tired of me watching him all the time, I'll bet, and I know he's tired of a bad tummy so we've made a pact that he'll get well & I'll quit hovering & follow the vet's order to the very letter, no matter how hard he begs for his old treats. They have been tossed, too. Boy, I hope we can keep that pact. I am ready for my heretofore-healthy little fireball to get well & stay that way!