Tatum's Luxating Patella Surgery is Tomorrow (Wednesday)...PLEASE SAY PRAYERS!!!

[stedmansmommy]

Well guys, this update isn't going to be as good as the previous ones have been Tatum is REFUSING to eat her dog food and she hasn't been drinking hardly any water at all, so I have been having to give her water and pedialyte through a syringe. And I don't know how many of you have read what has been going on with my brother, but today is his Birthday and my mom was going to cook him his favorite dinner tonight....well now she is sick (throwing up) and can't do it. Then to make things worse, his soon-to-be ex-wife has been calling him and giving him sob stories and making him even MORE upset. I called him this morning to wish him a Happy Birthday and he sounded soooooooo depressed. My sister told him that he could come over to her house later on tonight but he said that he is just going to go home and watch a movie or something. I feel SO BAD for him. I swear I feel like I am going to have a nervous breakdown. I can't even go and see him on his Birthday because I can't leave Tatum....he is super depressed, my mom is sick and Tatum won't eat or drink and she threw up this morning because she is so hungry, and to top it all off, our T.V. in the living has decided that it wants to just die (it keeps going black every few seconds) so now I won't even have a T.V. in here! I swear I am just about to lose it I feel like I am just a ball of nerves and I literally have butterflies in my stomach. Tatum is whining in her house and I don't know why I HATE THIS.

What in the world do I do to get her to eat??? I cannot stand this, her not eating. It is driving me crazy and I am so worried about her. I don't want her to keep throwing up the yellow bubbly stuff but I cannot keep giving her chicken all the time. She HAS to eat her dog food...but I don't know how to get her to! If I mix anything in there with her dry food, I know she will just pick out or lick off whatever I put in there and leave the kibbles behind. And I don't know why she has decided to stop drinking water on her own. It is soo time consuming giving her syringes full of water and pedialyte ALL DAY LONG. And she gets SICK of it.

Also...I usually put her Cosequin in Cottage Cheese and she licks the bowl clean...well now she won't even eat the Cottage Cheese and she loves it! So I am having to take little pieces of shaved chicken breast lunch meat and sprinkle the Cosequin in it and give it to her that way....but there is SO much powder in those Cosequin capsules and it takes forever and I don't want to have to give her that much lunch meat all the time. UGH!!! I am soooo stressed! They make Cosequin in chews right? I may just have to get those and give up on the sprinkle capsules. I just can't do this everyday....she cannot have lunch meat all the time. But then she may not even want to eat the chew....omg....I am going to lose it.

I don't know...maybe it's worth a try. At this point I am willing to try anything Are the chews as good as the sprinkle capsules? Are they basically the same thing?

Sigh.....

[DENISE517]

I'm so sorry Tat is having a bad day. Try calling the vet and maybe he can give you some advice. Has she went to the poo poo yet? I wish I could think of something she would eat. (blend up the kibble and put over white rice) carrot, apple,??? Maybe the lunch meat has her stomach messed up and she doesn't feel like eating. Or if she is not eating and taking pain meds, this could upset her stomach just like in human? Its weird cause you said she's been eating and drinking. What would make her stop today. Poor baby. I'll be praying for her. I'd call the vet to be on the safe side. She may not want her kibble now cause she got a taste of the good life. lol She probably snapped at Steddy cause she just doesnt feel good.

As for your brother. I wish I could help ya out. Maybe hubby can watch Tat when you get home and you can go visit him. Or move Tat to a room with T>V and invite him over to your house to watch a movie.

Let me know if you need anything. Hugs to you!

[Obie]

Try offering her ice cubes to just lick in a bowl. You may want to check into buying some raw liver for her to eat.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by DENISE517

I'm so sorry Tat is having a bad day. Try calling the vet and maybe he can give you some advice. Has she went to the poo poo yet? I wish I could think of something she would eat. (blend up the kibble and put over white rice) carrot, apple,??? Maybe the lunch meat has her stomach messed up and she doesn't feel like eating. Or if she is not eating and taking pain meds, this could upset her stomach just like in human? Its weird cause you said she's been eating and drinking. What would make her stop today. Poor baby. I'll be praying for her. I'd call the vet to be on the safe side. She may not want her kibble now cause she got a taste of the good life. lol She probably snapped at Steddy cause she just doesnt feel good.

As for your brother. I wish I could help ya out. Maybe hubby can watch Tat when you get home and you can go visit him. Or move Tat to a room with T>V and invite him over to your house to watch a movie.

Let me know if you need anything. Hugs to you!

Hey girl, thanks so much....her surgeon said that I could give her chicken and rice...but if I keep doing that she will NEVER want to eat her dog food I just don't know what to do with her. I am at a total loss. She WILL eat boiled chicken if I give it to her...she always gobbles that down...but when I said she "stopped eating" it's because I haven't been giving her the chicken. I have only been giving her lowfat shaved (very thin) all natural chicken breast when I give her meds in the morning. So she is eating when taking her meds (cause her pain med has to be put on top of food)....and plus I have been putting the Cosequin in the chicken breast as well. I know what she wants....she just wants PLAIN BOILED CHICKEN. But goodness gracious, she HAS to start eating her dog food As for her not drinking any water, I have no idea WHY she started this now....maybe cause she hasn't been eating much? Sigh I don't know...this is just driving me absolutely crazy. I have been giving her Nutri-Cal...but she needs to eat her food!

Thanks so much for all your help girl and I will let you know if I need anything...big hugs to you and Bella

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Obie

Try offering her ice cubes to just lick in a bowl. You may want to check into buying some raw liver for her to eat.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that...I do let her lick on ice cubes sometimes, cause she LOVES ice.

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh dear. Well, it's not the end of the world if you just have to stop Cosequin for a bit, it may only be a few days.

Suggestions - her tummy must be nauseous. I'd clear it w/ your vet to give Pepto - or, ask for Sucralfate (sp?) to soothe the tummy. It's important to get her some carbs quick as this will give energy, stim. appetite, and will help absorb tummy juices. I always keep canned/sliced white potatoes on hand - micro them, mash, bit of butter/salt - and just give straight (no protein) - you can feed just potatoes for a good few days, if she'll eat them. You can also give her some bread or crackers to try get some carbs in there too.

Adding/sprinkling Parmesan cheese can also help, as it's nice and pungent.

Dogs take at least 10 days to get "out of balance" nutritionally - so at this point, just feed her what she'll eat until her appetite improves.

Also, have you tried sweetening her water w/ honey or karo?

Hang in there, dear, you'll get through this and we're all here for you!

[Wylie's Mom]

How many days post-op, btw?

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Hey girl, thanks so much....her surgeon said that I could give her chicken and rice...but if I keep doing that she will NEVER want to eat her dog food I just don't know what to do with her. I am at a total loss. She WILL eat boiled chicken if I give it to her...she always gobbles that down...but when I said she "stopped eating" it's because I haven't been giving her the chicken. I have only been giving her lowfat shaved (very thin) all natural chicken breast when I give her meds in the morning. So she is eating when taking her meds (cause her pain med has to be put on top of food)....and plus I have been putting the Cosequin in the chicken breast as well. I know what she wants....she just wants PLAIN BOILED CHICKEN. But goodness gracious, she HAS to start eating her dog food As for her not drinking any water, I have no idea WHY she started this now....maybe cause she hasn't been eating much? Sigh I don't know...this is just driving me absolutely crazy. I have been giving her Nutri-Cal...but she needs to eat her food!

Thanks so much for all your help girl and I will let you know if I need anything...big hugs to you and Bella

I boil chicken breast & cut them up in little teenie weenie pieces & mix it in their kibble...at first, they only pick out the chiken (smart little rascles) but they start eating the kibble too. After awhile, they'll eat their kibble even though there's no chicken. (When I say they, I'm referring to Mimi & Momo). As for Tator not drinking water, maybe you can offer her some ice cubes...they love mnching on ice cubes. Sweet little Tator Tot...hope she feels better real soon, we're all worried about her & wish her back to her widdle self.

[celstu1]

awww mommy... tater tot loves all her attention! When my Dex got fixed he turned into the little monster prince that he remains today. I am convinced if I didn't baby him 150% for 3 days he wouldn't be AS needy as he is today! LOL I would give her what she'll eat for now. Its only been a couple days, at least you won't need to worry too much. I would ask hubby to stay home tonight and watch Tat and you go visit your brother with a bottle of wine and a small cake. Sounds like you both could use each others company! As long as Tat is safe, warm, with daddy, fed and watered, she will be fine for you to leave for a couple hours to visit your brother. I think he needs you tonight! As for little miss cutie tat.. the more we give in, the more they want. She might have to cry in her bed in for a bit while mommy takes care of herself! You're doing great Brooke!! Shes a lucky little girl!

[TeresaM]

Bless your heart, any one of these things would send me into a tailspin, all of it combined is just a lot to deal with. & for you Sweetie. Praying God sends some extra angels to you today and in the days to come to bring you some peace and strength.

I, too, thought that maybe her tummy is just too upset to want to eat, but you said she'll eat the chicken, so ??? But 3 things that have yet to fail me are Oatmeal, Scrambled Eggs or Mashed Potatoes. They are easy to eat, easy on the tummy and usually see to jump start an appetite. The Pepto is a good thing too, check to see if you can give some of that.

Teresa

[amandawash]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh dear. Well, it's not the end of the world if you just have to stop Cosequin for a bit, it may only be a few days.

Suggestions - her tummy must be nauseous. I'd clear it w/ your vet to give Pepto - or, ask for Sucralfate (sp?) to soothe the tummy. It's important to get her some carbs quick as this will give energy, stim. appetite, and will help absorb tummy juices. I always keep canned/sliced white potatoes on hand - micro them, mash, bit of butter/salt - and just give straight (no protein) - you can feed just potatoes for a good few days, if she'll eat them. You can also give her some bread or crackers to try get some carbs in there too.

Adding/sprinkling Parmesan cheese can also help, as it's nice and pungent.

Dogs take at least 10 days to get "out of balance" nutritionally - so at this point, just feed her what she'll eat until her appetite improves.

Also, have you tried sweetening her water w/ honey or karo?

Hang in there, dear, you'll get through this and we're all here for you!

Great post. I would imagine that her tummy is upset from any/all of the medications she's been getting. Is she still on antibiotics or any pain meds? They can really do a number on them. Her appetite could be suppressed also due to the lack of activity. I know she gets NB Duck and Potato, but what about the canned version? That might get her excited.

I also agree with the pepto and very much about the sucralfate. Sucralfate is an antacid-type product used to treat ulcers, which make for a very upset tummy. If she is the type to internalize things, she could be starting with some ulcers or her stomach lining could be getting irritated from her not eating much.

I also agree with Celstu about 1) the pampering and 2) YOU getting out of the house and making a visit to your brother. He's been through an awful lot. I know Tatum's your girl and a total mommy's girl, but it would really be good for BOTH of you for some separate time. I know she whines when you leave the room, but if you left the house she would be fine as long as your hubby was there. It would be SO GOOD for YOU to get out of the house, which in turn would be good for Tate because she needs a sane mommy!!

She is probably whining because she senses you are about to have a breakdown She could be certified as an anxiety-detecting dog

[BonBon]

Oh boy. I sorry you're having to deal with so much right now. I think you've got some great suggestions from the others. Maybe you and Tatum would both benefit if you went to visit your brother for a couple of hours? Just stay strong, and let us know if there's anything we can do. Sending more prayers and .

[abby2473]

Originally Posted by celstu1

I would ask hubby to stay home tonight and watch Tat and you go visit your brother with a bottle of wine and a small cake. Sounds like you both could use each others company! As long as Tat is safe, warm, with daddy, fed and watered, she will be fine for you to leave for a couple hours to visit your brother. I think he needs you tonight! As for little miss cutie tat.. the more we give in, the more they want. She might have to cry in her bed in for a bit while mommy takes care of herself! You're doing great Brooke!! Shes a lucky little girl!

Looks like the general consensus is that you could use a little break!...:

[stedmansmommy]

Thanks everyone. I read a very touching story on YT and it made me so happy to read it, so I have perked up a little bit finally. She is sleeping now but I am going to make her some mashed potatoes - thank you for the recommendation! I hope she'll eat them I don't know if her tummy is upset...I KNOW she will eat chicken...she just doesn't want her kibble. I guess it could be a little upset from not eating, and possibly form the meds....but I know she has gotten spoiled (already) to the chicken. She will probably eat pretty much anything I offer her at this point, except her kibble. I just don't want to get her too spoiled to "human food" because then I am going to have a real time trying to get her back on her kibble. Don't know if that makes any sense or not? On the other hand, she HAS to eat SOMETHING...so I am going to try the potatoes. I may even grind up some kibble (really fine) in my food processor and mix it in with the potatoes and see if she will go for that (sounds delicious, huh? lol) - but if she doesn't, then I will do just straight potatoes. As for sweetening her water - I can definitely try that also. She has a real problem with honey (she HATES it - lol) but I will have hubby pick up some Karo from the store later.

Thank you all again soo much for your replies/help - I greatly appreciate it! I will let you all know in a little while how it went with the potatoes, lol.

P.S. - Ann....today is 6 days post-op

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

....but I know she has gotten spoiled (already) to the chicken. She will probably eat pretty much anything I offer her at this point, except her kibble. I just don't want to get her too spoiled to "human food" because then I am going to have a real time trying to get her back on her kibble. Don't know if that makes any sense or not?

P.S. - Ann....today is 6 days post-op

It makes sense, I know what you mean. But shoot, even if the stinker gets a little finicky as a result of bowing to her demands now, it might be easier (for you too ) just to give in to her while she's healing, knowing later you can play hardball w/ her when she's all healed up (easier said than done w/ THAT cute face, sheesh). Since she is 6-days post, I agree w/ Amanda then, in that it's probably the other meds.

Hang in there, Brooke, and try to take some time away for yourself, if you can. You need spoilin' too, sometimes!