Please pray for Fitzgerald - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Stephen · 06-15-2007, 06:49 AM

Yes, there is surgery, but the first vet said that surgery only works if it's a problem in a large area of the liver. But he said the xray looks as if there is a problem in several small areas, which can't be corrected with surgery.

Also, sympa, I have definitely considered the fact that it's petland's vet and so they might be trying to prevent me from replacing the puppy. Petland does offer a year guarantee against genetic disorders, so they'd have to do a LOT of extra work to keep him alive for another 11 months.

The first vet acted like the dog was doing to die by this weekend, and this other vet is saying the dog is stable and appears to be happy.

LullaBelle · 06-15-2007, 09:52 AM

I will keep praying for you and your pup! Get well soon!!!!

sympa · 06-15-2007, 10:28 AM

that we bought our puppy from petland as well....if only we knew then what we know now but then we wouldn't have our miko. we certainly won't make the same mistake twice though.
it sounded from your last post like the original vet is diagnosing liver shunt for sure, lots of smaller ones. is that right? if that's the case, i would get a second opinion from a vet not affiliated with petland. if you get the same diagnosis a second time and the petland vet still won't diagnose it (if they say it's vaccination related then it's not genetic, they won't have to replace your pup if you lose him) then with the two diagnoses from 2 separate vets, that would certainly put pressure on them.
if worse comes to worst, tell them you have a family member who's a lawyer who has offered to look into your contract and they're prepared to make petland abide by the contract.
please keep us posted. of course, after all i typed above, i'd much rather hear from you that your fitz is feeling better and is on the mend.
please take good care.

my heart breaks for you and your pup.

Stephen · 06-15-2007, 10:35 AM

Update:

The vet called me with this news: Fitzy's red cell count is up, and there is no longer blood in his stools. They want to do one final blood test to see if it's a liver shunt. They will do it tomorrow, and if it is a liver shunt, they will remove it with surgery. He said that 75% of liver shunts are curable, and the other 25% are usually manageable with a diet. He also said that petland will take care of the bills.

Things seem to be looking up for Fitzgerald, but like you said sympa, I hope they aren't using the vaccine reaction as an excuse not to replace the dog if he ends up dying.

LullaBelle · 06-15-2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

Update:

The vet called me with this news: Fitzy's red cell count is up, and there is no longer blood in his stools. They want to do one final blood test to see if it's a liver shunt. They will do it tomorrow, and if it is a liver shunt, they will remove it with surgery. He said that 75% of liver shunts are curable, and the other 25% are usually manageable with a diet. He also said that petland will take care of the bills.

Things seem to be looking up for Fitzgerald, but like you said sympa, I hope they aren't using the vaccine reaction as an excuse not to replace the dog if he ends up dying.

It is good that you are sceptical and you should be, this is your baby we are talking about. You are a good parent for doing so.
I just have to wonder if by some shread of humanity the pet store requires this vet bc they are good or the best they have found. It would be a question I would personaly entertain, if you were looking for an opinion. I hope for your babies sake that is the fact! You guys are in my prayers!

sympa · 06-15-2007, 12:41 PM

out of curiousity, was it the original vet you took him to or the petland vet that said his numbers had improved? when you get him back, if he still seems off to you then take him in for the other vet to run the blood work and double check that the petland vet is giving you the right figures.
it looks like things are really getting better for you guys and i really hope that's the case. i only remain cynical because as you know and as i've said, for some people it's all about the bottom line ($$$). please take good care. keep us posted. i keep logging on to yt to see what's up with fitz

Stephen · 06-15-2007, 01:42 PM

Yeah, it was the petland vet who said his numbers were better. We have Fitzy back and he seems to almost be back to his old self (and now he's humping his big sheep toy!) We take him back tomorrow to check for the shunt. I'll keep you all posted.

judyeve · 06-15-2007, 02:15 PM

What good news! I hope he just is better and you can put this all behind you.

Rudys Mom · 06-15-2007, 02:28 PM

Oh my goodness, I'm just reading all this now. Poor Fitzgerald I hope tomorrow the vet gives you good news and as others have said, you can put this all behind you.

They worry us so... much when their sick but as all of you on here know why, because we love them so... much.

SophieRose · 06-15-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

Update:

The vet called me with this news: Fitzy's red cell count is up, and there is no longer blood in his stools. They want to do one final blood test to see if it's a liver shunt. They will do it tomorrow, and if it is a liver shunt, they will remove it with surgery. He said that 75% of liver shunts are curable, and the other 25% are usually manageable with a diet. He also said that petland will take care of the bills.

Things seem to be looking up for Fitzgerald, but like you said sympa, I hope they aren't using the vaccine reaction as an excuse not to replace the dog if he ends up dying.

I am putting my two cents in with this advice: If Petland's vet is similar to Banfield @ Petco's, run the other way. They are substandard and similar to HMO's. Good luck with sweet Fritz and you want him well, not suffering in a few months with some misdiagnosed ailment. Don't mean to sound harsh, however, a vet with accredition would be my first option. Warmly, Deborah

sympa · 06-15-2007, 04:39 PM

i'll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow about fitz's condition.
i'm glad he seems to be on the mend and very happy he's back with you guys now.
take good care.

bettyeanne · 06-15-2007, 04:58 PM

I will be praying that news tomorrow will be good!! God bless you all.

wemple2 · 06-15-2007, 05:13 PM

I will continue to send thoughts and prayers that Fitz really will be okay. I too understand the skepticism, you have to wonder...after all it's your babies health that is the most important, I really do think if it were me, I'd get a third opinion, preferably a specialist with liver shunts...that would definitely not have a hidden agenda. I do hope and pray that he will be taken care of, and lives a happy, healthy long life...

Stephen · 06-15-2007, 07:37 PM

The only peace of mind I get with using petland's vet is that the vet office was around before petland ever opened and it's one of the larger ones in baton rouge (baton rouge folk, are you familiar with Sherwood South Animal Hospital?). There are 5 doctors there, and two of them I've met and they are very friendly and seem knowledgeable. With all the work they might have to do (if it's a liver shunt), it would cost more than I paid for the dog, and since petland is paying for it, I feel a bit better about that. The puppies might come from horrible horrible puppy mills, but perhaps the individual owners of these stores show a little more ethics in their customer service... just maybe...

Anna Banana · 06-15-2007, 07:46 PM

Glad things are looking promising!!!

06-15-2007, 09:52 AM	#32
LullaBelle YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ME Posts: 275 Blog Entries: 1	I hope you get some consistant answers. I will keep praying for you and your pup! Get well soon!!!! __________________ LullaBelle's Mommy I love my Coastiewww.dogster.com/?410337

06-15-2007, 10:28 AM	#33
sympa Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 43	i must confess that we bought our puppy from petland as well....if only we knew then what we know now but then we wouldn't have our miko. we certainly won't make the same mistake twice though. it sounded from your last post like the original vet is diagnosing liver shunt for sure, lots of smaller ones. is that right? if that's the case, i would get a second opinion from a vet not affiliated with petland. if you get the same diagnosis a second time and the petland vet still won't diagnose it (if they say it's vaccination related then it's not genetic, they won't have to replace your pup if you lose him) then with the two diagnoses from 2 separate vets, that would certainly put pressure on them. if worse comes to worst, tell them you have a family member who's a lawyer who has offered to look into your contract and they're prepared to make petland abide by the contract. please keep us posted. of course, after all i typed above, i'd much rather hear from you that your fitz is feeling better and is on the mend. please take good care. my heart breaks for you and your pup.

06-15-2007, 12:41 PM	#36
sympa Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 43	glad to hear the good news about fitz out of curiousity, was it the original vet you took him to or the petland vet that said his numbers had improved? when you get him back, if he still seems off to you then take him in for the other vet to run the blood work and double check that the petland vet is giving you the right figures. it looks like things are really getting better for you guys and i really hope that's the case. i only remain cynical because as you know and as i've said, for some people it's all about the bottom line ($$$). please take good care. keep us posted. i keep logging on to yt to see what's up with fitz

06-15-2007, 02:15 PM	#38
judyeve Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,729	What good news! I hope he just is better and you can put this all behind you. __________________ *Judy, Max and Annie* *Rest in Peace my Sweet Angel Gracie Leigh:*

06-15-2007, 02:28 PM	#39
Rudys Mom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 4,327	Oh my goodness, I'm just reading all this now. Poor Fitzgerald I hope tomorrow the vet gives you good news and as others have said, you can put this all behind you. They worry us so... much when their sick but as all of you on here know why, because we love them so... much. __________________ Rudy, Zoey & Buster's mom (Dawn) Rest In Peace my precious Gracie girl & Lucky buddie Dogster:http://www.dogster.com/dogs/382659 & http://www.dogster.com/dogs/497315

06-15-2007, 06:49 AM	#31
Stephen Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 37	Yes, there is surgery, but the first vet said that surgery only works if it's a problem in a large area of the liver. But he said the xray looks as if there is a problem in several small areas, which can't be corrected with surgery. Also, sympa, I have definitely considered the fact that it's petland's vet and so they might be trying to prevent me from replacing the puppy. Petland does offer a year guarantee against genetic disorders, so they'd have to do a LOT of extra work to keep him alive for another 11 months. The first vet acted like the dog was doing to die by this weekend, and this other vet is saying the dog is stable and appears to be happy.

06-15-2007, 10:35 AM	#34
Stephen Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 37	Update: The vet called me with this news: Fitzy's red cell count is up, and there is no longer blood in his stools. They want to do one final blood test to see if it's a liver shunt. They will do it tomorrow, and if it is a liver shunt, they will remove it with surgery. He said that 75% of liver shunts are curable, and the other 25% are usually manageable with a diet. He also said that petland will take care of the bills. Things seem to be looking up for Fitzgerald, but like you said sympa, I hope they aren't using the vaccine reaction as an excuse not to replace the dog if he ends up dying.

06-15-2007, 01:42 PM	#37
Stephen Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 37	Yeah, it was the petland vet who said his numbers were better. We have Fitzy back and he seems to almost be back to his old self (and now he's humping his big sheep toy!) We take him back tomorrow to check for the shunt. I'll keep you all posted.

06-15-2007, 04:39 PM	#41
sympa Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 43	i'll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow i'll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow about fitz's condition. i'm glad he seems to be on the mend and very happy he's back with you guys now. take good care.

06-15-2007, 04:58 PM	#42
bettyeanne Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc. Posts: 9,031	I will be praying that news tomorrow will be good!! God bless you all. __________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://www.yorkierescuecolorado.com/ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein

06-15-2007, 05:13 PM	#43
wemple2 Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois Posts: 9,666	I will continue to send thoughts and prayers that Fitz really will be okay. I too understand the skepticism, you have to wonder...after all it's your babies health that is the most important, I really do think if it were me, I'd get a third opinion, preferably a specialist with liver shunts...that would definitely not have a hidden agenda. I do hope and pray that he will be taken care of, and lives a happy, healthy long life... __________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels

06-15-2007, 07:37 PM	#44
Stephen Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 37	The only peace of mind I get with using petland's vet is that the vet office was around before petland ever opened and it's one of the larger ones in baton rouge (baton rouge folk, are you familiar with Sherwood South Animal Hospital?). There are 5 doctors there, and two of them I've met and they are very friendly and seem knowledgeable. With all the work they might have to do (if it's a liver shunt), it would cost more than I paid for the dog, and since petland is paying for it, I feel a bit better about that. The puppies might come from horrible horrible puppy mills, but perhaps the individual owners of these stores show a little more ethics in their customer service... just maybe...

06-15-2007, 07:46 PM	#45
Anna Banana YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,025	Glad things are looking promising!!! __________________ Anna and Wobie