At a loss.....any thoughts??? (long read)

[My little buddy]

We have a 4 yr old yorkie whom up until recently, has been the most energetic, healthy, and normal specimen of a yorkie that you could want

However, a week ago Friday, all that changed rather drastically.

The following symptoms appeared over about an 8 hour period which eventually caused us to take him into the Michigan State University Animal Hospital:

1. Almost hourly vomiting. Always clear but with foam and sometimes had a jelly like consistency. He would then drink water and repeat the cycle.
2. Stools were basically water with blood.
3. Was developing red colored blotches (not sores) on his belly and inside his ears.
4. Was very lethargic (my guess is due to dehydration).

MSU performed xrays, blood tests, urinalysis, stool sample, and also had him on an IV to get fluids back in him. All the tests came back normal. No blockages, liver and kidney function were normal, no temp, and basically were at a loss to say exactly what was going on. Once they got him rehydrated via an IV for 12 hours or so, he started again drinking and eating without the loose stools or vomiting. They decided to let us take him home to see how he would react, although now his skin was red from head to toe!

He seemed to be coming back nicely at home over the next couple of days. Stools had hardened up some, vomiting had stopped, and he was getting back to his old self more each day. Eating and drinking regularly, good stools (no blood), and we really thought we were getting out of the woods.

So now they were considering starting him on Prednisone for the skin condition as the thinking was that he had some kind of inflammation. His bark also got lower and less sharp which they thought was either due to gerd type issues, or another cause of inflamation. Almost to being hoarse. However, they were leary to do so given his tummy issues. So they had me start giving him doggie Tagamet to settle his stomach in preparation for the Prednisone.

After just one dose of the tagamet (3 days after being home) the vomiting returned, his stools went back to water with a few drops of blood, and he was beginning to show signs of lethargy again. Rather than waiting it out, or letting him get so down as he was the first time, we took him back to MSU immediately.

Second trip they performed over 3 days this time:

1. Another set of xrays of just his lower digestive system since the vomit was clear.
2. Another stool sample
3. Ultra Sound
4. IV's again
5. Skin Biopsy (for the reddened skin that was not getting better)

Again, all the tests came back normal, although we are still waiting on the skin biopsy results. The only thing they have found is that they said there was indications of a bacterial overgrowth in his stool but was not an indication of some kind of serious infection. His temperature has been and still is perfectly normal throughout this entire week. So they have now ruled out basically everything that would be a known cause for this behavior. Everything from pancreatitis or intestinal blockages, to infections or poisionings.

The good news with all this is that his skin is now almost back to normal without any meds, and he was once again drinking and eating normally. Although his bark is still not normal, they once again let us bring him home yesterday evening rather than keep him all weekend. He ate last night and this morning without issues. They now have us feeding him a low residue food that is supposed to be easy on the tummy. And he is drinking ocassionally as well.

The bad news is that his stools over the course of today have returned to basically water or much of nothing, and have seen a few very small streaks of blood in them, but no where near where they were before. I am hoping we are not starting down this path again and we will watch him closely over the night and tomorrow.

Should we have to take him back a third time, they are planning on performing an Endoscopy of his tummy and intestines to try and pinpoint what the heck is going on.

He has already been through so much (as well as our bank account), I just am hoping against hope that he will bounce back and we don't have to keep escallating his tests.

Any thoughts on what might be going on, or suggestions on questions we could ask to make sure they already eliminated that possibility?

Thank you in advance for anything you could think of that may assist us in getting his issues resolved once and for all.

Kat n' Jay

[bjh]

I am so sorry your baby has been going through all this. I really don't know what to advise you since it seems even the vets can't figure it out. What kind of diet is he on? Prior to this did he seem healthy. Has he had any vaccinations recently. Is there any old chew around the house that he could be chewing on that might have bacteria on them? I wish I had some answers for you. I pray that he gets better.

[Oscar's Mummy]

Oh the poor little guy! And poor you — it's so frustrating having a sick puppy and a vet who can't tell you what the problem is.

Have you tried doing some research on google? When ruthie got sick (liver issues) the first thing I did was start doing research so that I would have a better idea of what was really going on - and I had LOTS of questions for the vet after. Have they ruled out inflammatory bowel disease?

Here's a few links I found — not sure if they'll be helpful, but it's worth a try? Maybe you'll find something in here that the vet hasn't thought of.

Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs - Pet Health Information from Vet4Petz.com
Ask the Veterinarian: Liquid stool and Vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, dry dog food
Malabsorption in Dogs
Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs

Welcome to YT — sorry it's under these circumstances — I hope your little one feels better soon!

[My little buddy]

Have they ruled out inflammatory bowel disease?

At this point, they haver ruled out everything that they know of that would cause this type of reaction. Cancer, pancreas, liver, kidney, heart, lungs, all are just fine.

We also have been doing A LOT of reading online and have found that sometimes a parasite infestation will not even show in a blood stool.

So we are going to ask them to at least see about treating him for bacteria or parasite infestations before we have to put him thur the endoscopy procedure.

Thanks for the positive thoughts. We will keep you all updated as we go.

[My little buddy]

Well, Buddy is back at MSU. After a few days of improving symptoms and attitude, he started passing loose stools and some more blood!

He underwent an upper and lower GI today and they found that his intestinal tract is quite inflammed. So finally, they actually have some indications where the problem actually lies.

He is staying there tonight and tomorrow morning they are going to perform endiscopy from both ends..... and take biopsies of his tummy, his upper intestines (if they can get thru the duadum(sp??) and then from his lower intestines. We have been told it could be many things causing this but the biopsies should be the difinitive test to finally figure out what is going on.

I feel so blessed that we have access to such a facility as MSU has and is only about 10 minutes away! He is getting nothing but the best care possible.

Will update again when we hear back on the results of the biopsies.

[Patti]

I feel so bad for Buddy and you. That is so mcuh to go thru. Hopefully they will pinpoint the problem and get him back to health. I will keep him in my prayers.

[bjh]

Thank you so much for the update. I will keep you and Buddy in my prayers.

[My little buddy]

Buddy had his endoscopies yesterday. The biopsies are not back yet, but from visual examination, the following were noticed:

1. Stomach lining looked normal
2. Duodenum appeared to be swollen, not as tight as it should be, and had a yellowish, grainy appearance. They were able to navigate the scope thru and get an additional biopsy of his intestine just below.
3. Colon area appeared to be normal at this time.

We are hoping that the biopsy results will be back sometime today (Fri), but it may not be until Monday. The Dr. called last night and said that Buddy was still recovering from the anesthesia, but was looking around, tiliting his head when they talked to him, and was beginning to show more normal activity. They were going to try to get him to eat some bland foods in a few more hours.

I feel so bad for the little guy with him having to go thru all that he has had to, but in our hearts we know that we are doing everything possible for him and that eases the distress some.

Will update again when we know more.

Thanks go out to those that have expressed their prayers and good wishes. It is MUCH appreciated!