Lucy back at the Vet today - bile acid testing Monday
 

Oh gosh guys, I spoke too soon earlier this morning.

Lucy did seem much brighter; ate some of her kibble; and drank. Shortly thereafter though, she went and hid in a corner. Then hid under a chair; then tried to go behind the washer/dryer.

The vet was concerned about her behavior changes and wanted to see her.

He again checked her over; heard some small gurgling in her stomach, but could find nothing wrong. No fever; no apparent pain in her limbs, neck, ears, or stomach when he papated and rotated them.

Although we had her liver enzymes tested when I first brought her home and he is not immediately suspicous of liver shunt; we are going to take her in Monday for some fasting bile acid testing.

I feel like crying; in fact I AM crying but I'm not going to think the worst. I'm so scared because her sister ended up having LS - BUT Lucy had a different mother - same father.

It's going to be a very long week-end.

Thanks everyone for listening.

I am so sorry to hear that Lucy is still not well. I will continue to hold you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Huggs

I know from one furbaby mother to another...this is easier said than done, but you cannot worry yourself about it. Pray about it and put it in Gods hands!!! He is the only one who has the control of the situation, not you, not your vet, no one just him! I know what you are going through. It was 2 mths ago, and me and my husband was painting our kitchen, and he left the stir stick down on the plastic drop cloth on the floor and Reese came along and within a blink of an eye she licked it...you talk about freakin out oh my!!!! I was hysterical. I called the vet, they said as long as she was drinking and eating she should be fine, just to keep an eye on here. Well that was a Saturday. The next day that evening she started throwing up, I was glad at first, I thought well maybe this is just her bodies way of getting the toxins out of her system. Well she threw up the next day, I told my mom since she puppy sits her during the day to watch her and if she threw up again to take her to the vet. I was at work, 45 miles away, my mom ended up taking her to the vet, and I was in a panic at work, there was nothing I could do, I could not leave work. I had a panic attack at work while I was on the phone with my mom at the vet waiting to get the blood work results back. Everything was fine...they gave her some meds to help with the upset stomach. But girl all I did that whole weekend was pray to god that he hold Reese tight in his arms and take care of her, and help her get better. I was scared too! But I know god took care of her. I had a dog Mocha before reese that got killed earlier last year by a bull dog, and it about killed me! So now im like super over protective. I hope this helps some. Lots of prayers to you!!!

I know you are right; I have no control. I am going to pray about it and put it in God's hands. I can't even hold her right now because she won't come out of her little carrying crate that we took her to the Vet it.

I can only imagine your panic at work - not being able to leave - I work at home right now instead of an office so that's a good thing.

So sorry about Mocha - that sounds purely horrifying. Gosh; that is terrible.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Just wondering if you contacted the breeder?? I would hope a breeder comes along to answer this question.. I do believe a father can throw a shunt same as the mother. So if both dogs have shunts I would hope she would " fix" all of her animals!! I am hoping and praying that Ringo isnt sick with a shunt, did he do blood tests today to rule out pancreatitis? Were her liver enzymes high to day, what is she doing that he suspects shunt as opposed to pancreatitis?? Does she display the shunt symptoms as well??

Let me throw this out there... did anyone check her anal glands? #1 cause of hiding and weird behavior changes... first thing I look for when I notice anything out of sorts with my FB's. :D

He said he did not suspect pancreatitis at all; not sure why; perhaps because there is no vomiting or diarrhea or fever. Her stomach was not hurting when he felt all around it.

I think he does not know what is wrong and just wants to rule out (hopefully) shunt for now.

And that's probably because of her littermate.

I will contact the breeder if the results come back positive so that she will know.

Oh gosh, I've been crying my eyes out; I think I need to get out of the house for a little while and clear my head. IF I can get Lucy out from under the chair.

did they do an xray to make sure no blockage as just read you gave pig ears and those are hard to digest if she broke a piece off ?

He looked and felt all around her bottom; hopefully, he checked that out.

I know one night she was acting really weird and I finally figured out she had a lot of poo stuck back there!

Is there a specific way to check her anal glands other than the vet looking and feeling around back there?

It's been a while since she had any pig ear - well over a week and she's been pooping ok. She pooped a couple of times today and I took a sample in. TMI I know. The sample checked out ok.

He didn't do an x ray although I'm sure I can ask for one on Monday if everyone thinks it's needed.

Lift her tail with one hand straight up so you can see her anus. Anal glands are located at 4 and 8 o'clock and you can feel them with a gentle touch if they're full or even partially full. To express them, put a thumb and finger on each side towards the bottom and gently push up.

How to Express a Dog's Anal Gland: How to Groom a Dog | eHow.com


Many times groomers and vets will say they checked them but didn't. I always check them myself, to be sure.

This video is a bit dark but you can do a search for others online.

I've seen dogs act like this too if they have fleas or a flea allergy. I just read through your other thread... does her tummy look bloated...is she still gassy...any changes from before? Also, when pups aren't feeling well, they appreciate extra warmth ie: your lap, a heating pad set on low... unless they're running a fever.

I finally got Lucy off the shelf on my nightstand last night where she was hiding out and held her the rest of the night.

I fed her only a small amount of rice this morning - no chicken.

The vet did not think her stomach was bloated and I couldn't feel any obvious gurgling around in there.

This morning she is laying in the kitchen - in front of the heater - more normal for her.

Fingers crossed.

I am keeping Lucy in my prayers, I hope she is going to be fine!

GOOD LUCK ! I'd be freaking too especially since you've already dealt with this. I'm sorry :(....We all hope we get healthy pets and when there is something going on and we dont know what it is ...it IS a big worry. At least you\'re doing everything you can to get to the bottom of this

ps...how did things turn out with her sister ? Is she ok ? I haven\'t been online much for the last 6 months or so