Please Help

[Lizzie07]

Originally Posted by armyvet717

The Vet checked her ears and only stated that they were "slightly more reddish" that normal, and that the benadryl should take care of it. No bad smell, and no excesive shaking of her head... Just the rubbing of her face...
Explained everything to Vet, but she did not seem to be too extremley concerned about her condition, although I was/am... So far today, she has been less "frightened", and more coudly. Wanting to sleep right next to me instead of on the kitchen floor under the table. She has gone outside twice already with my Cousin and his Corgie, and has gotten excited to do so... I am really starting to beleive that the generic benadryl is the true cause of her discomfort, and that I should use the name brand in a few days...

One of my IGs was rubbing her face, under her left eye and I thought she probably had something wrong with her mouth, was afraid of that, but it turned out to be her eye. Ended up at an opthamologist and she has a luxating lens. It has luxated toward the back, which is preferable and less painful than if it were toward the front of the eye.

Has your girl had a dental lately? Could it be her teeth or an eye problem?

[kjc]

Originally Posted by angeleyes

I just needed to stick this in here somewhere hoping somone has an idea to help my baby Belle. Since the day we brought Belle home at 12 weeks and 2 pounds she has been attached to her big brother TJ our 85 pound Lab. He was her security, her playtoy, her everything. TJ was 13 and had Cushings disease, he was beginning to get sicker and doing odd things he had never done before.The vet said we could operate and remove the tumor and try all these different medications. HE IS 13, why would we put him through that?? We finally had to put him down about 3 weeks ago. We took Belle with so she would know where TJ went instead of looking and waiting for him. After he was gone, she sniffed him and kept pushing at him to get up, it was so sad I still cry alot. We moved about 2 weeks later and Belle has developed severe seperation anxiety. I have not left her alone for 1 minute. Either my DH or myself is with her all the time. When my husband goes to work she lays by the door and cries. I try to keep her busy but sometimes it's hard to keep her attention. Any suggestions what I might try to help her? I would love to get another puppy for her but the cottages we live in don't allow dogs unless your doctor says they are needed for your health. Belle is what keeps my depression from going to deep. Any help would be so appreciated, I can't bear the thought of leaving her alone.

There is a section under 'Service Dogs' called 'Emotional Support Dogs' may be worth looking into... then your Doc could write you a letter...

Dogs grieve too and it may take time for her to adjust. I also took my little one with us when we had our GSD PTS, I don't recommend it... but I guess it depends on each individual dog too.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by kjc

Hi. Just seeing this thread and could add a few things for your consideration:

What kind of bowl are you using for her food and water? If it is plastic of any kind, toss it and get stainless steel or ceramic. Plastics can leach out chemicals into the food and water that can cause contact dematitis on the face and can may some of the more sensitive little ones quite ill. It can be a progressive type thing so although it may not have bothered her in the past, this could now cause a problem. Also as the plastics age, they can break down more and become more of a threat.

Chicken is the #1 allergen in Yorkies. Maybe try a food based on a different protein source.

Also, many grocery store brands (and others) use harmful ingredients. Things to watch out for are:

Ethoxyquin is a common preservative found in many petfoods, and if not listed outright in the ingredients, may also be found in foods containing fish meal of any kind.

Even though the foods offered at Petsmart and Petco are generally more expensive, many require that a lesser amount is fed to supply the necessary nutrients required for a pup, thereby making them less expensive in the long run, and as most are made from better quality ingredients, they can keep your pup healthier resulting in less trips to the vets office.

Hope this helps... if I think of anything else... I'll be back!

In addition to problems with plastics, the only stainless steel or ceramic/porcelain I will use for my dogs is that which has been manufactured in the US due to lead contamination found in other countries. I also have glass that has been manufactured in the US.
Even walmart carries glass and some ceramics that are made here so easy to find if you're checking.

[armyvet717]

I was instructed to give the antibotic for 5 days. The pharmacy where I purchased it gave me an additional 5 days for future use. Hence the reason I did not give it all to her... The reason it was given to her was for an intestinal parasite which was causing diarrhea. After 2 days, it began clearing up and was all but stopped by day 4.

Now for the update:
As of my last post yesterday the vomitting did go away. We had a family reunion that I myself attended while Mom stayed home with the Baby. She kept me updated on her condition, and of course had ER numbers, Vet numbers, and everything else. She spoke to a friend who works in a Vet's office back in CA, and explained the situation. She told Mom to feed a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice, with the focus being the rice. She did eat, but was picking the chicken out or spitting out the rice. Yes, I said spitting out the rice. When I got home, I mixed a little of the chicken broth with the rice, chopped the chicken into an almost past like consistency and mixed it with the rice and juice. She ate every bit of it. She ate more later on last night, but has not eaten as of this morning. Her stool early (3am) was soft, and then around 8, was watery/yellowish in color. Also, she will not drink water, or is not drinking while we are watching. Called the ER Vet, and am waiting for a call back...
Updates to follow...

[ladyjane]

She may be getting enough water from the rice and chicken broth. If you want to check for dehydration, lift her upper lip and lightly touch her gums. If they are dry and sticky to the touch, she is dehydrating and needs to be seen.

[yorkieusa]

Thanks for the update. I really hope you get some answers soon. It seems like she's been sick for awhile now.

[Vinniedoggy]

Consult with your vet, but I would try Zyrtec instead. Benadryl can react really strangely in some dogs. My one yorkie tolerates it just fine, but when I gave it to my other yorkie once, he acted REALLY weird. Instead of making him tired, it made him very energetic and slightly compulsive. Once it cleared his system, he was back to his normal self. According to my vet, Zyrtec is better tolerated by dogs. My little guy with allergies gets a whole Zyrtec pill each night before he goes to bed. It helps his allergies and allows him (and us) to sleep through the night.

[armyvet717]

UPDATE...
Bailey saw the ER Vet yesterday. She was given fluids under her skin, instructions for a bland diet which includes baby food and rice. We are to feed this for 5 days, and get her into a regular Vet. We were told she may have an underlying intestinal issue or possible pacreatitus. The Vet also said it could be do to her allergies and the generic formula bendaryl we administered, although they are suppose to be the same. She said it could be the bubble gum flavoring or something simple like that that caused the stress. We know she has an intestinal issue becuase of the mucus like substance she was passing. Her grandparents arrived yesterday, which made her perk up quite a bit, and we got her some chicken and gravy baby food which she just loved. Today she has eaten rice/baby food mixture, but has not yet drank any water (Keepin an eye out for that), but the Vet said she could be fine from the fluids they gave her, so not to worry too much until tomorrow. Her ears are perky, and last night she was playing with her stuffed animal, nawing on her raw-hide, and chasing her granddad... Today, she is a little depressed and the grandparents were only here until this morning, but she has eaten since they left, and is and has been napping as the weather is a bit on the chilly side. Soft stool, but not diarrhea, no vomitting, or seclusion...

Now for the question of the day...
We have been considering insurance to help with the Vet bills since I am displaced from work. I have looked into several different companies. Can anyone help me in deciding what is best? I have looked at the "Carecard" credit card, VPI, ASPCA, and a few others... I could really use some input from those who have it...
Thank you!!

[armyvet717]

Ok, I uploaded a couple pics to my album. I cannot get one to upload to my profile pic... So if you would like to see the pics I assume you can view my album since it is public...

[lexi43]

I have care credit and I think it's great. They give you several payment options. It got me through alot of terrible finiancial times. They let you pay off the debt interest free. It all depends on the amound on your vet bill. My was $3700 and they let me pay it off in 24 months.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by armyvet717

UPDATE...
Bailey saw the ER Vet yesterday. She was given fluids under her skin, instructions for a bland diet which includes baby food and rice. We are to feed this for 5 days, and get her into a regular Vet. We were told she may have an underlying intestinal issue or possible pacreatitus. The Vet also said it could be do to her allergies and the generic formula bendaryl we administered, although they are suppose to be the same. She said it could be the bubble gum flavoring or something simple like that that caused the stress. We know she has an intestinal issue becuase of the mucus like substance she was passing. Her grandparents arrived yesterday, which made her perk up quite a bit, and we got her some chicken and gravy baby food which she just loved. Today she has eaten rice/baby food mixture, but has not yet drank any water (Keepin an eye out for that), but the Vet said she could be fine from the fluids they gave her, so not to worry too much until tomorrow. Her ears are perky, and last night she was playing with her stuffed animal, nawing on her raw-hide, and chasing her granddad... Today, she is a little depressed and the grandparents were only here until this morning, but she has eaten since they left, and is and has been napping as the weather is a bit on the chilly side. Soft stool, but not diarrhea, no vomitting, or seclusion...

Now for the question of the day...
We have been considering insurance to help with the Vet bills since I am displaced from work. I have looked into several different companies. Can anyone help me in deciding what is best? I have looked at the "Carecard" credit card, VPI, ASPCA, and a few others... I could really use some input from those who have it...
Thank you!!

I will leave it to others to advise on the ways to help fund the vet bills except to say that a customer of mine had told me some good things about Trupanion Pet Insurance so you might want to check them out.

RE: the pancreatitis - be careful with gravies or anything that is rich. Pancreatitis treatment is supportive and usually requires the owner to feed a bland diet and low fat so as to not make the pancreas angry. Your vet may have already talked to you about this. I will also tell you that pancreatitis can run into the thousands so this is not one to mess with!

[yorkieusa]

I had to go look at Bailey's pics and she is quite precious. The other day when you described her stool as being yellowish in color, I have to admit I wondered about pancreatitis. I knew a lady who had one with it and when she got sick that is what color her stool was. I'm hoping that isn't what is wrong with Bailey. Her little girl was withheld from food for 24 hrs and then placed on a bland diet of Science Diet I/D. She was given a digestive enzyme because they are not able to digest food the same as before since her pancreas were compromised. Her little girl did fine and that was all there was to it. She has now passed away but she lived to a ripe old age. It is a low fat diet. As far as insurance, you may run into the problem of them precluding whatever is presently or in the past been a medical issue for Bailey. I had VPI for the first year of Kacee's life, just in case there were any major issues. But she has luckily been healthy and had no issues in her five+ years. I would imagine Care Credit would be of assistance to you. You just have to know your own situation and investigate each one to see how it would fit into your situation. When you take Bailey to the vet, they will do a blood test. They can tell from this test if she has pancreatitis. As far as other issues, I don't know. Sending you all the best.

[armyvet717]

CareCard seems like the way to go, I am just not sure... More confusing than my own insurance. Thanks Lexi43
107Barney- I think the only reason the Vet brought it up was because a friend of my Wife's told her that these dogs are prone to pracriatitis (sp). Whether that is it or not, we have no clue. One we get in to see a Vet, I can let them see exactly what has been going on, the treatments that have been given, and of course what we have been feeding her. I have been mixing the chicken and gravy baby food with rice, and she loves every bit of it. The instructions said 3 to 4 times a day, so I feed her just a couple spoon fulls at a time... Her tummy is already the size of an almond, so 3 to 4 times is asking a lot. LOL
As for the cost, I read that it can get expensive, and that is one of the reasons we decided on getting insurance... Better safe than sorry... Hopefully it is just an intestinal issue like IBS, or inflamed intestines. Would much rather feed her all natural foods (which we will start doing anyways) than having to feed her bland, tasteless diets with tons of meds...

[armyvet717]

Thanks yorkieusa...
She is quite precious and of course SASSY!!!
The ER Vet did say that Hill's ID, Natural Balance, and Purina EN are a couple of the best "all natural" foods on the market, and for us to try one or all to see which she enjoys more. She also said there is nothing wrong with feeding her beef, chicken, lamb, or veal baby food mixed with her dry food. She said the baby foods are high in protein, and are designed to be gentle on the tummy. So far, she loves it and has "scarfed" every bit of the mixture... I am thinking that since no tests have been done, getting insurance should not be an inssue, but you are right. If it was documented that she has or had something, I am sure they would not cover "pre-existing" conditions like our healthcare companies do... I am leaning towards the Carecard, just not sure we will get approved because of my situation... If not, I guess plan B and ASPCA insurance wins... LOL

[Vinniedoggy]

Vinnie suffered from a bout of pancreatitis years ago and it was horrible. He puked for days, had to be admitted to the hospital briefly, and it took a few weeks to clear up. His symptoms were similar to what you describe (vomiting, mucous in his stool, etc).

A few things to consider -

1. One of the things that REALLY helped Vinnie was switching to a raw diet. I feed him Nature's Variety raw medallions. They are great and perfectly balanced for a dog.

2. Vinnie did develop an intolerance to chicken for about 3 years. It's apparently really common in dogs.

3. You mentioned in one of your other posts giving your dog frozen yogurt. I used to do that with Vinnie, but realized it was making him sick. Sugar is a HUGE no-no for dogs, so they are better off getting plain, full-fat yogurt (with no sugar added).

4. For Vinnie, when he is having one of his bouts, Flagyl works wonders. You can get it from your vet.

I feel your pain re; the vet bills. I take my little guys to the vet all the time. I have VPI for one of them and Trupanion for the other. I earn a very decent salary, but even I'm sometimes amazed at the cost of our vet (especially here in the DC area). It's a reality that we have to face and I don't blame you at all for considering it, as it doesn't sound like you're being neglectful at all. I even think the same thing about my own doctor's visits these days, and I'm fortunate to have great insurance!

Anyway, some things I've found to help control the costs include:

-Asking upfront what things cost and deciding what things are the most important to be done;
-Doing a lot of preventative stuff at home, namely TOOTH BRUSHING. Yorkies are prone to having bad teeth. If you brush their teeth every night, however, you can save TONS of money. I know this from experience. Vinnie and Alex get their teeth brushed every night, NO EXCEPTIONS. I spend about $10/month on toothpaste and brushes for them.

-Feed raw. I really believe (based on my own experience and what I've read) that feeding raw can really keep dogs healthier. This is just based on my observations over the years, especially in dealing with Vinnie and now my new little guy. Our old dog, Guru, lived to the ripe old age of 17+. He was healthy right up to the end and I believe that part of that was due to the excellent home-cooked diet he had. Unfortunately, conventional pet food is not that healthy.

As for insurance - I've been moderately happy with VPI, although the premiums go up each year. I've yet to have any experience with Trupanion (other than paying the monthly premium), but their premiums don't go up. One thing to think about - once your dog turns 7 or so, you can't really switch companies too easily. So do your research for what works best for your budget.