Unexplained Illness - Not Eating
 

Friends, I need your help and ideas.

My 4yr old Lola has been sick since noon on Sunday (1/9/11). She was lethargic all afternoon (ate scrambled eggs at lunch time), then started vomiting at 10pm. She threw up every 2hrs after that. She hadn't pooped since that Sunday morning.

Monday morning I took her to the vet where they diagnosed a virus after checking her vitals, taking xrays, giving her a shot of anti-vomit meds, and giving her subcu fluids. I took her home at noon and she sat on the couch like a lump of clay all day. She did have a BM around noon-ish which was solid a first and soft at the very end. Lola didn't vomit anymore but refused food/water.

That night (Monday still) she was restless and I found her out of bed wandering aimlessly in the living room. I kept taking her back to bed, confined her in my bedroom, but all night she would move from corner to corner to curl up and face the wall. She eventually settled in a drafty corner near the door to my bedroom balcony. I let her stay there, but by 6am there was foamy bile around where she had been sleeping.

Tuesday morning I took her immediately to the vet and they ran blood tests to look for toxicity. All bloodwork was normal including a test for pancreatitis. Her temp has also been normal all along. They gave Lola more subcu fluids, kept her under observation, and at 6pm I took her home again.

Last night (Tuesday) she showed a couple signs of life. She was active and happy for about 10 seconds when a friend came over to check on us. She went right back to the couch after her little energy spurt and stayed there all night. She drank a LITTLE bit of water but refused food. I've tried her favorites - chicken and rice, scrambled eggs, etc.

This morning she was lethargic still, but took a lick of water. I tried some Rx canned food for gastro problems, but she refused it. Lola's back at the vet now under observation. One of the 4 docs we've seen mentioned Atypical Addisons, but they haven't explained how we would test for this. She's had no loose or bloody stool, and she's stopped vomiting, but I'm worred about the 72 with no caloric intake. She's just so weak.

Lola is the love of my life and an absolute spitfire. This behavior is so unlike her, and I just don't know where to turn. We keep treating her symptoms but can't get to the root of what's making her so ill.

Does ANYONE have any advice? I've asked all the questions I can think to ask, and the vets just don't seem worried enough. She's only 8lbs, but she's never appeared so fragile. I know when some dogs are terminally ill they can just give up. I can't bear to lose her. Any input would be very very appreciated.:confused::(

Have they done a Bile Acids Test on her to check her liver function?

I'm sorry to hear Lola isn't feeling well. I would want to know exactly what blood tests the vet ran. If it was just a CBC, it would not show any specifics. A Chem 27 nees to be run. The only test specifically for Pancreatitis is a Spec cPL, which is not something vets will typically run unless requested (as it is expensive).

The restlessness you describe Lola was experiencing on Monday night is very common behavior for a belly that doesn't feel good ~ meaning she could not get comfortable.

So, I would ask the vet what specific bloodwork was run, and if they did a recal sample to test for parasites. To test for Addison's, a cortisol level is usually run. You said they did xrays - were they looking for a blockage? Is the belly bloated at all? If so, perhaps an ultrasound of the pancrease and gallbladder might reveal something.

My babies have had lots of gastrointestinal issues. When Sissy isn't feeling well, she will refuse food. I can usually get her to eat a little yogurt when this is the case.

Hope you can find out what is wrong....

hmmmm....very strange...since Yorkie are prone to Liver Shunts, I would have the Vet run a Bile Acid Serum test (very simple and inexpensive).

Also, Vanilla Children's Pedisure (w/fiber) is good for when they refuse to eat like this...

I hope your Lola is feeling better and that the vet can give you some answers to help her.

I am so sorry to hear about your baby- it sounds like you are doing everything right- I know it is terrible when you have to go without answers for this long. :( I hope you will get some answers from the vet soon.

At 4 years of age I seriously doubt that your girl has Liver Shunt.

Did you have a Urinalysis performed....kidney stones and kidney functions. X-rays for a possible blockage.

I suggest that PM Monolo's Mom.....she may be able to provide you with a information on a med to stimulate your girl's appetite.

You may want to go to the breeder forum, there is a Fading puppy recipe that you may want to attempt to give your girl to keep her energy up. As well as giving her NutriCal. Water intake is a must, whatever it takes get it down her. Try everything you can to entice her, although a bland diet of boiled, boneless, skinless chicken and rice would be best.

I have no advice really but to keep trying everything you can with the vet and praying hard for her recovery soon! Hugs from Missouri

Any update on Lola?

I hope your baby is doing better.