Help please, sick yorkie - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Ellie May · 04-20-2011, 08:20 AM

This pup needs abdominal and chest xrays and probably some bloodwork today.

Charlies Mamma · 04-20-2011, 09:06 AM

Here is the update from today:

"took Casey to the vet this morning and they did x-rays, he’s full of stool. He’s got a narrowing in the vertebrae on the lower part of his back so they think it may hurt when he tries to go the bathroom. They put him on prednisone and gave him a vitamin. Thank goodness it’s nothing really serious."

I asked her if they did blood work or looked for an obstruction she said the blood work came back fine but they did not check for an obstruction (maybe they were able to see that via the xray (im not a vet nor do i play one on YT) and she thinks that his breathing issue could be because his belly is so full of poo, but she also said that the vet kind of avoided the issue when it was brought up (RED FLAG to me anyway)

I have strongly suggested that if he is not better by Friday to get him to my vet, any other suggestions?????

gidget529 · 04-20-2011, 09:24 AM

You are such a good friend! Like you, I am not a vet nor play a vet. I've worked in human medicine for years, but have NO veterinary experience at all. I agree with you, if he is not better soon, I would go to your vet for a 2nd opinion. Actually, I personally would have taken the dog for a 2nd opinion to your vet immediately. Good luck. Please keep us posted. And God bless you for trying to help this little dog!

AlicetheYorkie · 04-20-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlies Mamma

Here is the update from today:

"took Casey to the vet this morning and they did x-rays, he’s full of stool. He’s got a narrowing in the vertebrae on the lower part of his back so they think it may hurt when he tries to go the bathroom. They put him on prednisone and gave him a vitamin. Thank goodness it’s nothing really serious."

I asked her if they did blood work or looked for an obstruction she said the blood work came back fine but they did not check for an obstruction (maybe they were able to see that via the xray (im not a vet nor do i play one on YT) and she thinks that his breathing issue could be because his belly is so full of poo, but she also said that the vet kind of avoided the issue when it was brought up (RED FLAG to me anyway)

I have strongly suggested that if he is not better by Friday to get him to my vet, any other suggestions?????

The prednisone, was that because they think he has IBS or an inflammation in the bowl or because of the spinal issue? could be any of these reasonings. Is the vitamin to soften the stool? A stool softener is definitely in order.
Yes, an x-ray would be used to determine if there is an obstruction, but acuracy (especially if there's alot of stool in there) can depend on the quality of the xray depending on what the "possible" obstruction is (what it's made of).
It's possible the the breathing problem could be because of the severe constipation or pain in the spine or both, but I'd demand a chest x-ray anyway.
It's good that they did bloodwork and xrays, but this sounds like a very conservative approach for a dog that is obviously having a hard time.
If he doesn't poop A LOT really soon, I'd seek out a different vet asap, (I wouldn't wait till Friday though)
And even if he does improve, I'd still want to know what the cause was (maybe it is pain in the spine causing him to "hold it in"), but then that needs a long term treatment plan to avoid happening again.

Ellie May · 04-20-2011, 09:39 AM

IMO, if a narrowing of the vertebrae is causing pain and constiption, then the dog needs to see a specialist to have a look at the spine. This sounds like symptomatic management which isn't going to fix the problem. Since this is a small dog, if they did abdominal xrays, they may have been able to see the chest (depending on the setting it was taken on). I personally would not be happy until I was assured that a chest xray came out clear.

Charlies Mamma · 04-20-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

The prednisone, was that because they think he has IBS or an inflammation in the bowl or because of the spinal issue? could be any of these reasonings. Is the vitamin to soften the stool? A stool softener is definitely in order.

I beleive the prednisone was given due to the narrowing of the vetibrae maybe they feel it is inflamed (guessing) she did not say why the vitamin was given and I dont know what kind it was.

Yes, an x-ray would be used to determine if there is an obstruction, but acuracy (especially if there's alot of stool in there) can depend on the quality of the xray depending on what the "possible" obstruction is (what it's made of).

i agree with this completely what they can or cant see could be key

It's possible the the breathing problem could be because of the severe constipation or pain in the spine or both, but I'd demand a chest x-ray anyway.
It's good that they did bloodwork and xrays, but this sounds like a very conservative approach for a dog that is obviously having a hard time.
If he doesn't poop A LOT really soon, I'd seek out a different vet asap, (I wouldn't wait till Friday though)

And even if he does improve, I'd still want to know what the cause was (maybe it is pain in the spine causing him to "hold it in"), but then that needs a long term treatment plan to avoid happening again.

I also agree about the conservative part, but again this is a small country town vet I would take him for the 2nd opinion for many reason but even if this plan works for the little guy like you I would want to know why it happened in the first place. Will update again when I have new info.

Charlies Mamma · 04-22-2011, 11:06 AM

I got an update on our friend, The swelling has gone down in his belly and he now going poo so this is good news. My moms friend is looking for a new vet so hopefully that will work out for her but at least for now our the furbaby is on the mend.

AlicetheYorkie · 04-22-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlies Mamma

I got an update on our friend, The swelling has gone down in his belly and he now going poo so this is good news. My moms friend is looking for a new vet so hopefully that will work out for her but at least for now our the furbaby is on the mend.

Good to hear

glad he's going better

Charlies Mamma · 05-04-2011, 05:00 PM

Well, last I had posted that Casey was doing better ob the antibiotics but he did backslide so my moms friend took him to my vet. They said that yes, his vertibrae WAS inflamed and that was what was keeping him from being able to poo. They gave him steroid injections as they said the antibiotics were not going to do what was needed and they gave her a fiber foos for him to eat.

Now here is the interesting part. They told her that this happens when our babies get older (Casey is 10 I think) the vertibrae gets damaged from jumping off of things When it gets inflamed it causes a great pressure when they try to poo causing the pain and then they simply wont go.

So she is going to try and get things to aid him in not jumping so much steps and things I guess but man they love to jump so much, at least Charlie does. She has to take him back again and see if another cortizone shot is needed but other than that and the fiber food for now that is all that can be done.

Hope everyone is doing well

Buster Brown · 05-04-2011, 05:12 PM

I am glad to hear that poor Casey has gone to your Vet and it getting a different treatment. I hope Casey continues to feel better. Loved this Quote (im not a vet nor do i play one on YT) But you are a good friend!!!

gidget529 · 05-04-2011, 05:15 PM

Thanks for letting us know how things are going. Hopefully they can find some steps to help him get up and down from furniture. As my little Cricket aged I bought her steps. It did seem to help her poor arthritic joints feel a little better.

kjc · 05-04-2011, 05:50 PM

Maybe your friend can find a vet that practices VOM or a chiropractor to access the problem with his spine... just a suggestion... Glad he is improving.

Charlies Mamma · 05-05-2011, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidget529

Thanks for letting us know how things are going. Hopefully they can find some steps to help him get up and down from furniture. As my little Cricket aged I bought her steps. It did seem to help her poor arthritic joints feel a little better.

Well I suggested the "steps" to her and she said she had bought them for him in the past but all he did was hike his leg on them (eeewwwww) he never used them as they were intended so Im not sure what she will try, any suggestions on this?

gidget529 · 05-05-2011, 05:21 AM

I think some ppl here have mentioned owning ramps. Have not tried myself but others have tried and worked.

04-20-2011, 08:20 AM	#16
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	This pup needs abdominal and chest xrays and probably some bloodwork today. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

04-20-2011, 09:06 AM	#17
Charlies Mamma Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: With CharlieBrown of course! Posts: 1,404	Update Here is the update from today: "took Casey to the vet this morning and they did x-rays, he’s full of stool. He’s got a narrowing in the vertebrae on the lower part of his back so they think it may hurt when he tries to go the bathroom. They put him on prednisone and gave him a vitamin. Thank goodness it’s nothing really serious." I asked her if they did blood work or looked for an obstruction she said the blood work came back fine but they did not check for an obstruction (maybe they were able to see that via the xray (im not a vet nor do i play one on YT) and she thinks that his breathing issue could be because his belly is so full of poo, but she also said that the vet kind of avoided the issue when it was brought up (RED FLAG to me anyway) I have strongly suggested that if he is not better by Friday to get him to my vet, any other suggestions????? __________________ Mom to Bug and Charlie-R.I.P my sweet Charlie 2021

04-20-2011, 09:39 AM	#20
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	IMO, if a narrowing of the vertebrae is causing pain and constiption, then the dog needs to see a specialist to have a look at the spine. This sounds like symptomatic management which isn't going to fix the problem. Since this is a small dog, if they did abdominal xrays, they may have been able to see the chest (depending on the setting it was taken on). I personally would not be happy until I was assured that a chest xray came out clear. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

04-22-2011, 11:06 AM	#22
Charlies Mamma Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: With CharlieBrown of course! Posts: 1,404	Update I got an update on our friend, The swelling has gone down in his belly and he now going poo so this is good news. My moms friend is looking for a new vet so hopefully that will work out for her but at least for now our the furbaby is on the mend. __________________ Mom to Bug and Charlie-R.I.P my sweet Charlie 2021

05-04-2011, 05:00 PM	#24
Charlies Mamma Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: With CharlieBrown of course! Posts: 1,404	Update Well, last I had posted that Casey was doing better ob the antibiotics but he did backslide so my moms friend took him to my vet. They said that yes, his vertibrae WAS inflamed and that was what was keeping him from being able to poo. They gave him steroid injections as they said the antibiotics were not going to do what was needed and they gave her a fiber foos for him to eat. Now here is the interesting part. They told her that this happens when our babies get older (Casey is 10 I think) the vertibrae gets damaged from jumping off of things When it gets inflamed it causes a great pressure when they try to poo causing the pain and then they simply wont go. So she is going to try and get things to aid him in not jumping so much steps and things I guess but man they love to jump so much, at least Charlie does. She has to take him back again and see if another cortizone shot is needed but other than that and the fiber food for now that is all that can be done. Hope everyone is doing well __________________ Mom to Bug and Charlie-R.I.P my sweet Charlie 2021

04-20-2011, 09:24 AM	#18
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	You are such a good friend! Like you, I am not a vet nor play a vet. I've worked in human medicine for years, but have NO veterinary experience at all. I agree with you, if he is not better soon, I would go to your vet for a 2nd opinion. Actually, I personally would have taken the dog for a 2nd opinion to your vet immediately. Good luck. Please keep us posted. And God bless you for trying to help this little dog!

05-04-2011, 05:12 PM	#25
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	I am glad to hear that poor Casey has gone to your Vet and it getting a different treatment. I hope Casey continues to feel better. Loved this Quote (im not a vet nor do i play one on YT) But you are a good friend!!! __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

05-04-2011, 05:15 PM	#26
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Thanks for letting us know how things are going. Hopefully they can find some steps to help him get up and down from furniture. As my little Cricket aged I bought her steps. It did seem to help her poor arthritic joints feel a little better.

05-04-2011, 05:50 PM	#27
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	Maybe your friend can find a vet that practices VOM or a chiropractor to access the problem with his spine... just a suggestion... Glad he is improving. __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

05-05-2011, 05:21 AM	#29
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	I think some ppl here have mentioned owning ramps. Have not tried myself but others have tried and worked.