I haven't been on YT in the last couple of weeks, and I am just seeing this. I am so sorry you and Jackson are going through this. My heart goes out to you both. I truly admire you and the love you have for Jackson.

I am by nature a worry wart. I inherited this wonderful trait from my mom. So I know exactly what you are going through. I worry everything, especially when it comes to my Taycie. I just want you to know you are doing a wonderful job. I wish Taycie and I could give you and Jackson a big hug!

I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers for a continued recovery:)

I think it's good to stick with the current vet who is treating him to get him through this episode, but I can completely understand wanting to run it by another vet who will answer your questions (not necessarily question the current treatment plan - which I know you aren't). I'd like to be told exact amounts on things too. That's why I go to the vet, because I want the expert to spell it out for me once a diagnosis has been made. Hopefully, he'll continue to improve resting at home and with the extra fluids.

As far as keeping him entertained and calm, does he like massages? I know Rory who is probably about as go-go-go as Jackson, will sit still for very long periods of time when I'm massaging her little ears and neck and shoulders. She'll close her eyes and lick her lips, and it's like she is destressing and getting the weight of the world off her shoulders. We actually do this every night now where she lays on my chest for her massage for probably 30 minutes after her nightly teeth brushing, and I know she looks forward to it. I think it's actually made her a more snuggly dog in general. Usually, it relaxes her enough that she'll nap afterwards (even not at bedtime). It seems like the more you could get Jackson to nap maybe the less bored he would be (I know they nap when they are bored) and maybe his body could rest up to heal better.

I think you are doing a great job and just stressing yourself out trying to do everything perfectly for him. I never feel bad about asking questions, and if someone makes me feel like I'm an annoyance, then when the appropriate time comes I have no problem finding someone who will listen and explain things to me in a way that I can understand.

I know what you mean by this. I often go in to the vet or doctor with a pad of paper and a list of questions, and I take notes on their answers. It seems to unnerve or even annoy them. But I do it anyway. And if they give evasive answers, like "feed him less, blah blah blah" I'll go "uh huh, yes, okay...so how much do I feed him in cups, exactly?" and just insist on a clear answer. Which DOES annoy them, but I just do it anyway. I hate getting a vague answer, because it could mean anything to me. After this crisis is over, I would look for a different vet if I were you.

Oh, and I would not listen to techs. In my experience, if you ask the vet and the tech the same question, you will get a completely different answer from each. And I take the vet's word over the tech's.

Just wondering how you and Jackson are doing today.

Thank you.

Yes, Jackson does seem to enjoy getting a little massage. I did this last night and he calmed down quickly and went to bed. Rory sounds like Jackson so much! It has been really nice having him snuggle more. He used to go under the bed every night for the first 1/2 hour or so and then hop in bed but now he curls up right against my leg from the get-go and sleeps all night like that with me. Very cute! :D


Yes, I agree! I know better than to just listen to solely the techs. I hate getting conflicting answers from everyone!! Grrr.

Oh well. We'll see how the vet is that I see on Tuesday at this same clinic and take it from there.

Jackson is doing very seemingly well. He's eating fine, he's drinking normal (in addition to the fluids he has) and acting totally normal. But I am keeping him rested. It was much too hot yesterday to do anything anyways so there was nothing else we could have done even if he wanted. He relaxed most of the day and I just gave him a few small play sessions inside. I went to the bank this morning and took him for a car ride with me and then we came back home. He's now been sleeping since.

I have another family BBQ to go to today, lol, and he is certainly NOT coming with me this time. :p But I'll be gone for about 6hrs so that will give him a lot of time to just stay home and sleep.

Glad to hear that Jackson is doing better. Poor little guy. It's just the pits to see them when they are not feeling well.

Awww....., Sooooooo GLAD to hear Jackson is doing better!!!! xoxo

Riley and I have a double doggie birthday bbq we are attending tonight 5pm.
It is supposed to be Hot as Heck...so not sure how long we will last. I will definitely make sure I bring his water/gulpy along!! :)

How is Jackson today? Did he get some rest while you were out?

Puppy massage is great and I'm glad Jackson is enjoying it. We were not able to go out walking tonight, so my boys enjoyed some shoulder and neck rubs and nuzzling (since I won't let them wrestle each other for the time being, lol).

It has been almost a week. His food almost certainly can start to be increased now (but only if his vet okays it). You don't need to go with 1/4 cup long term.

I agree with Cathy on the Kong thing. It will come in handy later.

I hope Jackson is getting stronger and better each day. I am sure you both missed each other a lot today. You have such a special bond with each other, and Jackson has thrived with your love and devotion to him. He's going to get better, and hopefully this will be a small blip in your wonderful life together. I believe that times like these make the love and bond even stronger. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Jackson.

He is good. Extremely bored, but well. :)

Thanks -- I, too, think it would be okay to increase his food a bit. He's acting starving and I just don't think 1/4 cup is enough for him.

When he was eating 1/2 cup of kibble per day, he was also getting lots of treats, bully sticks, people food, and canned food. Really, a dog is size, eating solely kibble, would be fine with 3/4 cup of food or more (a healthy Jackson, lol). So I think I will up it tomorrow. Maybe split 1/2 cup into 3-4 meals. We go again at 1:30 for a "re-fill" on the fluids tomorrow.

Thank you so much. You always have the kindest words and say things in such a nice way! I wish I could relay my thoughts as beautifully as you! :D

We do have a really special bond. I can't even really explain it at all... there is something just so special about Jackson and I am so lucky to have been blessed with him in my life, and as my "first" dog, and such a fantastic best friend. I'd do anything to make sure he's healthy and sticks around for a long time! I really couldn't have asked for a better dog...

So happy to hear hear Jackson is feel better. Hopefully the food increase will be good for him too. Poor little guy has been through the wringer.

Good job Brit for being such a good Mommy, I know for a fact I wouldn't have been able to handle everything as well as you have.

Yup. My 15 pounder gets >1/2c/day, but we don't do many treats and no chews.

Sounds right!

He always did really well on 1/2 cup. He was 16.2lbs at the vet on Friday. Never wanted more than that, but like I said, he was also getting lots of treats, etc.

He might need, once he's recovered more, 2/3 cup or so a day. I would always up his food if he got more exercise for the day, etc. Swimming, in particular, he always wanted to eat more.

Would you think it'd be wise to keep up with 3x day feedings for a while?

So glad to hear that Jackson is getting stronger. You two are such and inspirational team! Hugs to you both.

Heading out to the vet soon just to re-fill fluids. These are quick visits thankfully, we don't even go into a room or anything. Tech just takes him back, loads him up, and we're good to go.

I'm really really praying for good results on Tuesday. I'm going to be so nervous but thinking positive. :thumbup:

He had a poop this morning (didn't poop all day yesterday) and it was still a bit soft but formed and pretty "normal" looking. (Woohoo for poop report! I know, I know, don't get too excited). He's eaten 1/4 cup so far today split into two meals. I figure I'll give him another 1/4 cup also split into two more meals for the remainder of the day.

On the other hand, I am dealing with some kind of allergies or on-coming cold. Had a scratchy throat all night long and didn't get much sleep... head is feeding congested. Took a Claritin but it's not helping much :rolleyes:

I am gald to hear Jackson is continuing to get better. Prayers for great results Tues.:)

I am sorry you are now feeling under the weather. Summer colds are the worst! I hope your meds start working and you find some relief.

I'm glad to hear Jackson is continuing to improve. I've always believed they do better with small meals scattered throughout the day. You may be doing that already. I hope you aren't getting sick, Brit.

I'm slow and haven't been around for a bit. I do hope Jackson is past this and on hiis feet again.

Is Jackson getting the kind of fluid that is injected under the skin? (I only know what my neighbor's dog had) Is that what subq is?

I pray that Tuesday's test results show improvement.

I hope you get some rest too so that you don't get sick.

Yup, that's it. I honestly did not know what it was at first!

And I am heading to bed now -- rest is definitely needed!

How is the boy doing this morning?

So he was actually still dehydrated on Thursday? How is the hydration status now? Is he drinking?

Thursday, the vet said his lipase levels were up a bit from the bloodwork he had on Monday (when he left the hospital). His dehydration levels were up slightly but not much. I think it was mainly the lipase levels he was concerned about? But that's why I asked the vet if the hydration level would have went up because I had taken him on a walk before the vet visit and he didn't drink much afterwards...? He said no. But that was probably stupid of me to take him before bloodwork. He hasn't been on any walks since or any "exercise" except around the house.

But either way, he said had the numbers stayed the same he wouldn't have been concerned, it was the fact that they went up a bit and not down or maintained. So for preventative measures, that's why he suggested the sub-q fluids.

He is seemingly very well. I mean, he's acting completely normal. He seems to be drinking plenty enough. He's eating/drinking fine. Poop is almost normal, soft but formed.

And can I just say, in the nicest way possible, that he is annoying the hell out of me, lol. Gosh it's like having a puppy again or something. He's bored and when he's bored... he wants to eat or chew EVERYTHING! I feel like every 10 minutes, I'm saying "drop it" because he keeps finding my little sister's marker caps, barbie dolls, and anything else he can find. We go outside on the flexi leash and he is trying to catch every bug that flies by him or crawls near him. OMG lord help me!

Keeping an active dog resting and quiet is a challenge. I'm glad I only had to do it for a relatively brief time because I cannot imagine what Patti, Steve, Bitsy, Crystal, and many others have gone through when their furbutts had things that required strict rest for weeks on end.

Hang in there. :)

Thank you! I seriously could not imagine longer than a week or two! I totally bow down to those who have kept them still for so long.

Were the lipase levels taken in house or sent out? I've had lipase levels read high on in house blood due to hemolysis especially when blood draw is taken from a leg rather than the neck.

How are his kidney values?

In house. And through his leg.

Kidney values and liver values were totally normal.

I wonder about this then with lipase levels. By way of example, last year when B has his AP, they could not get a read on lipase in house - fat was off the charts. Of course hearing this I was very upset that he was a vat of fat! But, next day when vet screen came back, it was high but not off the charts.

Good on kidneys and liver, not uncommon though for liver to be thrown off since the liver and the pancreas live next door to each other.