Need help for Jenna please

[Jenna AK]

We don't seem to come to YT for anything but illness on Jenna's part.

For the last few days she's been having on and off vomiting, mostly non productive. She's seeming to go off her food a bit over the last week or so, maybe longer but not consistently. Since all she eats is DVP Natural Balance Vegetarian kibble (vet's orders after her vasculitis scare in March) I just thought she was getting picky about her food.
But this morning, after her vet told me to start her back on sucralfate three times a day, she brought up all the food she'd eaten not five minutes before, and the sucralfate too. (I waited an hour after meds before feeding her.) Since this hasn't been going on more than a day or so, she is still peeing and pooping well, seems to have energy when she is not feeling ill. But usually after a nap or first thing in the morning/last thing at night, she will do this retching now. She was also scratching/flapping her ears and she digs at her chin a lot, but the vet saw her a week ago and said there's nothing wrong with her teeth (just had a dental in May or June). Her breath has been worse than usual over the last few months. Her tummy gurgles alot and loudly this last few days. She will often hold her head down or look scared/depressed. I am at a loss to say what exactly is going on, beyond the vomiting and inappetance but these stances tell me there is definitely something wrong. My greatest worry is that the formula for DVPNB has changed since Del Monte bought it and now it is making her sick, but it is the only thing she can eat, and when she does eat it she seems to want it. But she is really turning her nose up at it now and I don't know if it's the food or if she's just too queasy to eat it. She is obviously terrified that she will throw it back up, so much so that she won't swallow it at all.

Sorry if this seems scattered...it is late here and I can't get her to eat before bed like we usually do. I am very worried because I know this could turn very serious very quickly and I feel like we have no help for her.

Please, if someone has any idea what this could be, please, please help! Thank you!

[Scoobstersmom]

Jenna, there is a home remedy that I use for my yorkie when he has an upset tummy and the gurgles. It will not get to the route of the problem - which is why she's nauseated and not wanting to eat - but it may give her some relief while you're figuring it out.

I use a holistic remedy - available at any health food store or online for cheap - called slippery elm bark. It stops the tummy gurgles in minutes, and he's usually ready to eat right after. I take one capsule and open it up and dump about half into a big spoon or small sauce dish. I add about a tablespoon of water, mix it up and then let it sit for 10-20 minutes until it becomes a thick slurry about the consistency of applesauce. If you need to, you can add a little more water and wait another 10 minutes. I usually add a drop or two of honey right before I give it to him, just for the flavor. My little guy will lap it right out of the spoon but you can also syringe it in if you need to. Within a very short time, his tummy feels better and he's ready to eat. My little guy has mild kidney disease and liver disease, so often he feels yucky in the morning. I usually give it to him right before bed too and it makes an amazing difference.

Slippery elm has been around for a very long time and is good for lots of things. If you do a google search you can read about it. The only contra-indication is to give it at least an hour or so away from any other meds, as it can interfere with the absorbtion of meds as it coats the tummy to make it feel better.

Diana and Scooby

[Scoobstersmom]

Slippery Elm | VCA Animal Hospitals

[JuliannaB]

Awwww Sorry to hear about your baby! Although I don't have any remedies, just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and wish you and Jenna all the best in finding out how to get her well. Glad to hear that Jenna is still peeing and pooping as this is a good sign. With you working hard on finding the route of the problem, and giving unconditional love,your baby is in the best hands possible!!

[ladyjane]

Maybe ask the vet about Reglan for her? I have had pups on it with success.

http://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/...e#.UjC3l9KbMm8

[Jenna AK]

Thank you for all the replies, they are very much appreciated.
We do have to be careful what we give Jenna medicine or herb-wise because she is showing allergies to many different medicinal agents. But I will ask about the Reglan. I use this for my house rabbits when they are having ileus episodes.

Ladyjane, thank you for answering when I know things are up in the air about Olivia. I hope she is doing better, I have not checked the thread today.
Can you tell me, is the Reglan just for the nausea or do you suspect Jenna may have a stomach emptying problem? So far Jenna has only attempted to throw up in the mornings or evenings, but she is reluctant to eat at her usual times during the day as well.

She has pottied well (just a little softish stool) and had a wee bit to eat today, but you can see she is hesitant and when she chews she acts like she's got something stuck in the back of her mouth. At her dental earlier this summer, the tech told me she had the possibility of pockets forming around her molars, and the tartar is already growing on the teeth since she doesn't tolerate me brushing them. I can't even use doggy toothpaste because she is allergic to the sugars they put in it.

She is asleep next to me right now. We had a restless night because she wouldn't come to the head of the bed like she usually does and that can indicate she's not feeling well. She was flipping and flopping quite a bit and that woke me every hour or so from 5 AM on. Kind of hard to rest when you're worried whenever your dog moves.

Hope to hear from her vet soon.

ETA: Should I be asking for any kind of tests for her? It does stress her to go to the vet for anything and I wonder if there's any benefit to having blood taken or xrays done?

[Sunnydayz]

I would be really careful about the reglan, but I only know this from human usage, as I have a grand daughter that was born at 25 weeks and weighed 1 lb 15 Ozs. She was in the NICU for 99 days and came home taking reglan for reflux. We noticed she started getting strange jerky movements, that then turned into seizures. I would look up the side effects before considering it, as it is helpful, but if not properly dosed it can be very dangerous.

Not trying to scare you and I hope it can be helpful, I just wanted to put the side effects out there as I have seen them, and they can be permanent, so just take caution with it.

I sure hope your baby feels better soon. Maybe the vet can try a low dose, or maybe even something milder?

(((HUGS AND GOOD THOUGHTS)))

[Jenna AK]

Thank you, Sunnydayz, I will keep this in mind. We really don't fool around with meds for Jenna because of her allergies that seem to come out of the blue. So far she is still doing well, barring a little of her light squeeing that she tends to do when she is distressed or wanting attention, rolling up for bellyrubs and swallowing like her mouth is dry.
I hate it when I get that feeling that something is off, but can't put my finger on an exact cause, so I have to keep throwing ideas out there. It gives people the impression that I am just a worry wart, but since we live so far out from town I kind of have to be more alert about whatever may be ailing my girl, because it will take me about half an hour to get her in if I need to.

[kimp5]

So sorry to hear about Jenna, I had been wondering how she is doing.
It sounds like she is developing an allergy to her current food. Maybe she has some sort of immune response that makes her keep developing allergies to foods after a significant amount of time on them. Have you ever consulted with a dog nutritionist or a specialist vet that deals directly with allergies only? It just sounds auto immune to me, considering her past and now present. Ill google it and see what I come up with.

[Jenna AK]

Thanks kimp5 Yes, that's what worries me also. Her itching and general restlessness are a concern as well as the upset stomach. I usually wash her feet and bottom after walks but she's been licking her bum more, which she doesn't usually do because I help her keep it clean. I thought she might be a wee bit constipated the last few days too, but she's eating more dry kibble than moistened, so I put it down to that.

Her allergies to medications seems to have always been a factor. To date I think she's only had one rabies shot and she became very ill after her first dental with us after receiving the Porphyromonas vaccine (which has been discontinued now, imagine that!) The vasculitis she had earlier (treated originally with steroids which were a big mistake) this year we have put down to bad dog treats. (My OH gave her Milo's Kitchen jerky and it seemed to be what set her off.) Also she used to get home cooking but mostly red meat and that was the first thing checked off the list of what she could have. By the time we switched her to the vegan diet she couldn't even eat chicken or fish and rice without breaking into a rash.
Supposedly my vet has a homemade vegetarian recipe, but he hasn't been willing to try it on her yet, and probably won't until she breaks out. We have specialists up here but they are 600 miles away in Anchorage. He used to consult these folks but claims they are too busy these days to get advice from. (shrug) Even with all that, he does know Jenna best of all the vets at our practice, so I have to go with him.

There is little to choose from here when it comes to vets or human doctors. We're not at the end of the world, but we can see it from here, no one decent wants to practice here.

She is still sleeping, but is twitchy...maybe moreso than usual. When she is stressed she tends to cry a lot in her sleep. However there's been a few times I've woken her just to be certain she's not having some kind of fit. 0_0
This has been a really bad year for us.

[Jenna AK]

Just heard back from the vet. He says as long as she's doing well for now, he doesn't want to stress her by seeing her in the office. (She's been sleeping and snuggling with me all day, no further nausea so far.) He won't do any tests unless something alarming occurs, like her rash returns. He says if she vomits again or refuses food, bring her in, but otherwise to just keep up the sucralfate (which we haven't used since yesterday actually) and try to keep her calm and eating.
I guess I should be glad she's not raging sick at the moment, but still...disappointing response. I just want what's best for her, if doctor says she doesn't need to be seen, well, fine...(not really)...but it keeps me on pins and needles watching her like a hawk. 0_0
Thanks again for all your replies. My sentry duty continues!

[ladyjane]

Hopefully it is just a passing thing and she will be just fine!

[Jenna AK]

Sadly she began retching again about an hour ago. I can't see what she's bringing up, if anything, she swallows it back down before it comes out of her mouth.

He had me administer 1/2 a Pepcid tablet (thank God we still had some here) and says no food tonight. If she's still vomiting in the morning he'll see her.

I'm going out of my mind. I know I need to stay calm to help her feel calm but it's flipping impossible.
Could we please have any vibes and prayers going spare for her? I am so very worried. Thank you.

[AllDogBoots]

Sending prayers for Jenna. I'm sorry you are having to go through this. I know how hard it is

[kimp5]

oh no. I was reading and there are some vets out there that think some dogs will develop allergies to eating the same thing day in and out and suggest changing the diet every few months (the protein) I know she is so limited, but is there anyway to contact a vet allergist even if its via Skype? When Jess broke her leg I sent her xrays to a well known vet online (cost me 35.00) who reviewed them and called me. She was 100 percent right and saved Jess leg. I went to the right place because of her and did the right thing (my reg vet wanted to amputate) She kept up with Jess right through to the end. I can look for you if you want.