Help! My baby is very ill, running out of time, thoughts, and options!

[Specs]

Originally Posted by Doziedoe17

Hello all: update, and thank you so much for your advice. I am just blessed for finding such support on here! I live in a very rural area of Vermont. Unfortunately teaching schools are not really much around. That being said, I did put a call into our state university to see if I get anywhere, but of course, am awaiting a call back.

Dozer spent the day at the hospital, with fluids and a decrease in meds. Slowly, he regained his mobility, and some alertness. He is home, but still; not the same. I can tell you, as mom, there is still something wrong. He is on half the dose of the meds, and the only explanation the vet was able to come up with was some sort of toxic shock from all the GI inflammatation.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad I switched vets; I do have faith in this woman- much more than the last place which I believe has been letting my dog slowly die for the last six months, while whiling my bank account clean. Anyways, he has had one bowel movement since home and is currently curled in my lap comfortably. I'm supposed to give him Gatorade for electrolytes (planning on syringing every 3-4 hours throughout the night) and we will keep our fingers crossed for tomorrow. Still a worried mama.

Thank you ALL for your kind words; advice; encouragement; support; and prayers. I believe it is helping.

On a side note, I'm sorry if my formatting is off, I'm typing from a phone as I don't want to disturb my furbaby prince! :0)

So sorry you are going through this and I wish Dozer a speedy recovery. In a pinch here is the name of a holistic vet in Vermont that specializes in hard cases and is supposed to be very good. Vermont Veterinary Clinic & Holistic Animal Treatment | Cold River Veterinary

[lexi43]

Keeping our fingers and crossed for Dozer. I know how it feels to be scared for our babies. When my Oliver had his eye surgery this passed week I was terrified that he would be blind. Me and my gang wish you the very best and we'll be praying for Dozer.

[Buster Brown]

Thinking of Dozer and you and I hope you are having a good weekend. Sending prayers you can find out what is ailing your baby. Another thought if you have houseplants or even since this started a few months ago before winter check outside as well if there are plants poisonous to dogs specifically or cleaning supplies around your property. Sadly we had a member's pet die due to eating the seed of a palm tree commonly used for landscaping and sadly only poisonous for dogs. On that triain of thought you don't feed chicken jerky treats do you? It is sad how many treats and food are being recalled for Salmonella poisoning.
Dog Food Recalls | Dog Food Advisor
Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts
snopes.com: Cocoa Mulch Danger to Dogs
ASPCA | Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Buster sends best wishes and happy tails to Dozer.

[Yorkiemom1]

I also am thinking of Dozer and you....hope you are having a peaceful day.....

[gracielove]

I know VT is a fairly small state compared to some in this country. The problem with a regular vet in these situations is that they just do not have the diagnostic equipment that a specialist has. They have to do things by trial and error if something out of the ordinary presents in a pet. These little dogs just do not have the ability to withstand a very long illness that is not being diagnosed and treated the right way.

You have already experienced what happens with this trial and error treatment. It is not always helpful but it is always expensive. I hope you will consider getting him to a specialist. Veterinary colleges are usually fully equipped to find the cause of problems. You may have to drive a few hours but it will be will worth your while. Some YT members have driven long distances in order to get the care their pets have needed. I hope your little guy is back to his healthy self soon.

[MomtoJasper]

I'm so sorry to hear about Dozer. I, too am praying for both of you. Please post and give updates of what your next step is and how he is coming along.

Steph & Jasper ��

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Doziedoe17

I am a mother to a 2 yr/6 mo, 4lb 2oz male yorkie named Dozer. Though he has only been in my life since October when I rescued him, he IS my ENTIRE life, and I am just beside myself with worry because the last week has been horrifying. Where do I begin.

When I adopted Doz, he was a happy, healthy- though somewhat timid, little guy. My first vet (I say first, because after countless trips to this vet with no diagnosis to what was going on, I was forced to seek an alternate opinion) gave him a completely clean bill of health, and sent us on our way. Doz had a minor reaction to a flea bite (somewhat expected, and had a steroid shot in November), and then an allergic reaction to Vectra Flea and Tick (another steroid shot, and on our way.) Then, once a month, about every three weeks, he began getting diarrhea, since mid-November. We would return to the vet, they would change his food, and put him on four days of Metronidazole, and send him home.

This month was different. Tuesday started another round of explosive diarrhea, and not only was I sick of seeing my baby sick once a month, with no proven answer, but when I called this first vet, they told me they wouldnt see him until the next day. I switched vets, and the new vet brought him right in. Immediately, she believed me that something huge is going on with my baby, though was unsure what it was. She drew blood, and sent me home with two different stomach anti-acids for Dozer, to await the blood results.

Tuesday Evening- Dozer throws up blood, and has raspberry-jam like collitus. Back to the vet we go. She does an xray, gives him fluids, and finds that his blood results are normal, and his xray results show inflammation throughout his intestinal track. Sends us home with three weeks worth of metronidazole 30mg 2x day, plus the 2 antiacids, and a special diet food change (Iams intestinal Dry food only).

Last night- Dozer was restless, then slept from 2 am until about 7, to which I had to wake him and he COILD NOT STAND UP. No motor ability in his hind end, what-so-ever. I am so scared. We rushed back to the vet, she has no clue what is wrong. She said maybe Addisons disease, maybe electrolytes. I am so worried. I am sitting back at home, shaking, crying, upset, needing answers, support, encouraging words, anything! Please, has anybody else gone through this? I must also mention, he is now down to 3 pounds, 3 oz.

If this is colitis, he needs to be on a bland diet for a few days (plain boiled chicken breast w/white rice & carrot or green beans) to settle his tummy & to reduce inflammation in the lower intestine/colon. It can be managed w/a strict low fat, moderate to high fiber diet, best if grain free (so not to put stress on their digestive system). Also, stress to their immune system must be addressed, no household cleaning products, no pesticides (this might be why he doesn't do well w/ flea preventatives), etc...Iams (Intestinal) has ethoxyquin in the food, it's a preservative for fish meal but is considered a toxin. This can aggravate or cause colitis. But him throwing up blood is a huge concern, not a colitis symptom at all.
Some of the symptoms he's having, diarrhea, no mobility could possibly be a side effect of metronidazol...but I'm no vet. Not being able to move his hind legs (sudden lameness) also sounds like lyme disease, it's accompanied by loss of appetite & weight loss, again I'm no vet. Lyme Disease in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

I hope you'll find answers soon & praying Dozer will be ok!

[Sammy Mommy]

How are you and Dozer doing today? Hope things are better.

[jeane]

Keeping you and dozier in my prayers

[Buster Brown]

I am hoping Dozer is doing better today

[Doziedoe17]

Hello All, I had tried to update, and I see now that either it had failed, or maybe been rejected? I really dislike being a "newbie" because it doesnt immediately post! Anyhow. UPDATE:

Dozer seems to be doing much better. He has stabilized, and is acting like his goofy old self. That University of ours, here in Vermont, was QUITE rude to me, and basically told me that they did NOT have time to deal with some sick dog-- that is what the VET CLINIC and PHONEBOOK is for. That is actually the answer I received.

I am irate, to say the least. So, in the meantime, while things are settled, I am doing my research NOW, and making a saftey plan for future emergencies. It is so difficult to be in such an isolated area, and frankly, our area is SO old fashoned, we are years behind in everything from technology, to ideas, to fashion, to culture. Its disturbing.

At least my new vet has been nothing short from wonderful- she is watching Dozer like a hawk- I have never had so many personalized phonecalls from a Doc before. She is thinking that Addisons Disease is a possibility, and together we are going to take a stab at some neuro and adrenial specialists around and set up an appointment for the little boy in the next week or two.

I cannot thank you all enough for your kindness, prayers and support. I have been a wreck for the past week and it was a blessing to find such a wonderful community!

Thank you all!

[Yorkiemom1]

After all you have been thru with your poor baby, then getting the rude brush off by the Uiversity....unbelieveable! I am THRILLED you have this vet that sincerely seems so compassionate and helpful and is working with you and Dozer....the really wonderful thing is, she is learning also from this experience and she is going to benefit immensely from this experience, as will you as she researches and studies and explores possibilities.
Keep us updates with how Dozer progresses....I love that "he has stabilized and is his goofy old self"!!!!!!

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by Doziedoe17

Hello All, I had tried to update, and I see now that either it had failed, or maybe been rejected? I really dislike being a "newbie" because it doesnt immediately post! Anyhow. UPDATE:

Dozer seems to be doing much better. He has stabilized, and is acting like his goofy old self. That University of ours, here in Vermont, was QUITE rude to me, and basically told me that they did NOT have time to deal with some sick dog-- that is what the VET CLINIC and PHONEBOOK is for. That is actually the answer I received.

I am irate, to say the least. So, in the meantime, while things are settled, I am doing my research NOW, and making a saftey plan for future emergencies. It is so difficult to be in such an isolated area, and frankly, our area is SO old fashoned, we are years behind in everything from technology, to ideas, to fashion, to culture. Its disturbing.

At least my new vet has been nothing short from wonderful- she is watching Dozer like a hawk- I have never had so many personalized phonecalls from a Doc before. She is thinking that Addisons Disease is a possibility, and together we are going to take a stab at some neuro and adrenial specialists around and set up an appointment for the little boy in the next week or two.

I cannot thank you all enough for your kindness, prayers and support. I have been a wreck for the past week and it was a blessing to find such a wonderful community!

Thank you all!

What a horrible way to treat someone in your community. That university is terrible. What is the name of it?

I am tickled pink that you found a vet that is as concerned as you are, though. That is worth its weight in gold! I was just talking to someone last night at how it is so hard to find a vet you can connect with. I'm still looking. Sounds like you found yours. Glad to hear that you are going to get him in with some specialists for testing.

Will keep checking for future updates. Happy that he is acting his usual self right now. Praying for a diagnosis soon so he can get the treatment he needs.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Is the university that you called one which houses a College of Veterinary Medicine? Did you call that college intake department for new patient pets? I'd always thought that uni's with vet schools were happy and pleased to take on problem cases for their professors and students and had some of the most cutting edge scholarship in veterinary medicine circulating through those brains and walking their halls! That's shockingly rude!

I read your thread just now and am so glad to hear your Dozer is doing better. I sure do hope that you can get that baby a good diagnosis soon so you can know what you treatment regimen should be. I will surely add your little guy to my prayer list and keep checking back to see how he is doing. Blessings to you.

[Buster Brown]

I am so glad Dozer is feeling better and that you have found a Vet with compassion and drive to find out what is wrong with Dozer. Best wishes to the whole Dozer team!