Zoe Sick-Not drinking, weight loss, ??? Hi all, I haven't been on the forum for a while...guilty of life with Zoe going well and just not making it onto the forum for so long I kind of forgot about it. :( I give this forum credit for keeping Zoe alive as a new little puppy. She's now 6 and has suffered with frequent illnesses on and off since then. But now, she's not doing well at all. I AM going to the vet a lot, and seeing an internal medicine specialist both this week and next. But since I know of the knowledge within YorkieTalk, thought I'd check here too. Her symptoms: --Weight loss (From 4.6 to 3.5 lbs. over the last 2-3 months). She is very, very thin. --Off her food and water - now eats only minced boiled chicken or turkey, and mashed sweet potatoes or rice (this is per vet; have tried i/d and l/d both canned and kibble but that seems to throw her off) --Regularly dehydrated and needs subQ fluids. Lately up to 3x over the last week (she will not touch a drop of water, and we have tried different bowls, tap, filtered and bottled, added all kinds of broth, syringe into her mouth, and add a little extra to her food mixture but adding too much makes her not eat it). --Nausea --Constipation --Frequently low energy and clingy Her meds: --Vet is guessing that she might have an acquired liver shunt. (Interestingly they thought she had a congenital shunt as a new puppy, but abandoned that guess when she later thrived) --Taking Lactulose, Metronidazole, Cerenia all long-term. Recently added Sucralfate. Without the Metronidazole or Cerenia she spirals down rapidly and won't eat anything at all no matter how enticing I think it may be. Some days she plays with her Havanese brother, wants to fetch and seems "normal." Others she is overly clingy and seems very uncomfortable and weak. Has anyone had any similar experience(s)? Any ideas? Any experience with acquired shunts and subsequent surgery or medical treatment in such a tiny one? Thank you so very much! |
Have you talked to them about Addison's Disease...? |
Sounds like what my Max is going through now. :cry: His came on fast. We've had him tested for Addison's - came out negative. They took all kinds of blood and urine. They did an ultrasound to make sure he didn't have some kind of blockage. No blockage but he had a cyst type on the outside of his kidney so they sucked out the contents... it wasn't blood (thank God) and it isn't cancer so that's good --- but they think it's "KIDNEY FAILURE". He's having dialysis today and the next 2 days. I'm praying for some kind of miracle. He's only 10 yrs old. Did your Vet check her kidneys? To be honest we were hoping that is was Addison's - at least it's treatable. Please keep us up to date on how she's doing. Praying for you both. :hands::hands::hands: |
Thank you SO much, Connie and Ann! We were at the specialist today and he's doing the bile acids test but didn't feel strongly that it was a shunt, unless it's MVD. Which wouldn't be operable. When he calls back with results tomorrow I will ask about Addison's. They did suspect kidney at first, but an ultrasound did not support that. Poor little girl! She had to be force fed today for the test and is so uncomfortable now. :( |
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Hi all, Zoe's bile acid tests came back completely normal. That combined with her blood tests, x-ray, and ultrasound and he feels totally confident no shunt(s). The vet said he suspects IBD (or, less likely, an intestinal lymphoma). So she will be going in for a scope and biopsies next week. :( She did drink a little water yesterday for the first time in 12 days. She hadn't had her Cerenia or morning meds, so I'm wondering if that is affecting her drinking. I'm feeling hopeful, but worried we're on a merry-go-round of lack of conclusions. Hopefully not, and we'll know something next week. |
Did you bring up Addison's or EPI...? Both of which cause wasting, and appetite decrease...? |
I have no experience in what's going on with both of you, but have a Yorkie. I can only imagine the worry you have over your dogs! Sending positive thoughts Zoe and Max's way. Hoping you find the answers to get them back to good/normal health! |
Sought a second opinion today on Zoe, and after a new ultrasound, and discussing all of the options and signs, we feel confident it's IBD. Zoe is on new meds and will start a new food soon, so I am soooo hopeful! Thank you all for your ideas and thoughts. I will keep you posted on her progress! |
Just sending you goods wishes and telling you what a great Yorkie mom you are:D |
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Finger's crossed we've discovered the culprit and that the treatment is positive for our sweet Z. Thanks again!! |
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Sadly I am familiar with every. single. med. Chewie has allergies, but we still suspect Addison Disease- as does the vet. Very definitely ask. It sure sounds disturbingly familiar. Chewie for the first time has a little "pot" belly that we are calling the "freshman 15"..oz. Being treated for this helped her symptoms so much, which is just a low dose of steroids. Please keep us updated!!! |
So glad you're at least able to rule some things out :). That helps! Best of luck, and do keep us updated on your precious babe! |
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Sending positive thoughts that you finally have the right answer to Zoe not feeling well and that she likes the new food when you start it. I look forward to a successful next post on how things are going. |
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