Dee needs your prayers
When we woke up Saturday morning, we found 3 puddles of vomit from Dee. After her walk, she threw up again and again. By 9:00am, she had thrown up around 10 times already and had zero appetite, so we immediately brought her to the vet. The initial diagnosis was indigestion. The vet suggested we give an antacid, withhold food for the next 6 hours and observe. She threw up once after. But she finally ate a small portion of boiled shredded chicken at 5:00pm, and then another at 10:00pm.
On Sunday, we thought she was starting to feel better. We gave her boiled chicken and softened dog food, she only ate half of the very small portion we gave, but threw it all up after a few minutes. I gave her another antacid. She ate maybe half of her dinner again later that afternoon, and threw it all up again. The vet was closed on Sunday, so we couldn’t do anything other than try and give her some water.
By Monday morning she refused to eat anything and was drinking very little, so we rushed her to the vet again. They suspected maybe liver or kidney problems, so took blood to have it tested, gave her concentrated dextrose, and her go home. The blood test results would be back by 4:00pm.
By lunch time she started shaking. It seemed like she had a hard time breathing. She seemed normal when she inhaled, but would shake horribly (like she was convulsing) when exhaling. She was also palpitating. We brought her to the vet again. They said maybe her glucose (?) level was too low so it affected her oxygen level. She also got a fever. They gave her a liter of dextrose, and let me take her home so I could keep a better eye on her. Her blood test also came back by then, and from the results they said that her liver and kidney were clear, but the problem might be her heart. They said she needs an ECG, but we have to schedule it at another vet clinic because they don’t have the equipment.
It’s Tuesday morning now and Dee has improved a little. She had fever all through the night, but finally shook it off this morning. She’s walking around and growling at the other 2 dogs like normal, so hopefully it means she’s a little better. She’s still refusing to eat, but is finally drinking bits and bits of water. Her ECG schedule is for tomorrow afternoon. The vets are trying to reassure me that she seems to be better now that she growls at everyone again, but at the same time are being realistic saying that Dee is 10years old, and we might not like how the ECG comes out.
In case anyone else can interpret blood work, here are her results:
Hemoglobin - 184.80 (140.00-180.00 GM%)
Hematocrit - 5.60 (4.00-5.40%)
White Blood Cell - 8.80 (5.00 - 10.00)
Red Blood Cell - 6.16 (4.50-5.50)
Neutrophils - 0.84 (0.50-0.66)
Lymphocytes - 0.16 (0.20-.40)
I’m a total mess now. Please please pray for Dee. I don’t know what I’m going to do when her ECG comes out not normal.
July 22, 2008 @ 3:02 am
I’m not an animal nurse, but I am a human nurse, and these results aren’t that bad at all, if that helps. There are a few that are elevated, but not significantly, not something I’d worry too much about. I will say this, Hensley my blk/cream boy was acting similar a little over a week ago. He was very lethargic, wouldn’t eat, vomited a few times, had some diarrhea. I did call the vet, they said just watch him, and if I was at all concerned I should bring him in. I waited to see how he would do overnight, his symptoms began on a Tuesday, lasted Wednesday (when I called the vet), and I waited one more night to see how he would be in the morning. It just so happend he pooped in his kennel overnight, something he’s never done, and being a nurse I went through his poop, and I found a large piece of undigested steak. My husband had given him a piece of steak on Monday night, something I tell him he shouldn’t do because they don’t chew the pieces, they just swallow them, and my hubby is very generous with his portions. So this chunk of steak was causing a partial obstruction, but I was lucky in that he was able to get it out before it became totally obstructed. After he got that out he was back to his ole self in no time. Maybe your dachsie got a hold of something like this, is this possible? Now I never give table food, but my husband does, and when he saw the size of this piece of steak, it has now changed his mind on what he gives them, and the size. I just thought I’d tell you Hensley’s story because he was acting pretty similar to yours. Hope it all turns out good, be sure and let us know. Bobbi
July 22, 2008 @ 9:56 am
I’m very sorry to hear about Dee and certainly am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Is your vet sure that she doesn’t have some sort of obstruction?
July 22, 2008 @ 10:07 am
We’ll be thinking about you & Dee! Please let us know how everything is going when you can! Hoping & Praying for the best!
July 22, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Hoping for recovery! Big hugs - Ruth and Daisy
July 22, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
Awww Dee, big hugs to you.
Praying hard
spanky and the girls
July 22, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
I am sorry little Dee is sick! We will keep her in our puppy thoughts and prayers for a rapid recovery. Please keep us updated.
July 22, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
I agree on the blood work - maybe a little dehydrated which they treated. Hopefully it is just a little virus or bacterial problem. Hope all turns out well. Since she has not gotten significantly worse I would hope that it is something that will take care of itself. Let us know.
July 22, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
In prayer for Dee. We love you sweetie, feel better soon.
July 23, 2008 @ 9:21 am
I just saw this and I’m very sorry to hear that
Dee has been sick…I hope she’s feeling better..
My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Love Nance..