Concerns about my Sweet Girl

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Oh no....I just caught up with all that is going on! Praying that your little girl will be feeling better soon and that the vet finds out what is wrong.   I love my Pepper so much and my biggest fear is that she will get sick and leave us! Please keep us updated.

[gd4]

Thank you, all. I most appreciate your kind prayers and thoughts. I know so many of you love your babies as I do.

She is still being monitored at the emergency pet hospital over the holiday. We are hopeful to bring her home tomorrow. Last update stated that they had continued to ice her incision and it looks good. She is not drinking water or eating yet but they said this is normal since it is not even 24 hours out of surgery, yet.  Overall, they stated that her temperature dropped last night and they placed her in a warming blanket. The Vet said that many pups who are on pain meds go through this and it is normal. Her temp returned. Overall, they said she is doing well. I pray that she will eat and drink normally so we can take her home. This has not only proven an emotional rollercoaster but also a huge financial hit at the holidays.

As far as the diagnostic tests, I am also puzzled. We intend to have further conversations with Vet on Monday. The ultrasound showed lots of intestinal fluid and issues. The x-rays showed three shaded dark areas that could have been gastric distress but it was not clear enough to tell. We balanced between pushing fluids in IV and waiting it out with a chance of a foreign object being in her intestines which could perforate and create peritonitis and kill vital tissue before they could open her / or, not waiting and doing the surgery while still in the condition to save tissue and do work. Needless to say, this was all on an afternoon when the clinic was closing! This required some tough decisions to be made within a brief time; never, something that I like to do. I pray that she heals and am so sorry that she had to go through this but when I consider the alternative, I did the very best at what I thought could turn into a dire situation quickly. I hope I made the right decision. She was very ill when I brought her in.

I'm still worried about the spot on her liver (which she stated could be related to age) and another spot. She has lost weight. I worry what could have brought all this one but at this point, I am just moving at one day at a time and staying in the present.

Blessings to you, all. Happy Holidays

Gina

[bradl]

1 hour ago, gd4 said:

I hope I made the right decision.

I certainly think you did, as hard as it was mentally, emotionally, and financially. When made with loving intention the decision is always the right one, even when the results are not what we hope for.

[gd4]

Thank you, Brad. I really appreciate it. I guess we both need to hear that right now. I am praying we can bring her home tomorrow. I want to be with her.  It was nice that I got to be with her as we transported her last night from the Vet where she had surgery, to emergency hospital to be monitored.

Gina

[pkcrossley]

just catching up on this. what a lot you have been through. i went through something very similar with one of my cats, in her case she had ingested foreign objects, gradually stopped eating and started throwing up,   i-v did not clear her out, x-rays were ambiguous, surgery (yes, big bucks) revealed that no object was longer present, but had been there --something she had eaten (and subsequently expelled) had irritated and/or lacerated her small intestine, causing it to swell shut partly as a result of scar tissue. they removed the damaged material and sent it for biopsy, which showed severe trauma but nothing that was a lasting threat. to avoid future problems we treat her as if she has IBD (which she might, but it is not certain) to avoid future irritation and the behaviors (like ingesting wrong things) that can result. the main thing is trinity is through the surgery and the doctors got a good look at what was going on (they were able to rule some things out, at least, which counts as success). they should come up with some answers. i'm glad trinity is recovering well from the surgery, hope she is good enough today that you will have a comfortable christmas together and look forward to the new year. 

[hheldorfer]

Thanks for the updates.  I have been checking in regularly, looking for news of Trinity.  My goodness, you had to make a lot of very tough decisions in a very short time.  Based on the information provided I would have done the same thing, despite the expense and uncertainty.  You are doing what needs to be done for your little girl, which is all any of us can do.  

Keeping fingers and paws crossed that she continues to improve and can be with you tomorrow.

[gd4]

I went to visit Trinity at the hospital tonight. They hoped that I could coax her to eat and it didn't work. They plan to give her some anti-nausea meds in hope that this may make her feel better. We plan to bring her home tomorrow with follow-up at Vet on Monday. I am trying hard to stay positive. It has hard to see my little girl today so sad. They had a fentanyl patch on her so I'm not sure if this was making her so sleepy and out of it.

I am so concerned and want my active little girl back.

Gina

Edited December 25, 2016 by gd4

[pkcrossley]

this is always so distressing, seeing little one after surgery. sounds like she is in good hands. it does take time. it means so much to her to see you, even if she feels rotten. i hope she gets on the mend tomorrow and that you get some answers so you can start managing things. all best for wishes for tomorrow. 

[gd4]

We brought Trinity home this morning. The hospital mentioned keeping her until later but I didn't feel that she would be any better there than at home. Honestly, very disappointed at the care there and the costs that they kept adding. Sadly, she still has clear regurgitation and will not eat. She also now has diarrhea. I am not sure if this is from the meds. They took the fetinyl patch off her when we left. Currently, they have her on five meds (Sucralfate, Tramadol, Metronidazole, Maropitant Citrate, Metroclopramide) and told us to purchase Pepcid AC. When we left, you would think that one of the docs (who met with us before) would have explained the meds but instead they had a Vet tech give to us and just told us how to administer. I am very unhappy with the results of this visit and the monies involved. She is resting now and we hope to keep her stable until her Vet tomorrow. However, I am very uncomfortable with her still regurgitating and diarrhea. I'm wondering if I gave her low sodium beef broth or chicken, it might help. She will not eat, we tried to give her egg whites.

I thought of bringing her to another clinic that we took our dog when he had his stroke (he saw a neuro spec.) which is an ER hospital but hate to put her through all this. I just don't know what to do. She can see her Vet tomorrow morning.

Note: My guess and from research that I have done, the Tramadol could be causing diarrhea. I plan to extend the dosage out and have a call in to the ER where she stayed.

Gina

Edited December 25, 2016 by gd4
additional info

[Account Deleted]

The vomiting and diarrhea are concerning...if you have a syringe you can try giving very small sips of water to keep her from getting dehydrated.  Try the surcrylfate first, put in a little water to make a slurry take you syringe and fed it to her.  This will coat her stomach may make her feel some better.  This may effect the absorption of the other meds, but if you wait an hour after it should be okay( what we do with humans).  Tramadol may be causing diarrhea, but so can the antibioltics.  The metaclopramide helps with stomach (gastric) emptying so she does not get too full and this move through the GI Tract and counter the effects of Tramadol and Maropitant Citrate.  As far as the pepcid you may want to wait until you see your vet...the sucrylfate along with the pepcid may be a little too much, and is mostly for reflux....with all she has been trough I would keep it simple, concentrate on hydration.

Praying for you guys, let us know how it she does...

 

Mary

 

[gd4]

Thanks so much, Mary. It looks like we are on the same page with the surcrylfate. They told us about the "slurry" mix which is what we did when administered. I have been giving her sips of water throughout the day which she will take. I do not give her a lot to "gulp." Thank goodness, she rests and the diarrhea is not non-stop so far but it is still there. Poor thing, I have tried everything, including chicken broth to get her to eat. No luck. Therefore, it took both of us three plus tries, to get the Tramadol tablet down her and I'm not sure if all of it got soaked up. Then, she spit up clear liquid again. Since I am unable to hide in food, she is stubborn about tablets. However, she does not appear to be in a lot of pain and is not restless, yet. I hope this means she is not suffering too badly.  I am getting her in to see vet first thing in the am.

She is now resting and has the Maropitant Citrate and Pepcid AC due at 5 then Metronidazole at 8. This is going to be another all-nighter. Sadly, this is the worse Christmas in over 50 years ... my husband and I just heartbroken and drained without rest. I just wish I could see her get better soon.

Gina

[Sam I Am]

Gina having a sick animal is heartbreaking enough, and I am so sorry this Christmas is so difficult for you and your DH. I am so relieved that you are taking her to your own vet tomorrow. What a sad state of affairs the emerg people turned out to be. If she doesn't want to drink, try putting a very small amount of broth in the water (just to flavour it) and see if she takes a little in and keeps it down. I am keeping my fingers crossed that she will be on the road to recovery soon.

[Hillscreek]

Glad you can see your vet first thing. Write a list of questions in case you might forget. Be sure to ask about "why" for everything you are not sure about.

So hard as I know, and others of us on the forum also, to have something like this happen at any time - never mind a holiday. Stay strong for her - she feels what you feel.

Update us when you can.

[tlwtheq]

6 hours ago, gd4 said:

Thanks so much, Mary. It looks like we are on the same page with the surcrylfate. They told us about the "slurry" mix which is what we did when administered. I have been giving her sips of water throughout the day which she will take. I do not give her a lot to "gulp." Thank goodness, she rests and the diarrhea is not non-stop so far but it is still there. Poor thing, I have tried everything, including chicken broth to get her to eat. No luck. Therefore, it took both of us three plus tries, to get the Tramadol tablet down her and I'm not sure if all of it got soaked up. Then, she spit up clear liquid again. Since I am unable to hide in food, she is stubborn about tablets. However, she does not appear to be in a lot of pain and is not restless, yet. I hope this means she is not suffering too badly.  I am getting her in to see vet first thing in the am.

She is now resting and has the Maropitant Citrate and Pepcid AC due at 5 then Metronidazole at 8. This is going to be another all-nighter. Sadly, this is the worse Christmas in over 50 years ... my husband and I just heartbroken and drained without rest. I just wish I could see her get better soon.

Gina

I'm right with you in prayer, Gina.  Have been through this more than once (3 times in fact) over the last year when I lost my 15 year-old, and my two 14 year-olds.  I am well on my way to 62 and can honestly report this has been the worst year of my life (other issues beside losing 3 Cairn children and other non-human children.)  All I can offer you is empathy, love and support...any time.

Tara  Mom of Holdsworth, Shadow, Olie, Teddy, Sweet Pea, and our (relatively new) living child, Miss Nelly.  (Nelly got a trip to the shores of the Chesapeake today; so many smells, so little time.)

 

[gd4]

Thank you all so much. Tara, I'm sorry for you incredible losses this past year. Very difficult. Our boy had a stroke in October and we nursed him back to health. He is doing amazingly well. Then, this suddenly happened to Trinity.

I simply do not understand how a dog could have a normal vital blood panel and RBC that was done on Thursday (same levels as last March) yet become so ill. No foreign body found in the exploratory surgery. Now, she is very ill. I am simply stunned and heartbroken. She has refused to eat anything. It seems, despite what I give her, broth, cheese, bread, peanut butter, all of the things she would normally lap up, she turns in disgust and even, almost gags. This scares me to death. Yet, she is resting comfortably and drinks water like crazy but I will only give little amounts to her because I don't want it to make her sick.

Gina

[tlwtheq]

Sweet Pea's demise was kidney failure.  Not a lot could be done.  It might end up being something, not obvious, such as that.  God bless

[hheldorfer]

I feel terrible for you Gina.  I, too, would be unhappy with the ER vet.  You deserve a thorough explanation of everything that has happened to Trinity.  I hope your regular vet can sort some of this out tomorrow.  Please know we are all by your side through this.  

 

[Sam I Am]

Gina this is an absolute long shot but given that Addisons is a difficult disease to diagnose in animals and humans, why not wing this past your vet tomorrow. There have and are other dogs on this site that do have Addisons. I think it need a specific test to diagnose this disease. .http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_hypoadrenocorticism https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addison's_disease_in_canines

Edited December 26, 2016 by Terrier lover

[tlwtheq]

Those look like good suggestions, Gina.

[gd4]

Thank you, all. I am so happy that you are here with me. This has truly proven a horrible holiday weekend. I don't even feel like we had a Christmas at all. My baby's gifts are still waiting for her to feel better. Our little boy wobbles over by her and gives her longing looks. He made it after a stroke in October that gave him up for gone. I pray we can get her well.

The Addison's disease is certainly worth bringing up. She did have a mini wellness panel on Thursday that showed all levels normal (same as in March). It is puzzling. As the day progresses, we have given her all pills until the antibiotic shortly (which I fear will bring about more stomach upset). The diarrhea has slowed and she continues to take in water as much as I will give (only in small amounts). However, she refuses to eat. I will have her in to see our Vet asap tomorrow.

We are both exhausted and pray that we can get some type of resolve tomorrow for her.

Will keep you all posted. Please keep us in your prayers.

Gina

Edited December 26, 2016 by gd4

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Still hoping that Trinity will pull through....I feel your pain and can't imagine what you are going through.....prayers and hugs to you and your family.

[gd4]

We took our pup to the Vet who did surgery today. We confirmed that the ER who was supposed to send updates to her beginning on Saturday after our initial check-in never did so. Based on our experience with the Vet today and her choice of ER provided, I have decided if all goes well, I will not return to her again.

We decided to transport Trinity to another ER hospital who also houses specialists. One of which took care of our boy when he had our stroke. We would have taken her there on Friday after surgery but our Vet stated that she has ties and would be in communication with the other provider, which ended up not to be. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in the ER provided, lack of communication and treatment --- and, to our Vet.

As we move forward, with another high bill, we pray that this ER will assist our girl. They plan to put her on a feeding tube to get her eating and begin to trickle down food in addition to other supportive measures to escalate her recover. This is up to 48 hours. My birthday is on Wednesday and since we lost Christmas this year, I pray to have a healthy girl home with me by Wednesday.

We are mentally, physically and financially spent

Gina

Edited December 26, 2016 by gd4

[hheldorfer]

My heart goes out to you Gina.  It seems everything that could go wrong did - especially the apparent lack of communication by the first ER.  This would be frustrating under the best of circumstances; with your girl's life in the balance I can only imagine how angry and distraught you are.  Praying that the new ER is successful in giving Trinity the boost she needs.  

[Dempsy's Mom]

So very sorry that your family and little Trinity is going through this.  Breaks my heart, but I am happy that everybody is there for you. ... not surprising   Adding Trinity to my prayers tonight.

[Tuesday]

You and your sweet Trinity are in my thoughts.  I'm very sorry you are dealing with this, especially around the holidays and your birthday.