Concerns about my Sweet Girl

[gd4]

Hello, all. Again, many thanks for being here!

We picked our girl up this evening. She was much more perky and was happy to be home. Soon after, I made her a small amount of chicken and she gobbled it up. She then tried to beg my husband for his. I cannot tell you what a joyful moment that was for me to see. She just had a small amount a little while ago as I am feeding at intervals.

She is resting comfortably. Still battling some diarrhea but it has slowed a great deal. I noticed her regurg is limited, if at all, now.

We visit a new Vet tomm. am and I am hopeful to get some answers and keep her recovery going smooth. Her biopsies are not back but I am hopeful for good news.

Will keep you posted.

Gina

Edited December 29, 2016 by gd4

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Fingers crossed that she keeps improving....I bet she is in bed sleeping with you tonight!  You are such good caretakers for your little girl!!!

[remltr]

Alright - progress and really great news.

[Hillscreek]

That's  really positive news! Good to hear.

[Sam I Am]

Best news ever to wake up too!

[hheldorfer]

Well, happy belated birthday Gina!  Your post was the first thing I checked online this morning and I was *so* happy to hear the good news!  Here's hoping Trinity continues to improve and your family can celebrate the New Year together, happy and healthy!

[beccadiane374]

Hopped on here just to check on Trinity - happy to see a good report!  Prayers for continued improvement!

[gd4]

Hello, all. We took Trinity to the new vet today. She ate a small amount of chicken this morning, and also a little egg whites. This afternoon, I was able to get her to eat some of the prescription digestive Hills stew canned food with white rice (only, a little). She is drinking water and sleeping a lot.

Her biopsy results came back today and it shows her liver is fine (age-related spots) but she has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I plan to do research but was told that this will definitely make her recovery a little harder. I was told that once she is recovered, we could look into a treatment plan that involves steroids. This is very upsetting for me because I know that these meds are tough. We have an appointment for an Internal Specialist who works on the specialists team at the awesome ER hospital where she stayed next Friday. We had good luck with this facility with the neuro specialist who tended to our other pup, Max, in October.

Also, if anyone has any tips on best tending to a round the clock med schedule, let me know! She still has diarrhea, mainly, after she eats; not as frequent.

If anyone else has a dog with this disease, please advise any suggestions.

Blessings,

Gina

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Well -  no gluten or grains helps me with IBD....not sure about dogs.  Also good probiotics, too.

[sanford]

A short term course of Steroids can be extremely effective in quieting the inflammation in order that the dog can recover and feel better. It should make a great difference in her demeanor and set her on the road to recovery. Although the long term effects of ongoing, continuing doses are a cause for concern, this is not the case with your little girl. I personally know any number of dogs with IBD who have been treated this way, and once the brief period of steroid treatment was finished, they were maintained very well with diet and in some cases, alternative therapies, supplements and/or other meds.

You've been through so much... Don't add to your stress with unnecessary worry. The diagnosis came up with something that is treatable and not uncommon. I expect that once you research this, you will have cause for optimism.

Good luck! We are all pulling for you!

[Sam I Am]

Our first Scottie had IBD and lived well past the average age of most Scotties. We home cooked, and again when she had bad boughts  of the disease , the vet put her on Tylosin. I know I sound like a broken record but that drug made her life a good one. 

Edited December 29, 2016 by Terrier lover

[Bridget]

Now that you know, you can plan a course of action. You can do it! 

[pkcrossley]

I kind of suspected IBD. when my cat was diagnosed with IBD (also after very expensive surgery) I thought it was a terrific outcome --the diagnostic alternative was lymphoma. altogether you have had a good outcome here, though I know it doesn't feel like it now. though maintaining an IBD case once they are diagnosed is easy, an animal sick with IBD and untreated is in a terrible and life-threatening situation, so you did everything right. steroids are very intense medicine, but in the short-term, as sanford says, they will quiet the inflammation and also give her appetite a jolt. she will probably come off them pretty quick and then it is a matter of diet --the vet will sell you a special IBD diet if you don't trust yourself to come up with the right stuff by cooking (I just buy the diet). then it is a matter of maintenance, which is not very challenging --eat the diet, keep hydrated, get a moderate, regular activity. my cat is very healthy and very beautiful, and she is not any big challenge. it is possible she is more healthy at her age than she would have been without all her ER and surgery trauma, because I'm attentive to her diet, hydration and exercise. 

[gd4]

Thank you! I am starting to feel better. Even more so, because tonight she actually wanted to eat some of the prescription diet that the doc wanted me to give her this morning. It is specifically for dogs with gastric issues. PK - you are so true. This was a dire situation and to be put through exploratory during a potential flare --scary! However, without this surgery, it may have taken a long time and many expensive tests to know for sure that she has IBD. We should be thankful. Many blessings to your sweet cat

And, to those who shared IBD and steroid info? THANK YOU! Many blessings as you make me feel hopeful.

Gina

Edited December 29, 2016 by gd4

[Hillscreek]

It is such a relief to know what the problem is. Now you will know how to treat it and to be able to take the proper care for Trinity. Have no experience myself. One of the great thing about this forum this that someone somewhere almost always can come up with help whether health or training or whatever.

[Malcolm's Dad]

So glad things are getting better. This has been so hard on you now things can ease up. Agree with Hillscreek. There are wonderful people on this forum who give valuable information that makes life better for our Cairns. Good luck with taking care of Trinity.

[gd4]

Yes, I am so thankful for the folks on this forum. Thank you for being here for me and also, the great wisdom shared.

Note: I noticed that when I give Trinity the Tramadol pill that it really makes her sleepy. I am assuming this must be normal and one of the purposes of such a pain pill? Twice after I gave it to her, I'm not sure if it is because we had her outside or not, I noticed that she has a few shivers and then they go away within a few minutes. I wondered if her temp may drop due to the pain pills or a coincidence.

I am trying to get her pills on a more suitable schedule but I don't think it will happen. I am up now around the clock and feeling very tired at this point. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem I can do much adjusting. Whew!

I will keep you all posted!

Gina

[hheldorfer]

6 hours ago, gd4 said:

Note: I noticed that when I give Trinity the Tramadol pill that it really makes her sleepy. I am assuming this must be normal and one of the purposes of such a pain pill? Twice after I gave it to her, I'm not sure if it is because we had her outside or not, I noticed that she has a few shivers and then they go away within a few minutes. I wondered if her temp may drop due to the pain pills or a coincidence.

 

Ziggy takes Tramadol as needed for pain.  It makes him sleepy too so I think this is just a side effect.  As for the shivers, I've never noticed them but Trinity is probably weak and drained of energy at this point and the shivers could be a byproduct of that.

[sanford]

Re Trinity's sleepiness and shivering...

Like most meds, Tramadol comes with its list of possible side effects, one of which is  sleepiness.

I hesitate to add to your concerns, but dogs are sometimes known to shiver when they are in pain... (A common example is when they attempt to eat food that may have been overly heated in the microwave ). Another side effect of Tramadol can be abdominal pain. Your vet might be familiar with this and be able recommend modifying the dose or administering it together with an over-the-counter stomach remedy. At any rate, it would be good to let the vet know.

[Account Deleted]

Hello Gina,  Tramadol is a narcotic type, so it can cause drowsiness/sleepiness...it can also cause constipation as well...it can also cause stomach upset, especially when Trinity GI tract is already irritated.  If you  still have the Carafate (sucrylfate) or the Pepcid still around you can try giving one of these prior to giving Tramadol...about an hour before this may help....It this continues, perhaps the Vet can prescribe another pain medication.  Shivering may as Sanford said be from pain or she may have a lowered body temp, being a native of Michigan, I know it can be cold in Illinois this time of year   Trinity is using a lot of energy to get better, so she may not be able to keep her temp stable while she is recovering.  So you may want to try putting a heating pad on the lowest setting with a few layers of blankets on top ( to prevent burning or over heating)  most pads turn off after 20 min which maybe just enough time to get her warm and toasty again. 

The Steroids should help calm down the inflammation her pain and shivering should subside as the swelling (edema) of her bowel decreases.  Of course I am only a human nurse..I would call your vet if it continues or you are concerned. 

hugs from the Adams family

 

Edited December 30, 2016 by moggie

[Account Deleted]

Gina, if you have any questions about med schedule, email me at mary@brianandmaryadams.com 

[gd4]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all of your help and insight. Thank you, Mary

I do believe the shivering is due to the cold weather in IL. Poor thing, she must go outside and come in and she has lost a lot of weight. I can be more proactive about putting her coat/sweater on before bringing her out.

The diarrhea has stopped and last night she had a little but it is formed (sorry). I see very little regurge and if it is, after drinking water. She is eating small amounts albeit, not so happy to do so early in am I keep giving her water.

I know she is on the mend and it will take time. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Gina

[hheldorfer]

5 minutes ago, gd4 said:

The diarrhea has stopped and last night she had a little but it is formed (sorry).

There's never a need to apologize for reporting poop consistency.  Everyone here has learned to appreciate the joy that a well-formed poop can bring when a dog is ill.

[Sam I Am]

I agree! It's all about the poop! It tells many many stories so there is no need to apologize.

[gd4]

LOL, it's all about the poop ---- yes!

Gina