Question:
My baby is in the hospital

The same deal again... tummy problems. It seems that every time he finishes a round of antibiotics, his tummy problems come back. This time he's vomiting, regurgitating and coughing up mucus. My husband is away and I was on the phone with him discussing how angry I am that they just can't seem to solve the problem and maybe we need to find another vet and then Tommy starting throwing up again - guess he wanted to see a different vet, too! So, I called the emergency vet clinic and they had me check his gums and told me to bring him straight in.

And they kept him! He's a bit dehydrated and they were worried, so they're keeping him overnight on an iv and doing blood tests and xrays, and then calling in a specialist for a scope if they can't find anything else. At last, it seems as though somebody is actually going to get to the bottom of this . It's costing an absolute fortune, but hey - we've spent that on regular visits trying to solve this issue without any real answers, if we can actually get a real diagnosis then it's worth it. I wonder what people do when they can't afford that, though? We can't really, but it won't kill us to do it, it just means going without a few things... I know lots of people though who wouldn't be able to do it at all, I had no idea how much it cost.

It's my first night without my puppy since the day we got him, though. He looked so scared when I left him, it was heartbreaking. I'm sure he'll be fine, but I won't be - not until my baby is back home where he belongs.

It's gonna be a longggggg night... if you all get a chance, think some good thoughts for my lonely little pup... thanks!

It's a far cry from how we normally sleep...

Answer:
Poor doggy! Poor you too! Aw, it's so horrible! Your doggy (and your wallet ) need a break!

If they don't find anything still, what do you think you'll do next?

Answer:
for you and tommy and you get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later. it can't be pleasant for anyone :( At least he's in good hands now? you trust these new vets? hang in there!

Answer:
Honestly, I have no clue. My main reason for not going to a different vet was that most of them here send their blood tests out for results to one lab, so we'd be getting the same interpretation from the same lab over and over... no difference, just spending more money for nothing. This emergency lab reads and interprets their own, and brings in a specialist for scopes and things to be done on site. It's also the first time a vet has actually LISTENED to everything I've said - how his behaviour changes when the issues are about to act up again, how he's been licking his lips all the time, etc... everybody else has just sort of skipped those things and looked only at test results. So, if these guys can't find something, who can? I suppose the next step would be the vet college, it's just an hour or so away. It's a lot of money though, not that I would hesitate but we've spent thousands of dollars over the last two months on this. I'd really want to have at least something to look for before just throwing money on more invasive tests for the poor little guy - at least narrow it down as to which part of his body isn't working right! So far it's just been blood tests and blood tests and blood tests and putting the poor little guy on meds when nobody has any idea what they're treating him for. Hopefully these docs will at least come up with something conclusive, if not well then I'm just not sure.

Answer:
Fingers and paws crossed that they will id the problem and Tommy will have a quick recovery.

Answer:
Soooo sorry to hear. It is horrible what you and Tommy are going through, especially after spending all that money for it to come back again:(

Hopefully they will get to the bottom of it this time, and solve the problem for good

Answer:
Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed for us!

So far, here's what we know... Tommy has pneumonia, was dehydrated and has struvite crystals.

They're still unsure about the actual tummy problems that they think caused most of this. Or if it IS tummy problems, or esophagus problems, or whatever.

Tommy came home with me tonight after being on IV antibiotics all last night and today. Poor little guy has a cone around his neck because they left the IV catheter in to make it easier on him tomorrow, and he already pulled it out once after we got home... so as much as he hates the cone, it stays on!

We go back tomorrow morning for more IV meds and stuff, and then tomorrow afternoon they're bringing a specialist in for an ultrasound. She'll look at everything and decide what the next steps are - she might want to scope him, or she might look at all the xrays and bloodwork and ultrasound and have an idea of what's wrong. Right now they think it could be anything from Addison's disease (but it's rare in a puppy, apparently), IBD or IBS (also apparently not common in young pups), esophagus issues, megaesophagus, etc. All of these things fit some of his symptoms, but not all. They've given me a copy of his records though, and throughout it all they've noted that the owner wants answers - so that's good, they're listening and they are pretty determined to get to the bottom of this.

At least he's home with me tonight. And I have to say... nothing in life compares to the look on his face when he came out from the back labs and saw his mommy there. I've never seen such a look of complete unconditional love. THAT is worth every penny it takes to make him well

Thanks for listening to me vent every night... nobody else I know understands why this is so important. After all, it's 'just a dog', right?

Answer:
Awww, poor Tommy. I'm glad to hear that you are finally getting some answers for the little sweetheart. Thanks for keeping us updated, we are happy to listen to your "venting" and hope he is feeling much better soon.

ps never "just a dog" always the furry love of our family .

Answer:
I hope you get good news about Tommy. He'll be in our thoughts. And anyone who says "it's just a dog" has never had one to come home to and cuddle up with, or be there when you need cheering up, or someone to give you slurpy kisses , etc.

Answer:
omg, is he ever lucky to have you. What an amazing dog mommy you are!

Good luck for the tests and things. And give him a couple extra kisses on the puppy belly for me.

Answer:
Maybe this article will be of help, please read, you may end up saving thousands and possibly the life of your dog, it seems to be a difficult condition to diagnose



I know someone who spent thousands, and the dog almost died, the dog was even in a university hospital for an extended period on intravneous feeding and later stomach tube to feed till the answer was found to be Megaesophagus

Soda now has a special chair that he sits in for eating to helps the food bypass the bottom of the esophagus and stay in the stomach, he is the dog in the bottom left corner in the link "see pictures of dogs using the bailey chair" plans for the chair in available in the link below and well as a link for a support group for owners of dogs with Megaesophagus.

http://www.geocities.com/bailey_chair/

Answer:
Thank you very much for the link and information! I hope that's not what it is, but it's good to have the information and know that there is hope if it IS megaesophagus. Fingers crossed, we'll know soon.

Answer: