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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

loofa update again...

93 replies

JaxTellersOldLady · 25/11/2010 22:28

Just need to ofload really and try to get things straight in my head. I havent really said an awful lot recently about him because I am in total turmoil.

his mouth is a lot better, his paw was a lot better, tonight limping again, had a look, which he really didnt want me to do, cant see anything really, but it is red inbetween the toe where he had the yukky bit. This week he has been up to the loo during the night every night.Sad

Today he has had a seriously dodgy tum and he could poo through the eye of a needle. Going to the vets tomorrow, but him immune system is low and he is getting one thing after another. EAch week it is something, and each week we are reviewing at the vets. Just when I think we are turning a corner the next day it all starts again.

He isnt the happy puppy we got, he looks like a hat stand, cant get any weight on him, no matter how much I feed him, bulked out but still bland food.

Have had a long chat with my friend who is also breeder and she understands how I feel. Have spoken to DH too and I think we really need to make a decision for my poor puppy. He is a fantastic dog, but I just feel that we cant go on like this. Mostly for his sake. He grunts and groans and sighs and it breaks my heart to see him like this.

Before when his mouth and insides were a total mess, his saving grace was that he was still happy in himself and eating, now he isnt happy and although eating and is ravenous it is due to the steroids not him.

sorry this is so long, you dont even need to reply, I just needed to write it down.

Vets tomorrow with a urine sample.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 26/11/2010 02:14

No words Jax, I'm neither vet nor expert, as you know.

Just hugs to you all and a promise that this Shep lover is thinking of Loofa and of you too.

Val x

kid · 26/11/2010 07:18

I'm really sad to read your post.
I know you aren't expecting replies and in all honesty, I don't know what to say other than I'm thinking of you all and praying for a positive outcome.

JaxTellersOldLady · 26/11/2010 11:57

thanks you two. Had a loooong chat with DH again Loo isnt even interested when the puppy gets a treat, we have an appointment with his vet at 2.30 so will know then. We have had 'the conversation' and I have spent all morning cleaning the floors downstairs, we were up at least 4 times last night and clearing up watery yuk at 3am is not the nicest thing in the world, but if it was just that I could cope...

Will of course let you know what we decide to do this afternoon. Nothing will happen today, but it is something we are going to talk to the vet about amongst everything else.

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controlfreakery · 26/11/2010 15:31

how did it go at vet's?

kid · 26/11/2010 16:44

Still thinking of you.
You are being realistic and putting loofa first. If he is unhappy and suffering, it's not fair to let him continue for your own benefit. But having to make the decision is a very difficult one. I don't envy you one bit. It's different with an old dog, we all know dogs get old and weak. You of course need to find out what the future will hold for loofa to be able to make an informed decision. Best of luck with this awful situation Sad

JaxTellersOldLady · 26/11/2010 19:30

today at the vets went as well as we could have hoped I suppose.

He now weighs 28.01KG which is almost 2Kg less than last week. We had a long long chat with his vet and she tested his urine = normal, took some blood to test, gave him a massive antibiotic injection to help his foot, some anti sickness jab and a tummy settler to help his tummy. His temperature is normal but he stinks to high heaven and he is not a happy boy.

He took a gravy bone from the vet but wasnt his usual perky self, actually he is so far from his usual perky self lately. Sad

I am picking up some antibiotics tomorrow to help with the foot.

The bloods came back this evening, all normal except for his liver function which is not normal, not sure if that would affect his metabolism or not, will speak to DH later and see what I can work out. I wasnt in when DH took the call and havent had a proper chance to speak to him yet, so will update again later.

The vet said he looks like an old dog already, which isnt good and she also said we have to think about the long term future for Loofa, if we can manage and sustain his health.

She said at the moment the only thing we can do is try to stabilise him and see how he manages in a few days. Once I know what this liver damage is and if it is treatable then we can have another think what to do. She is going to phone tomorrow I think to see if he is any better.

We have also requested all of his notes and slides etc from the specialist he went to see, just for information really.

What else? His steroids have been reduced again, but alas this isnt caused by any side effects of those, this is a whole other underlying thing.

The only other thing that we can do is start again with all the tests, refer to specialist etc etc, but
1 - seriously doubt he would pull through any anaethesia and
2 - why go through it all again? Was pretty inconclusive last time, yes we have treated symptoms but no 'name' put on what is wrong with him.

thanks for your thoughts and hugs, again much appreciated.

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kid · 27/11/2010 01:20

Thanks for the update.
What a shame you are no clearer on what the problem is. Hopefully his foot will improve with the injection he had today, then his body can focus on fighting whatever the problem with his kidney is.

JaxTellersOldLady · 27/11/2010 20:35

Kid, its his liver. Grin

well today he is much brighter, which just doesnt make any sense at all. There is definitely something underlying that hasnt been picked up I reckon.

The vet is calling us in a couple of days and hopefully she will have some further clues.

still got his bandage on (good job I know a bit of first aid, albeit adapted from human to canine!) and his Mikki boot. No exercise today, but if he is still ok tomorrow will take him for a little walk.

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Bella32 · 27/11/2010 22:07

Aw, hon Sad

This is such an awful situation - for you, your family and for Loofa. My heart goes out to you. I really hope you get some good news, but I agree you have to be realistic about his future.

Sending you love and hugs xxx

kid · 27/11/2010 22:33

I knew it was his liver, I'm guessing I was half asleep (well it was 1:20am!)

my pups mum was seriously ill with her liver. The vet suspected liver cancer but tests came back to confirm it wasn't she was on antibiotics and that steroids for 3 months. She lost a lot of weight and was too ill to under go surgery (to explore what the problem was)
after 3 months, her blood test results showed normal liver function. She is absolutely fine now, thank god.

Glad to hear loofa has perked up a bit today. It would be great if he can continue to improve each and every day xxx

JaxTellersOldLady · 27/11/2010 23:16

hi Bella, was wondering where you were lately. Smile

the thing is he is up and down, we were seriously considering PTS yesterday, now today you wouldnt think it. That is one of the problems; we have had a look on tinternet to see what we can find out and may give him some bovine pancreas, ordered via our butcher as it is supposed to help if his pancreas isnt functioning properly, but that would have shown up in the bloods I think, but to be honest we are willing to try anything that might help him.

Will keep you updated.

Again, thanks. It just really helps to know that I can post about it on here.

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Bella32 · 27/11/2010 23:30

Yes, please do keep us all updated, and please offload as much as you need to. It must be so, so hard because it isn't clear cut, he is up and down as you say, and he's so young. What a huge burden for you to carry - will keep everything crossed for you and your boy Wink

JaxTellersOldLady · 28/11/2010 12:09

thanks Bella, he is lying by my feet fast asleep. Scoffed his breakfast, laced with chicken and rice soup so nice to know it wont be wasted! and is quite happy today.

Madame and I went out to do some burning off energy and some heel work etc as we are working towards our foundation KC. She was so so good on recall (on long line) and chased her ball, sat, lay down, did a perfect stay and stand. She is so good. Meanwhile while we were gone, Loofa 'stole' her rawhide chew and ate it, he has been trying to get it all morning.

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Bella32 · 28/11/2010 12:29

Aw, bless him. And well done. Madame Grin

My lab just got a whole pack of butter from somewhere - and Dobey girl ate a whole lemon drizzle cake the other day Shock This is why we love them so much Wink

JaxTellersOldLady · 28/11/2010 20:05

Loofas mum got into the lounge and ate almost a whole plate of homemade chocolate brownies... she didnt even have the decency to be ill! She loves home baking.

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kid · 28/11/2010 20:50

My dog ate a lot of my card making equipment today. He seemed to really like the glitter pens. His poop is going to look interesting tomorrow Grin

JaxTellersOldLady · 29/11/2010 17:18

haha very christmassy! Grin

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daisydotandgertie · 29/11/2010 17:29

This might be no use at all - but I know someone who has a young dog who showed similar symptoms to yours and spent many, many hours and pounds trying to find out what was wrong.

The vet wanted her PTS, but with a change of bet and persistance they discovered the problem was a B12 deficiency which hadn't been spotted at all.

The dog is tip top now - and has regular top up injections to solve the problem. It might, might be worth checking out.

JaxTellersOldLady · 29/11/2010 20:16

thank you for that daisy when he was at the specialist they ran all sorts of tests and he was low in folic acid (B9) but since you posted this I have had a look at studies on B9 and B12 deficiency.

I will contact his Vet tomorrow and see if she screened for B12 deficiency on Friday.

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daisydotandgertie · 29/11/2010 21:15

Bet?

Vet! Sorry.

Bella32 · 29/11/2010 22:05

Let us know what she says please, Jax Wink

JaxTellersOldLady · 29/11/2010 22:32

will do ladies. I have to say, I do think my Vet is amazing.

She has gone out of her way for us and the first thing she did when she got in today was call my house. She has been thinking about loofa all weekend which is nice and wracking her brains for solutions for him.

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kid · 30/11/2010 22:29

she sounds lovely Jax
I hope she can find a solution for Loofa and soon x

JaxTellersOldLady · 01/12/2010 11:14

thanks, popped in to pick up some pred and some noroclav for Loofa and left a message about the B9 & B12 thing. No doubt she will call me when she is finished consulting.

I would like to get her a little gift from (us) Loofa, any ideas?

We have also put her forward for the petplan vet awards as she really has gone above and beyond for us.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 01/12/2010 12:11

Not chocs. Vets get swamped with chocs at Christmas Grin