The Pointy One is at the vets, am very very worried... handholding please...

[BehindLockNumberNine]

On Friday and Saturday our lovely rescued whippety cross, Sam, had a bit of diarrhea. Still playful and eating, drinking etc.
On Sunday he started to be a bit lethargic and felt sorry for himself. I had decided to starve him for 24 hours from Sat night as diarrhea was not clearing but he was off his food anyway on Sunday. Had rang lady at rescue where we got him from for advice (she is fab like this, always ready to help and was a vet nurse so a bit knowledgeable too). By Sunday night there was a steak of red blood in the diarrhea. Rang emergency vet who said Sam had probably burst a blood vessel due to contstant pooping. Keep up giving him water and keep an eye was the advice.

Early Monday morning Sam was pooing pure blood and looking very very unwell. We rushed him to the vets.
He was admitted, put on a drip and IV antibiotics. Severe Gastroenteritis or Hemorraghic Gastroenteritis was the diagnosis.

On Tuesday morning he was still no better. They decided to put him on a second type of antibiotics as well as the first one.

This morning he is a bit brighter and whilst he still has diarrhea there is no more blood.
However, his liver enzymes have rocketed to over 1000 and he is jaundiced.

We are going to visit him this evening and the vet will tell us more then.

Please please knowledgeable mumsnetters, can you give me an idea of what is happening to my lovely boy. Am very very worried.

We only adopted him from the rescue centre two months ago but we love him to bits.

That is what I am hoping for Elibean. I hope that the liver enzymes rose so quickly due to the infection and that now the infection is slowly receding so will the liver enzyme level.

Can a bad infection cause permanent liver damage?

fingers and paws crossed for Sam.

(sorry, cant answer the liver damage question)

Behind, a bad infection can cause some scarring - but trust me, the liver is an amazing organ that can repair itself surprisingly well. Its also huge - not all needed.

Good luck this morning, thinking of you!

Just has a phonecall from the vet. She sounded very sombre but did tell us that Sam's liver levels had dropped, but not fast enough and not significantly enough for him to be allowed home. She quoted his bilirubin level which is 49 but should be 8. (but on Wednesday it was 77 so it is going down)

So, we are visiting him again tonight, and she will come and show us his blood test results, tell us all about the levels and then we will take it from there.

Sam is determined not to make this easy is he?

So, handholding and fingercrossing still required and very much appreciated. Thank you

when Sam finally comes home, he needs a right talking to for making everyone worry so much!
I do hope he continues to improve (and a tiny bit faster than he is improving at the moment would be nice) so he can be back home sooner rather than later.

Its going in the right direction, which has to be good! Sounds as though he was really very sick, poor lad - bound to take his liver a little while to process all that. Hang in there, and kiss for Sam when you go in tonight

Kid says it all and I would agree with Elibean too, that it's bound to take time for Sam to get back on his paws. Loads of hugs and positive thoughts for him (and you) continuing to be sent your way.

Thank you

I am loving the fact that for such a placid and easy going dog he is developing a bit of an awkward streak! I just wish he could be awkward here at home!
His timing is pants too, I work part time in a school and we were all on half term this week - we had lots of dog-friendly excursions planned. Daft doggle preferred to spend the week on a drip at the vets!

Well, will see what tonight brings, hopefully the vet is a bit more optimistic and we can bring Sam home soon!

Much like kids then, Behind

(speaking as one who managed to get shingles this time last year, just in time to have to abandon our half-term trip to Italy )

Oh Elibean, that is bad luck. Mind you, at October half term last year dd came down with a tummy bug on the Saturday. She got better and I fell ill with it on the Monday. I got better and then ds fell ill with it on the Wednesday. He got better and then dh fell ill with it on the Friday. That was a fun half term!!

any update on Sam?

Like I said, just like kids then

I think I'd almost rather have shingles than the dreaded tummy bug, though!

Hoping Sam has a good night xx

I'm so sorry BLN. Horrible situation to be in. Is it possible to sign Sam back to the rescue? Not a great thing to do but in your position perhaps the only way?

I am getting to that point. Obviously we don't want to lose him. We love him. We have only had him home 8 weeks but we first met him at the end of June and fell hopelessly in love.

I just don't know which way to turn. I love him so so much and I need to do what is best for him. I feel so desperate atm and have not stopped crying. I jsut want my cuddle monster home. This is so awful.

Oh sweetheart

Not at all the news you, or we, hoped for. I shall rack my brains to come up with useful suggestions finance-wise, but the main thing is for Sam to be treatable - will the vet update you in the morning?

Sorry your dh is reacting with rows, too...sounds as though its anxiety-driven, but that doesn't really help unless he knows it too. Take care of yourself, will keep things more tightly crossed tonight.

ps totally understand that 8 weeks if more than long enough for Sam to be a member of your family.

Oh, this is awful news. Sending you lots and lots of hugs and to let you know we are thinking of you. I am sure the issue of Sam's fees will be solveable - I'd be more than happy personally to contribute to the rescue if they set up an appeal, which is often what rescues do, for particularly complex vet treatments etc. The important thing is to concentrate on your dear Sam and getting him well and to find out what's at the bottom of his illness. Keeping everything crossed for you all.

That sounds a bit brighter.

Would also like to know if there is an appeal for Sam's fees.

Count me in for a donation too. :)

I'm FAR from any form of veterinary expert, I can't even put a plaster on a paper cut properly but if it's any vague comfort as soon as I read of the abcess I thought as Jane from the rescue did (only wouldn't have been able to articulate it as well!).

I hope that this is the start of a HUGE upturn in Sam's health... I've fallen in love with this little chap without ever having met him.

BehindLock, just remember to take it easy and to eat, sleep and so on as you should. I know how worried you must be but we don't want you poorly too. :)

Hugs to little Sam, as always.