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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Anyone up? My old boy is ill.

227 replies

AndroidSheep · 08/04/2019 02:09

My dog has prostatitis. He's been hospitalised, but home tonight because he wouldn't eat. They hoped home comforts and favourite foods would tempt him. So far no luck (came home about 10pm).

I'm on the living room floor with him tonight. DH has gone to our bed, as he's working tomorrow.

Any hand holding or advice gratefully recieved. I'm so scared he's not going to pull through this. (He's almost 13, a Lhasa Apso.) He's been asleep but wakes up crying and tries to change position then dozes off again. Going back to vet first thing in morning so trying to just let him sleep and not worry too much, so I can get some sleep, but its easier said than done

OP posts:
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Alicewond · 08/04/2019 04:50

Nn @mcjx & @AndroidSheep x

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 08/04/2019 04:51

Thank you mcjx. He's asleep, so fingers crossed we both get a bit of rest. Hope that you get a wee bit of respite soon too. Do you have long to go?

OP posts:
Alicewond · 08/04/2019 05:02

Hope you both manage a bit of sleep x

TheSassyAssassin · 08/04/2019 05:06

Woken by DD (who's now asleep next to me Hmm) and just seen your thread. Hope you are both sleeping peacefully now and things improve for Ozzie, who looks a real sweetie Flowers

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 08/04/2019 06:14

Thank you Sassy. We slept for a little bit then he woke up so I took him out again. He came over for proper cuddles on my lap which he hasn't done at all since he got home. He's just moved back onto his own bed I'm going to try to sleep again.

I'm struck by how much like his first night home tonight has been. He didn't want cuddles then either, always the independent one. He was 3 or 4 before he took to just snuggling in beside us.

OP posts:
Minxmumma · 08/04/2019 07:26

Hope you both managed a little sleep and today brings improvement.
So heart breaking when they are so sad xx

TheSassyAssassin · 08/04/2019 10:14

Hope today is better. Thinking of you both! Smile

Thisisthelaststraw · 08/04/2019 10:52

Thinking of you today. Hope your boy improves.

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 08/04/2019 11:12

Thanks everyone. He's back at his own vet they've taken him in to give more fluids and try another antibiotic. (Temperature is back up to 39.5°C). Once he's stable they'll do an ultrasound and get bloods analysed.

Vet says his abdomen is swollen. She's querying pancreatitis now (as well/instead? I'm not sure.) I did ask how worried we should be she just said, "Let us do the tests we'll phone when we know. I wouldn't want to get you worried when it could still be nothing serious, and totally resolvable"

He's very lethargic, although brighter than last night. Possibly a reaction to one of the meds he's been on that was causing the falling over.

In short, she's no idea why he's so unwell but at least they're properly investigating now.

I'm luckily off work this week, so I'm going to go to bed and try to get some proper sleep while DH is at work.

Hopefully we'll know more this evening. It means a lot to know you're all there and pulling for him. Thank you.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 08/04/2019 11:16

Fingers crossed for you both.

TheSassyAssassin · 08/04/2019 11:23

He's in the best place for now and hopefully he'll be feeling much more comfortable very soon! Hope you manage some decent sleep x

Bookworm4 · 08/04/2019 11:31

Fingers and paws all crossed here xx

Flower777 · 08/04/2019 12:20

Get some rest now. He is being well looked after. Keep us posted. Thinking of you xx

Alicewond · 08/04/2019 13:07

He’s in the best place to help him, getting fluids and antibiotics into him gives him a fighting chance. I’ll pop back on later to check on progress x

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 08/04/2019 16:28

He's being referred to the vet school in Glasgow.

Bloods are all excellent, no raised white or red cells, everything in normal limits.

Ultrasound shows a lump in his bladder and possibly his prostate. Vet school will be able to CT scan, and potentially operate on bladder.

On terrible note I've just discovered my Petplan cover only covers £4000 per year. (We're at £1035 so far) Our vet thinks vet school could "work with that £4000". Dont know whether to try to increase cover, or just accept that credit cards are going to take a battering.

They want him kept on fluids, so if he can't get into vet school tonight it'll be back to out of hours service.

OP posts:
Bookworm4 · 08/04/2019 17:38

You wouldn't be able to increase now he's under treatment, I've paid nearly £1000 to vets in past 10 days as I had cancelled insurance a few years ago and just put a bit aside each month. The vet school is best place for him and they should give you a definite diagnosis.
P.S We are in Scotland too 🐶

ThomasShelbysBunnet · 08/04/2019 17:57

Oh op I hope your boy is doing ok. Also close to Glasgow here, with a Lhasa apso cross. Thinking of you, and I hope your insurance will be adequate. At the end of the day though, we would do anything for our dogs eh Flowers

TheSassyAssassin · 08/04/2019 19:57

Great that he's being referred and is gonna get the best poss treatment. Fingers crossed on the money side though. All be worth it if they can help him get better 🤞

RosieMapleLeaf · 08/04/2019 21:47

Just checking for news today...I'm glad to hear they're investigating. I hope they find something that's easily treatable and he's soon back to his usual self.

Alicewond · 08/04/2019 23:03

The fact that his blood tests came back clear is a great sign. Fingers crossed! At least you can get some sleep and he’ll be more comfortable at the vets under supervision and on fluids. Hopefully the vet bill will be under the insurance limit, if not then you’ll figure it out, somehow I’m guessing that’s the least of your worries currently though! Been thinking of you both all day and at least there’s now a good chance he’ll be home with you soon x

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 08/04/2019 23:59

Few updates. Its been a long long day.

He checked in at 6pm. 7:30 they discussed tests and asked how I felt about a DNR if anything happened under sedation. Plan to treat aggressively, as was well on Thursday. I declined DNR, on the basis that it has been so sudden. Vet said she was covering bases didn't expect it to be an issue.

9:30 they phoned me. He came yelling sedation well. They've found a huge amount of inflammation in his abdomen. Spleen, pancreas, liver and prostate all inflamed to varying degrees. Losing control of back legs so will get a neurology team to check tomorrow.

Treatment for tonight

  • pain relief
  • try to decrease inflammation
-fluids

They're holding off on anti-biotics again until cultures come back from lab tomorrow, unless he spikes a temperature again.

Vet says he's settled in his kennel and seems comfortable. He looks pleased to see then when they go in, and is "brighter"

Phone will remain on tonight. They'll get in touch if anything changes. She said she's prepared to keep fighting for him because bloods okay and sudden onset. It's possible it's a massive response to infection, and once inflammation is calmed, he'll recover.

Mantra for now is "He's comfortable, people are with him, access to great equipment and medication."

I can't let him suffer, but if vet has some hope, I can't give up yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
AndroidSheep · 09/04/2019 00:05
  • he came through sedation. He hasn't made so much as a squeak with them, definitely no yelling.

MIL came with me to the vet hospital. She wanted to distract me while DH was at work (split shift) so I'm only just home - hence the jumbled updates.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 09/04/2019 00:07

Aww poor love and poor you. It's such a worry when they are ill. X

Tolleshunt · 09/04/2019 00:08

OP, just found this thread, and read it with my heart in my mouth.

I'm so pleased I t sounds like the vet school are on the right track now, and it's encouraging that he is brighter in himself.

Keeping everything crossed, and sending all good wishes to you and your adorable boy.

mcjx · 09/04/2019 00:37

God bless you @AndroidSheep and your little man. Sending love and hugs ❤️