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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

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Original poster
AndroidSheep · 23/04/2019 20:07

Hi folks.

I think he may have eaten a few bites while I was at work. Haven't seen DH to check, but bowl looks less full.

He's here beside me sleeping, back legs twitching, sometimes squeaking. I'm hoping that's still painkiller leaving his system, but I can't tell if he's dreaming or crying. I can't get tablets into him today. His mouth just fills with white foam, I phoned hospital, no one free yet.

DH keeps telling me to leave him alone, just let him be. Ive ordered a pill popper that should arrive to see if that's any easier. He's still drinking, still likes idea of walks, still following me around the house. Not reluctant to move, but not able to take more than a few steps. Sad

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TheSassyAssassin · 23/04/2019 20:34

Oh Android, def sounds like might be worth taking him back in for a check-up? Good that he's hopefully eaten and I'd say those are dreams, but if you can get him.checked over then either your mind will be put at rest, or they may decide to admit for fluids etc Flowers

Bookworm4 · 23/04/2019 20:57

Wee sausage so he is 😍🐶

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 24/04/2019 12:26

We're off back to hospital this afternoon. Was a bit floppy this morning. DH is syringing puppy milk into his mouth (Top Life stuff, basically goats milk with vitamins) to get some nutrients into him. He seems to have perked up, just looks exhausted. I think he's sore, DH disagrees.

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Bookworm4 · 24/04/2019 15:44

Oh no, he's been through the mill this wee lad xx

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 24/04/2019 16:00

He has indeed. They're keeping him in for IV antibiotics, feeding tube and more scans. Very subdued vet, and a very upset DH who thought I was being over protective. They'll phone with update later tonight. Please keep all paws crossed!

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TheSassyAssassin · 24/04/2019 16:02

Sounded like he definitely needed fluids etc, so glad you have got him back in Android. Really hope the scans get to the bottom of it all a bit more and the IVs help him feel better poor thing Flowers

BiteyShark · 24/04/2019 18:03

Hope you get some news soon Thanks

spiderlight · 24/04/2019 19:37

Oh bless him. I hope the fluids perk him up. Everything crossed for a positive update tonight Flowers

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 24/04/2019 21:58

It's not his prostate or pancreas - both are less inflamed than last week.

Low temperature, high red blood count, enzymes are all wrong. He's back in ICU, under constant observation. They're treating him for shock at the minute. Lots it could be... prostate cancer, adrenal cancer or a lesion on his spleen that they thought was nothing could actually be a tumour.

Symptoms are also consistent with Addison's Disease, although it would be a very sudden onset. They'll test for that tomorrow.

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TheSassyAssassin · 24/04/2019 22:20

Oh Android ((((())))) At least he's being well looked after and you'll hopefully know what is wrong v soon. And he's comfortable and rehydrated etc. Thinking of you x

BiteyShark · 25/04/2019 05:37

Glad he's back and getting treatment but awful that you still don't have answers. The not knowing and waiting is horrible Flowers

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 25/04/2019 12:34

He's had a good night. Steady improvement, went for a walk and is all waggy tailed.

No further forward yet.

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Bookworm4 · 25/04/2019 13:37

It must be frustrating after all this they still haven't have you a definitive diagnosis.

doodleygirl · 25/04/2019 13:38

Your poor old boy, he is really going through the mill. My girl has Addisons and it came on very quickly, she was 3 at the time and turns 10 this year. It is normally very manageable.

Sending good vibes from my doodleygirl and me. Flowers

spiderlight · 25/04/2019 13:54

Glad he's had a good night. i hope you get some answers soon.

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 25/04/2019 23:39

Thanks all.

Vet given us choice of just treating Addisons and seeing what happens, or treating Addisons and doing biopsy of the lesion they found on his spleen. Tricky because spleen biopsy could give a false negative for cancer, so we could do that and still be no further forward.

Going to sleep on it tonight, going back and forward over benefit of possibly knowing (with potential for false negative clouding that), vs waiting and watching, vs aggressive treatment to potential cancer as soon as possible vs his age vs the quick response to Addisons treatment he's had so far. (Wait and watch has disadvantage that steroids could mask a tumour)

@doodleygirl, thinking back I'm seeing little signs that fit with Addisons that we just shrugged off as "being Ozzi". Does doodleygirl get tablets or did you opt for the injections? They think 13 is a strange age to hit Addisonian crisis but saying it could have been there unnoticed, or could be secondary to something else.

If the lesion in spleen is cancerous, they want to remove his spleen. If its lymphoma, we need to decide whether to also opt for chemo.

Any stories/ advice welcome.

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TheSassyAssassin · 25/04/2019 23:46

No stories or advice this end...though DD has just projectile vomited for the fourth time so I might be up for a while yet if you need to think out loud Confused Tough call given his age but guess you kinda need to know what you are fighting to get the right treatment for him.... Flowers

doodleygirl · 25/04/2019 23:57

She was on tablets to start with but the manufacturers withdrew licence I believe. For the last few years she has an injection once a month of 1.5ml Zycoryal.
It’s certainly a tough one for you. Hope Ozzi isn’t feeling too bad

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 26/04/2019 15:18

Happy update today. Vet phoned and said he has really improved with the Addisons treatment, so she's taken biopsy off table. Worried it could cause a set back, and give no usual information. She said her instinct is that its 'just' Addisons so well treat that for now and watch.

Going in to see him tonight, and will get another chance to speak to vet.

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Original poster
AndroidSheep · 26/04/2019 15:18
  • useful information, not usual.
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Bookworm4 · 26/04/2019 16:21

Here's hoping everything is under control x

Original poster
AndroidSheep · 26/04/2019 21:00

Thanks bookworm. How's your girl doing now?

@doodleygirl he's on tablets just now, because vet wants to watch his electrolytes and muscle weakness. She's wary of getting the dosing right, just now. She mentioned a switch to injections once he's stable. Do you find monitoring stress and symptoms difficult, or now she's medicated does your girl cope with changes to routine well?

He's doing much better tonight. He looks bright and was interested in everything around him.

He needs monitoring over the next few days, but he's eaten a good amount of food. Vet is hopeful he'll be able to come home on Tuesday.

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incogneto · 26/04/2019 21:11

@AndroidSheep Hi, I've NC'd recently but have commented on this thread previously and have been following since this beginning (I hope you recognise who I am).

Sorry I haven't checked in for a little while, I've been busy this week preparing for my new arrival! But just want to let you know I have been reading your updates and send my love and kisses to your little Ozzi 💙

doodleygirl · 26/04/2019 21:43

So pleased he is responding to treatment Smile

I was told by my vet tablets are no longer available,we had no choice in the switch to zycortal. She also takes quarter steroid every day. We dont have any symptoms to manage. She has her bloods/electrolytes done about 3 times a year. When she was first diagnosed it took about 6 months to get dosage correct but since then it’s been fine.

Hopefully you will see an improvement very quickly.