fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Yesterday our sweet great Pyrenees male got horribly ill. He could hardly walk, and was awfully weak. We ended up taking him to the vet last night at 9 pm. His symptoms were vomiting, excessive drooling, couldn't eat, lethargy and weakness. The dog was negative for parvo, negative for intestinal worms, They initially thought from the x-ray that his stomach had twisted around, but after draining the stomach cavity and releasing all the gas from it, they x-rayed again and that wasn't it. So they did exploratory surgery to make sure he hadn't ingested a foreign body, but after going through his intestines 3 times that wasn't it. The doc has no idea what is causing the symptoms, so they are treating those symptoms. The bowel is moving very little and there is concern that the lack of movement will cause sections of it to die. So he is on medication to stimulate the bowel, IV to treat his severe dehydration and antibiotics to hopefully kill off whatever infection has caused all this. The doctor called me at 1 am, right after the surgery was over, but I haven't talked to him since. I did call up there and spoke to one of the other vets who said Linus is still stable, but his condition is still critical. I don't even know what all this is going to cost, since my dh took him up there. I'm a little afraid to ask. My biggest worry is that we will spend all this money on Linus and he will die anyway. Anybody have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 No ideas but :grouphug:. Its so awful to see our furry kids in pain and they can't tell us what is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 the strange thing is this....I've never been a "dog person". But I've totally fallen in love with this guy. We have 2 from the same litter, a male and a female and I just love our male so incredibly much, which I think is the only reason my dh was willing to lay out this much money for an animal I was bawling in the garage sitting with him last night; My sweet hubby told me he took him to the vet, not for the dog's sake, but for me and my dd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Call the vet's office and tell them what you are willing/able to spend. They can treat up to that amount, then call for okay to treat further if Linus improves. Our kitty became extremely ill and our financial situation at the time made it such that we could not afford a huge bill, so my husband gave them a limit of $300. I'm sorry; hope Linus improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'm so sorry about your poor Linus! Has he by any chance been eating Blue Buffalo dog food? There's a recall on some of that dog food right now. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm228986.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Yesterday our sweet great Pyrenees male got horribly ill. He could hardly walk, and was awfully weak. We ended up taking him to the vet last night at 9 pm. His symptoms were vomiting, excessive drooling, couldn't eat, lethargy and weakness. The dog was negative for parvo, negative for intestinal worms, They initially thought from the x-ray that his stomach had twisted around, but after draining the stomach cavity and releasing all the gas from it, they x-rayed again and that wasn't it. So they did exploratory surgery to make sure he hadn't ingested a foreign body, but after going through his intestines 3 times that wasn't it. The doc has no idea what is causing the symptoms, so they are treating those symptoms. The bowel is moving very little and there is concern that the lack of movement will cause sections of it to die. So he is on medication to stimulate the bowel, IV to treat his severe dehydration and antibiotics to hopefully kill off whatever infection has caused all this. The doctor called me at 1 am, right after the surgery was over, but I haven't talked to him since. I did call up there and spoke to one of the other vets who said Linus is still stable, but his condition is still critical. I don't even know what all this is going to cost, since my dh took him up there. I'm a little afraid to ask. My biggest worry is that we will spend all this money on Linus and he will die anyway. Anybody have any ideas? Have they tested the dog for Lyme disease? My dog showed those types of symptoms. They can test quickly and animals respond very well to antibiotics. :grouphug: Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Nope. We are purina people. And the other two dogs we have are fine. I've been wondering if he ate something poisonous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Hemangiosarcoma? My Leonberger died of a hemangiosarcoma last year. It's especially common in large breeds. Her symptoms were just like your dog's, except she didn't vomit. She was extremely weak, drooled, couldn't eat. Hemangiosarcomas in dogs occur most commonly in the heart or spleen. They're diagnosed by ultrasound, although they can be hard to see. I hope that's not what's wrong with him, but I'd think it would need to be looked into. It's the first thing my vet thought of when we showed up with a profoundly weak dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Have they tested the dog for Lyme disease? My dog showed those types of symptoms. They can test quickly and animals respond very well to antibiotics. :grouphug: Faithe Well, he doesn't have any of the joint swelling or lameness. But I don't think they tested him; might be worth it to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 He also said that all the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity are inflamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Also, you might want to post on Soph's ask the vet social group. I don't see her around here much anymore, but in the past she has responded to those queries quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Also, you might want to post on Soph's ask the vet social group. I don't see her around here much anymore, but in the past she has responded to those queries quickly. Do you have a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Do you have a link? Ask the vet at http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/group.php?groupid=63 You have to sign up but it only takes a minute. Or you could pm her http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/member.php?u=1185 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Ask the vet at http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/group.php?groupid=63You have to sign up but it only takes a minute. Or you could pm her http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/member.php?u=1185 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I'm SO SORRY to hear this!!! Please keep us posted. He must be GORGEOUS, and to be such a sweetie, too, I pray he heals completely!!!:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvingLife Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 That happened to our dog a few weeks after we adopted him. He was almost 4 months old when he started vomiting, couldn't walk, was so weak and severly dehydrated. We thought he had parvo, since he was unable to be vaccinated for it and we rushed him to the vet the next day. The vet tested him for many things, and he didn't have parvo. He gave him some antibiotics, and some fluid shots to get him hydrated. It turned out that he ate some wild mushrooms when we were walking him, I discovered that by watching him go for the mushrooms. Within a few days he was himself again, and all was good! I hope your dog feels better soon!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I hope your dog is ok -- I'm sure you're feeling worried and helpless, but hopefully the vet will have great news for you soon. Please keep us posted. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy in Ky Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I am so sorry your dog is sick. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 How is your dog doing today? I've been thinking about you. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 vet called yesterday. He is still pretty sick, but better than Friday. We're not out of the woods yet, but provided everything goes the way we are hoping, he will be home no later than Wednesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 vet called yesterday. He is still pretty sick, but better than Friday. We're not out of the woods yet, but provided everything goes the way we are hoping, he will be home no later than Wednesday. Infection? Peritonitis? Poisoning? Big Dog Bloat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 I'm relieved to hear that the vet thinks your dog will be ok -- I hope he's able to come home by Wednesday. Are you allowed to visit him at the vet? Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 18, 2010 Author Share Posted October 18, 2010 Infection? Peritonitis? Poisoning? Big Dog Bloat? not an official diagnosis. Just treating the symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 I don't have any ideas, but we had a Pyr and I'm hoping that things get better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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