An Update On JD For All of Our Wonderful Friends

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

By rights, this should go in the Health and Medical Issues Group, if anywhere. I hate posting a discussion in the general forum about sicknesses and problems, and I'm not looking for advice, but the response to my posts in the Food Group, the PMs and requests for updates from our friends here on DK has been so overwhelming, I thought I would just do it this way. Blog approval takes too long, and I'm really exhausted both physically and mentally. If there is one good thing that has come out of JD's illness, it's that I am blown away by the genuine caring and concern that our friends here have for him. Moved to tears, in fact.

Anyway, in a nutshell, JD has been ill for almost three weeks now. Started with lack of appetite, progressed to his not being able to keep his food down after his appetite returned. No fever, no diarrhea, no behavioral changes.

He does not ever, ever eat anything he shouldn't, and he is never unsupervised for one minute.

Food is not moving normally through his digestive tract, regardless of what kind, including homecooked and dehydrated raw. The food comes back up looking pretty much the way it did when it went in, even after more than 4 hours. No retching or heaving, either. Drinking water can set it off. He can hold down plain cooked poultry or beef with rice as long as he gets very small amounts at a time. THIS IS NOT A FOOD ISSUE.

He has lost over 5% of his body weight in the past two weeks.

He is not (and has never been) lethargic, his behavior is normal, he wants to play, and his appetite is ravenous.

We've been to the vet 4 times in the past two weeks, costs are past $1800. Numerous X-rays have been done, full blood chemistry panels, stool specimens, an ultrasound, and now a barium swallow. The latter is the only thing that showed anything, and the Xrays have been sent out to the radiologist for opinions on what it might be and whether an endoscopy is next on the list.  

We have ruled out pancreatitis, parasites, infections or viruses, liver issues, kidney issues, any kind of obstruction or blockage, and (ThankYouGod) megaesophagus.  

It does appear that the problem is with the upper part of the GI tract, probably esophageal, and the food is not moving through the digestive tract as rapidly as it should, again regardless of what kind or form we try. 

(The Xrays also showed that JD has osteoarthritis in his lower lumbar spine. This of course has nothing to do with the digestive issues, it's just more unhappy news I didn't need right now.)

JD is on three different meds now to help him keep the food down and prevent further irritation, and is to be fed 1 cup of cooked meat/chicken and rice 4x/day, while we wait for more answers.

Anyway, that's where we're at right now. Again, this is just an update to our friends who have expressed concern, we are doing everything we can. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person who has asked about him, both privately and publicly, because it's honestly what's helping us get through this. Hugs to you all.

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Anne!

[Nugget's Family]

Nugget and we are sending our prayers for a quick and thorough recovery.  JD and you are truly to thank for Nugget's good health now.   We think about that a lot and are very appreciative.  We hope that the vet has a good treatment for JD and that he feels well soon!  We also hope that you can get some rest and that your worries ease.

Susan, Jay, Katie and Nug

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you so much, Susan. I am so glad that Nugget has been doing well!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Hi Karen, I just came home and ran past DH to check on you two as well and S, R & B. I was so hoping for some answers for you today. Whatever it is that is ailing JD I hope that he feels better every day and gets back to norma real soonl.

Jane is right, you and JD are infamous here on DK, you are my go to Gal and without you I would have had to wing a lot of things (or actually work at it - ugh).

Please know that YOU and JD are and will remain in my prayers.

{{{hugs}}}

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks so much, Lisa, and big hugs to you, too!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

How's JD's night so far Karen? Keeping dinner down?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, he's had three of his four feedings so far, and three of his four doses of meds, and everything is staying down so far. We had one close call with the second dose of the medicine that has to be squirted into his mouth, but he only brought up a little. He hates it.

One hard thing is that he wants to play ball, and after he does, he gets thirsty. He can't have more than an inch of water in his bowl at a time, or it comes back up, along with his food. The jumping for the ball isn't great either. So poor guy can't have his usual treats and I can't even distract him with much of his favorite activity. :( 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It is so good that he feels so well though. Imagine him laying around lethargic!!! That would be so hard on both of you! I bet he'll settle for more belly rubs! So good to hear he is keeping down some food too. Must make you feel a little better having him eat.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm thrilled that he's eating. But I kind of wish he felt a little more like lying around.

He's Mr. Stoic, he rarely lets you know that something is bothering him. And when a ball is involved, forget it. He once had four bloody paws, two feet had the pads completely torn off, and he never let me know there was anything wrong because he was chasing the ball at the forest preserves. It wasn't until we got home and he couldn't get out of the car that I realized there was a problem!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

awe JD you are a real trooper!!

[BG and Gavin]

Here is a little game I play with Gavin when he has to be quiet and needs to be "worn out":  I take a treat (in your case a piece of chicken) and put it under one of three cups (think shell game) and Gavin has to go to one of the cups and tip it over to get the treat.  It really does give him a work out beleive it or not.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank, Linda, I'm going to try that!