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]

Wow, well, I was not thinking about cancer, and that has not been mentioned as a possibility. There could possibly be a benign growth in the esophagus, but esophageal cancer in dogs is extremely rare, I was told.

The ultrasound showed his liver, spleen, stomach, etc. to be normal.

Thanks, Carol, I'm hoping to be a good owner to Jack for many years to come.

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

So sorry to hear that Jackdoodle is ill. I will be thinking about both of you.  Hope you find out what the problem is soon. I know it is very stressful for you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Julie!

[Jo and Beamer]

thinking about you all

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Jo.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned, Clancy and Gordie send their love and get well wishes to JD.  Clancy says he will be glad to clean Jack's plate for him. Ned will be glad to share a pillow, and Gordie would LOVE to let JD sleep in his ex-pen, in fact he would love to send it to him right NOW!  (He can teach him how to climb over it too!)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks to Ned, Clancy and Gordie for their thoughtful, generous offers, and to their mom, too!

[Carol and Banjo]

Good Morning JD and Karen.....Hoping this Saturday brings good things for both of you.    JD we're sending you big, wet doodle kisses and Hugs to you Karen!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Carol! Hugs back atcha!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Happy Saturday, Karen and Jack!  Here's hoping the medications are taking effect, and Jack is feeling much more like himself today!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This one med is a real female dog to prepare and give. I'm going to call the pharmacy today and see if they can compound it for me somehow. We are losing half of it in the tubes, syringes, pill-cutter boxes, mortar we tried today, etc. If they're going to make a big pill that needs to be dissolved and "injected", why don't they make it more dissolvable????????? Better yet, why not make it a liquid??????

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

This one med is a real female dog to prepare and give.  ******************************   just saying.  I miss the asterisks.