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.

 

 

 

[Doris]

hugs and doodlekisses from Bodi!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Doris!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

UPDATE: Good news, but frustrating.

The radiologist does not think that what he sees on the barium X-rays warrant an endoscopy at this point. We are going to continue just trying the conservative diet-and-meds plan we're on now and see how things go. Hopefully this is just a really bad gastritis of some kind, no known reason, and he will eventually get back to normal. The vet said we will reevaluate every few days and try gradually moving him back to larger amounts of food less often, etc.

Keep your fingers crossed!  

 

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

That would be the best news if it will just resolve on it's own with meds and diet. We're sure hoping for a speedy recovery. He is lucky to have you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Sue, but I'm the lucky one. When you get scared you might lose them, you realize just how lucky you are. ;)

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thank goodness nothing weird was found. With all of our prayers JD should be back soon.

You Two were meant to find each other and you are both lucky to have one another!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Lisa.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Fingers are crossed and positive thoughts continuing your way.  Hopefully, JD will back to 100% soon!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Deanna.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds good.  You know sometimes even good dogs ingest something that bothers them.  Watch his stools anyway.  Sometimes they will pass something that was causing the vomiting previously.  Sounds like he is on the path to recovery.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, we are pretty certain that this wasn't caused by anything he ingested, but you can believe I've been watching his stool like a hawk anyway. Thanks, Lynda.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Fingers, toes and everything else firmly crossed here X