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]

Yep.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our problem with Gordie this time is that he feels tooooo good and we cannot keep him in the ex-pen.  He keeps jumping/climbing out of it and this cannot be good for his recovering leg when he is supposed to be on leashed 5 minute potty walks only!  tomorrow he gets his stitches out which entitles him to be in a room - however he still can jump over the gate so......

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble keeping him from being too active for his own good; I had the same problems when my 9-yr-old poodle had knee surgery.

On the other hand, though, it does kind of warm your heart that they still have so much energy even though they're not youngsters any more.  

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It sounds like you guys are making some progress! I hope it continues and things are back to normal at your house soon!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Ricki!

[Christine & Camus]

Karen,  I am so sorry to hear that JD is so sick.  It has been a few days since I checked in and I have not read through all of the responses to your post.  So you may already have answered this question, but is he feeling any better?  Have you gotten any new information or a diagnosis?  I know you said it was not (and thankfully so) megaesophagus, but he is regurgitating his food?  JD has been through so much it is not fair that he (or you) should have to deal with anything more.  Thinking of you and JD.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Christine. You can believe I was thinking of you and Nietzsche a lot these past couple of weeks. No new info, no diagnosis, the vet is still calling it severe gastritis and wants to continue the diet and meds for the rest of the week. Hard to tell if it's helping or not because eating smaller amounts of ground meat & rice has never caused the problem, it's only when he eats larger meals or more complicated meals that he has trouble. But I guess we shall see. We moved to three larger meals today and still okay.

To me, what he was doing seemed more like regurgitating than vomiting. It was coming up very easily and quietly, without retching or heaving, and looking just like it did when it went in. :(

I think it's not fair that he has to go through this, too. Thanks for your good thoughts. 

[Christine & Camus]

Camus had a severe attack of Gastritis/Gastroenteritis in August, but he was throwing up every 20 minutes or so for many, many hours.  The vet did xrays, gave him a 5 mg Reglan injection and sent him home with Famotidine, Metroclopramide, Metronidazole and told me to feed him 3-4 small meals a day for at least one week.  The vet said the lining of Camus' stomach is thickened (?), which meant he had an ongoing problem.  No surprise there since I already knew he had an extremely sensitive digestive system.  It took a few weeks for him to get back to normal and since I added a non-dairy based probiotic to his daily regime he has not had any additional problems.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Did your vet give JD any medications to help calm his digestive system?  I hope he is getting better.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Christine. Yes, he has 3 medications.

I don't think we'll know if he's better until we stop the meds and try to get him back to normal eating.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I hope JD is feeling better soon, Karen.  He is definitely with the right person  - your love for animals and your knowledge are second to none!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Aw, thanks. I'm not feeling very knowledgable right now, lol, but I do love him beyond words.

[Susan and Sasha]

Just a "buddy check" to see how JD and you are doing today?

I read your update to Christine...and want you to know that we'll be keeping both of you in our thoughts and prayers...

Hugs from Sasha and Me...