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]

Good morning my friends! Heartfelt thanks again for all of your good thoughts and wishes!

JD is doing pretty well. We both slept well (and long!) and he woke me at 6:30 to go outside, which is unusual for him, but I'm glad he figured out that it's okay to do that! (Although I'd prefer some method other than standing on my pillow over my head, it's a little bit startling, lol! Those whose dogs whine, be grateful!)

He's still gobbling up his food. He's fighting me on taking his meds, as usual. His eye looks much better. He's extremely itchy, I don't know if that's from not having had his antihistamines and fatty acids for the past month, or if he's reacting to something from the past few days, but I'm going to talk to the doctor about it tomorrow. He's shedding up a storm! I'm hoping the steroids will help that, but it's a very low dose for him.

We took a nice walk this a.m. and he had the first semi-normal BM he's had since all of this started, so clearly things are better in his GI tract, thank goodness!

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and kiss your dogs for me!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Everything looks better after a good sleep, so glad that both you and JD are feeling better.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

:)  Finally.  Sounds like a better day, Karen    Dogs kissed.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good news Karen!! Glad he's fond of chicken and cream of wheat, an interesting combo, and up to taking a walk. I'm sure Jack had a lot of fluids on board hence the 6: 30 wake up call. The steroids should take care of the itching soon I hope. Glad the eye is healing. Let's hope each day gets better. The doodles and I will take a walk of our own in Jack's honor.

[Sharon & Monty]

YAY!  Wishing for more successful days ahead!

[Christine & Camus]

It is so good to hear that he is feeling better.  But, you should probably have a talk with him about the pillow routine because he may go the way of Camus and try curling up around your head and if that doesn't work there is always the doodle nose poke or better yet flipping the covers off of you with the big old doodle nose.  I always start the day (early) laughing!

[Carol and Banjo]

I can almost "hear" your feeling of relief Karen!    Enjoy the rest of your day with JD - we'll dontinue to keep fingers and paws crossed....looking forward to continued good news!!!

[Becka]

Great news--so glad to hear this!

[Anna and Achilles]

Glad to hear it is a better day! Thinking about you guys.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Great to hear some good news and that you both got some rest and hopefully it will only get better and better.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Finally, some relief for you and JD. What a time you all have had and I am so glad to hear he is eating and the poops are getting better. (only on DK...LOL) I hope each day gets better and better.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Great News Karen! I can't kiss my doodles because I'm in an airport lounge :( I miss them so much already and haven't even taken off. Kiss JD for me!!!!