UPDATED W/ A TRIP TO THE VET--And the sick Doodle saga continues

[Heather & Brinkley]

So, first Brinkley was itchy.  Then he was itchy with hotspots and getting worse.  So I took him to the vet, he was given a steroid shot and then given Presnidone. The first day of the shot he ate and drank like a horse.  The second day, he drank a lot but eating was normal.  That's about where we left off with my previous posts.

Today, I spoke to the vet first thing in the morning.  He didn't seem alarmed at his lethargy because he was still acting like a sleepy version of himself.  He told me to monitor him and call him in a week unless things got worse.  One hour after I got off the phone with the vet, I noticed one streak of red in the second log of Brinkley's poop.  He's been having massive poops because he was eating more, so we concluded that since it was just one streak, it looked more like the hard poop scratched him.  The blood wasn't intertwined.  Sorry for TMI!!

He perked up and seemed okay so he played a bit with one of his friends. Then I dropped him off at home and went to grab dinner.  An hour later I got a call from my parents that said Brinkley was really lethargic again and that they were worried.  

I came home to find a semi-lethargic dog but not nearly as bad as I had imagined.  Then 20 minutes later he threw up... and threw up... and threw up.... five different times. 

He hadn't eaten any of his food so I was wondering what he was throwing up. Then it dawned on me.  While Brinkley and Max were playing, my friend's husband was watching them. Normally, it's my friend that watches them. She knows to pick up her dog's food because Brinkley can't eat Max's food. I think he got into Max's food which is a store brand, I believe.  But Brinkley has a very sensitive stomach and he doesn't do well on anything that has a lot of fillers. Then, it dawned on me that Brinkley was given a rawhide while at their house.  When we looked at the back, it was made in China.  Yikes!  Brinkley had a hospital stay after he ate a China bone by accident.  

I think the Prednisone already messed him up and Brinkley wasn't feeling well already and then, all these foreign foods sent him over the edge. Does this sound like it could be it?

I have a call into the vet to call me back first thing in the morning.  And if we need the appointment I have a vet appointment scheduled for 12:30.  

I'm leery to give Brinkley his dose of Prednisone tonight...especially on an empty tummy since he's vomited so much. Thoughts... on all of this??

UPDATE**

Brinkley slept through the night but then he woke me up whimpering so I rushed him outside.  I had a feeling he had to either go to the bathroom or throw up.  The latter was the case.  He threw up three times within minutes.  He hadn't had much to eat so all he was throwing up was yellow bile and BLOOD!!  I freaked!  I threw on clothes, yelled up the stairs to my dad (remember, I'm living with my parents for two years while my husband is living in Massachusetts and going to Physician Assistant school) and we all jumped in the car and headed to the vet.  While in the car, I called them to tell them that we were on our way and couldn't wait until our 12:30 vet appointment.  Instead, we'd needed to be seen ASAP because of the blood.  

They got us in right away and after three hours at the vet, tests, etc. showed that he has pancreatitis and possibly a scraped or torn esophagus.  No obstruction, thank goodness!  We reduced his Prednisone dose, he's on anti-nausea bills and an acid reducer that will help coat his esophagus so it can heal.  

He was also given a shot of meds that stops the vomiting.  It lasts for 24 hours. They only wanted to stop it for that long, because if he starts to vomit again, then there could be a larger problem which they don't want to mask with a week long dose of pills.  He vomits tomorrow morning, we go back to the vet.  If not, we will check in periodically next week by phone.  

They are 99% sure there isn't an ulcer because that would show up in poop and throw up as a coffee ground look.  This was bright red.

I'm exhausted.  I've also had a flat tire and the AC in my rental property went out-- all within in moments of Brinkley getting sick. I do events on the side and I have 48 cupcakes to make and decorate for a Saturday morning party.  My time at the vet was the time I had carved out to make the cupcakes.  It's going to be a long night.  Phew!

 

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh my gracious.....yes upper GI bleeds come out the bottom like coffee grounds....bright red blood is from the bottom. I a, so sorry you are dealing with so much..but didn't you say their was bright red blood in his poop too? Poor baby poor you! Sending love!

[F, Calla & Luca]

It is confusing that he vomited bright red blood, which could be from his esophagus but also had bright red blood in his stool, which cannot be from his esophagus.

[Heather & Brinkley]

That was from straining because he had a hard poop and it was only in one small spot. I brought it in and took a picture(yes, I know, gross!!) and they did a stool sample while there. Last week, he started eating more than he normally does (which is good because he needed to eat more) but his poops have been huge and a bit harder since he's been eating more. I'd have to go back and look at exactly what they called it-- my brain isn't working right now, it's been a long day. He hasn't had anymore blood In his stool since yesterday morning.

[Valarie]

Heather,  Thinking of you and Brinkley.  Please give us an update when you can. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh Heather, I'm so sorry you and poor Brinkley are going through this. I hope the meds help and he feels better soon.

 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so sorry this has happened to you and Brinkley. I hope you will update when possible so that we can hear how Brinkley is doing now. Also, good luck with your event and all the responsibilities this weekend in addition to worrying about your doodle. Lots of hugs and doodle kisses. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Oh Heather, I'm so sorry to read about all that has happened. You and Brinkley are in my thoughts. I really hope he gets better soon! Please find some time for yourself to relax and unwind. I know how stressful stuff like this can be. Take Care! Kisses to Brinkely!