Brinkley needs prayers-- not dehydration from beach

[Heather & Brinkley]

Last night I posted that Brinkley took an emergency trip to the vet yesterday because we thought he had gotten dehydrated from a beach trip on Sunday.  He worsened overnight so we took him back.  After lots and lots of tests, x-rays and ultrasounds there is a host of problems.  He has a fever of 106.3 and climbing.  His pancreas is enlarged and he probably has a pancreitis.  He also probably has ileus, which is an infection in the small intestine.  His guts aren't moving and his stomack is hard as a rock.  This is the major concern along with the fever.  They said they must get his intestines moving or it can be terrible trouble-- like him going septic and his brain overheating. 

What we have going for us is that we caught it early-- really early.  They said most people wait too long thinking it will pass and then the worse case scenerio of death happens.  I just knew something was wrong last night and that's when I rushed him with moments to spare before the vet closed.  My husband spent all afternoon at the vet with him today and now Brinkley is staying overnight getting pumped full of pain meds, antibiotics and and fluids.  They are hoping with constant monitoring his intestines will start to move and not go sceptic. 

I'm so scared.

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

yay!!!!! I knew you could do it, Brinkley!!!! What great news!!!! Hope he's doing even better today!!! It's so great when they get their appetite back, isn't it?

[Heather & Brinkley]

Just another update.  He's improving little by little.  He's still VERY weak and got up every 2 hours last night as I took him out, gave him water and bland small meals.  He's turned into a velcro dog- he just wants to be touching us at all times.  He REALLY needs a bath but I'm afraid it could be too much for him.  Thoughts?  Maybe it would make him feel better not being so stinky.

[BG and Gavin]

Little by little improvement is good!  I would not bath him.  He is not in good enough condition to withstand the stress of a bath,  Maybe you could just clean him a bit with a warm wash cloth. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Okay, thanks!  That's what I was going back and forth on.  I don't want to stress him.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I sincerely doubt that he is a bit aware that he's stinky or that it bothers him. Let him gain some strength is my thought. Maybe some wipes will help. He may not have been cleaning himself well in his state.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yeah, you're right.  I was kind of joking about him knowing he's stinky :)  He definitely wasn't cleaning himself and then the stay overnight at the hospital put him over the edge in the stinky category.  I'll keep wiping him down with dog wipes.

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Does he normally get stinky? Or is it just because he was ill? Parker is NEVER stinky...he didn't have a bath for a month and still smelled okay (we assumed this was the doodle, "hypoallergenic" kinda thing).

[Heather & Brinkley]

He NEVER gets stinky unless he's played in dirt or water that isn't pool water.  He even comes home from doggy daycare smelling perfect. It's because he was sick.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Glad to hear of his steady improvement. :) That's just great!  And I concur with the others about bathing right now!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Glad to hear he's doing better!!! Just give him lots of kisses and cuddles....maybe use some body spray on him just to mask it (for your benefit) until he feels 100%????? Sooooo glad he's doing better...keep us updated!!