Update #2 added (Maybe I was wrong): Brinkley not feeling well

[Heather & Brinkley]

Well, we've had a good and long streak of Brinkley being healthy. My friend even said to me the other day, "gosh, he's been doing really well. No tummy issues and no itching for quite a while." On Tuesday night I noticed he was getting tired faster and sleeping more. But then he got a huge burst of energy and was back to barking and playing-- so I thought I was just being a worrisome doodle owner. Then Wednesday, he did the same thing-- back and forth between having spurts of energy and sleeping more but didn't show any signs of discomfort (and he didn't show the normal signs I've seen when he's had pancreatitis in the past.) I did notice he wasn't eating as much but he was still chugging water like normal. Wednesday afternoon he barked at person going by and in between a few barks, he'd "cough" or act like he was choking. That was a one-time thing-- and hasn't reoccurred since. (He's vaccinated against kennel cough; the last time he was at the groomer and a pet store was a month ago; I don't take him to dog parks; and he hasn't been to doggie day care in 9 months. He has a buddy that he plays with 2-3 times a week, who is also vaccinated and doesn't go to dog parks).

We took him on his normal walk and he didn't poop. That's when I got a little more concerned because Wednesday's morning BM was tiny. He's normally like clockwork-- but he hadn't eaten as much either. I also noticed one paw that was bothering him. He started licking it and it was red and a bit tender. I put the medicine on his paw that we have from the past and that's helping.

Last night, he woke me up with a semi-groan. He wanted me to be by him. When I'd get up to get back in bed, he'd do it again until I'd come back down on the floor (imagine me, 8 1/2 months pregnant, laying on the floor next to Brinkley).

This morning he didn't want to go on his walk. I took him outside; he peed and then wanted to go back in and sleep. Before he slept though, he drank a lot of water (which when he's developing pancreatitis he never drinks).

He just slept on my bed all morning.

So I'm stumped. I made a vet appointment for him. The only one they had was at 7:15 tonight! They are never that busy. And it's with the one doctor that I don't care for but I don't feel comfortable waiting until tomorrow, so I'll suck it up and see her and I'll just be firm with her-- she drives me nuts.

Any thoughts?

Here he is not feeling well:

 

UPDATE:

Oh boy-- after that visit I now remember why I refuse to see that particular doctor. She loves to hear herself talk; she throws out terms that no non-med person would understand; and every time I see her I walk out of there spending at least $300 bucks. When I see my favorite vet I spend around $100 but his wife just had a baby so he wasn't there. No matter how many times I ask her to explain what she's doing and why, I end up even more confused with her.

Oh and we had our normal argument that she and I always have because she says Orijen is the reason for his GI issues. Say what?!? You mesn those GI issues hes' stopped having since he's been on the food (until today). She went on to tell me that dogs aren't carnivores and people just take away grains because they self-diagnose dog allergies-- but most dogs with allergy issues have problems with turkey and chicken not grains. I went on to tell her that my understanding was that most allergies are environmental not food related.... and when I told her we chose Orjjen not because of allergies, but because of its higher Omega 3 content and that Omega-6 fats tend to be a pro-inflammatory, she was quiet. I then said I refuse to buy her rx food bc I've noticed a huge difference in Brinkley's health with his long term use of Orijen so this portion of the conversation needed to end.

So, all of his blood work came back normal. She didn't have any ideas other than general GI issues. She sent us home with some meds and a $354 bill.

Brinkley drank water before we left for the vet and at the vet so he was back to drinking. When we came home he scarfed down a couple boiled chicken breasts and started perking up. Then I checked his food bag and found ANTS!!! His food had ants in it and I didn't know it. I think he was starving himself for the last few days bc his food had ants in it. I keep it sealed but the seal was broken. So I fed him more chicken and he drank more and perked up even more. I think he was weak from not eating.  Time will tell but I can't believe it could possibly be because his food was infested and he was starving. :(

UPDATE #2-- MAYBE I WAS WRONG ABOUT THE ANTS

Brinkley is still perky but he woke me up in the middle of the night last night after refusing to come to bed.  He insisted he sleep by the door.  He only does this when his tummy hurts and he needs to go outside quickly.  I heard him crying at 4 so I let him out.  He peed and then came back in and resumed his position at the door.  At 7am he woke me up crying (I know this cry-- it's like no other one he does-- and he only does it when he needs to go outside due to diarrhea.)  I opened the door and he bolted outside.  He had diarrhea-- it was basically liquid. This has happened three times this morning (7am, 9:30am & 11:45am).  So I decided to start him on the meds that the doctor gave us.  He's still drinking his normal amount.  I get so stressed when he's sick.  It's been a rough few days in our house between him being sick and a few other stressors.  Maybe the ants in the food was pure coincidence and he really isn't feeling well?  Or is he getting diarrhea because he didn't eat for a few days-- and now he's eating?  Prob. not. 

 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks guys! We will certainly work out a different system. My poor starving buddy. I'm feeding him chicken breasts still (because I need to buy new food tonight) and I think his tummy needs some bland food as he eats again. He's getting stronger with each meal. He's still not his full self but he'll get there as he eats. :) He even tried to steal another dogs ball on his morning walk which he hadn't tried in a bit-- now that's the Brinkley I know!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm so happy to hear you are seeing improvement in Brinkley. You've taught us all a lesson in ant prevention. I'm sorry Brinkley had to suffer for it but grateful to know how to better protect our pets.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad he's feeling more like his old self! 

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Just went out and got a new airtight container myself!  Glad Brinkley is stealing balls - always a good sign!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Poor buddy glad you think you figured out the culprit :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad that Brinkley is doing better.  I hate ants. Every few years we have an invasion but in between we don't even see them on our sidewalks.

[Heather & Brinkley]

UPDATE #2-- MAYBE I WAS WRONG ABOUT THE ANTS

Brinkley is still perky but he woke me up in the middle of the night last night after refusing to come to bed.  He insisted he sleep by the door.  He only does this when his tummy hurts and he needs to go outside quickly.  I heard him crying at 4 so I let him out.  He peed and then came back in and resumed his position at the door.  At 7am he woke me up crying (I know this cry-- it's like no other one he does-- and he only does it when he needs to go outside due to diarrhea.) I opened the door and he bolted outside.  He had diarrhea-- it was basically liquid. This has happened three times this morning (7am, 9:30am & 11:45am).  So I decided to start him on the meds that the doctor gave us.  He's still drinking his normal amount.  I get so stressed when he's sick.  It's been a rough few days in our house between him being sick and a few other stressors.  Maybe the ants in the food were pure coincidence and he really isn't feeling well?  Or is he getting diarrhea because he didn't eat for a few days-- and now he's eating?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think not eating for a few days would cause urgent liquid diarrhea. 

Be sure to give him probiotics and yogurt while he's on the metronidazole. (allow at least two hours between the probiotics and the metro). I hope he starts to feel better soon. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yeah, you're right.  Probably not.  I have probiotics to give him.  What kind of yogurt?  Just plain? 

Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Plain unflavored fat-free yogurt. A couple of tablespoons twice a day. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Okay thanks.  I'm going to go to the store in a bit when someone can stay home with him and open the door for him.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I had this happen with Finn but it was after he ate --what I now believe to have been -- contaminated dried treats/chews. But it happened within 24 hours -- the effects lasted a couple of days.  We were lucky, all things considered.  Hope you can figure out what's wrong and Brinkley feels better soon.