Brinkley's healing process...

[Heather & Brinkley]

Brinkley's healing process is taking longer than I expected.  Last time he got sick by day three I was at least seeing small signs of his personality shining through the sickness... but this time around I just feel like he one giant slug.  I'm going to call the vet when they open today just get her take on it. Over the last 24 hours he has become less interested in food.  In order to get him to eat DH and I have to hand feed him the boiled chicken... and you can forget the rice.  He refuses to eat it.  And I basically have to force feed him water... which I don't like.  He needs to stay hydrated.  

His back legs are so weak.  I hope it's just weakness (in the back  of my head I keep thinking "boy, I hope he didn't lose motor skills when his fever got high)-- probably just me being over worrisome but this sickness has exceeded anything I've ever witnessed.  When he tries to poop it takes about 10 tries in order for him to have the strength and find the correct position to tuck and poop. And there are little weird things he's doing-- for instance, he won't walk on the side of the road... he HAS to walk straight down the middle.  This is a new development since he got sick.  You can imagine how hard it is when a car comes. And he won't even touch the grass... I cut through a yard this morning and he freaked. I'm not sure why he doesn't like the feel of grass on his paws as of late.  He has a very hard time lying down... and once he's down there he isn't comfortable but it's hard for his to get up and down... so he spends a lot of his time just sitting and looking... when I know he really wants to rest ( I do help him get down and find a comfy position but he doesn't stay long.)

 

Anyway, I'm just throwing all of this out there and you can give me your thoughts.  

 

This is all so overwhelming.  I had a mild meltdown last night.  Work is unbelievably stressful right now.  Our work is celebrating our 50th anniversary of broadcast and I'm the one producing the HUGE event with thousands of people... and this is on top of my normal job of producing a tv show every day.  Then add this with Brinkley, I just curled up on the sofa and went to sleep b/c everything felt too overwhelming. It's also stressing me out knowing that in a few days my DH is leaving town (he has an interview in Boston for Physician Assistant school in a few days)... so I know that if Brinkley doesn't get better I'm going to have to deal with all of this on my own.

 

Thanks for listening to my ramblings. 

[Dori & Rua]

Heather, so sorry to hear that Brinkley is bouncing back.  Hate that the poor guy is not feeling well.  I don't blame you, I would be going to the vet too.  And, it certainly doesn't help to have those stressers in your life.  Hopefully the big event will be over soon and that wll help your stress level.  Ummm, does that mean you also might have to move from VA to MA?  Heck, no wonder you are stressed.  You deserved a mild meltdown.  We are sending Brinkley pawsitive thoughts and will keep you all in our prayers.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks!  Possibly could mean a move... or it could mean I live with my parents in VA and DH rents a room in MA for 2 years-- and I fly to see him on weekends so I keep my job.  Who knows! One step at a time.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

Sending get well wishes to Brinkley, sounds like a lot of stress for all of you.  No ideas here as to what is causing these problems, though.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

That all sounds like a lot to deal with and you quite rightly seem overwhelmed at the moment.  I think you should definitely go back to the vet because poor Brinkley is having such a very hard time.  Does he seem wobbly or disorientated at all?  The walking down the middle of the road and the grass thing is odd and I would be wondering if there are some neurological causes going on here.  I had a dog years ago who was very ill and behaved very oddly for a a few weeks.  Glad to say she bounced right back but it was a very scary time.  I do hope that things get better for Brinkley and that you know there are lots of people here on DK who really care.  If I was near to you and not thousands of miles away I would have loved to step in and help out a bit.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks so much!

[Phoebe's Mom]

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through all of this right now.  It seems that any one of those stressors in your life would be a lot to deal with but, all at once, it might seem impossible.  That said, our therapist (we moved halfway across the country for a job my husband lost shortly thereafter, he has been looking for 20 months with no success and we have four young children...hence the therapist for us both!) suggested we keep focused by breaking down each day into two hour increments so as not to be overwhelmed with our thoughts and anxieties.  In doing so we have seen just how much we can accomplish and we don't get lost in the overwhelming complexity of all our problems.  Calling the vet is your first step, what he tells you to do will be your next plan of action.  Silly and cliche but one step at a time ( and those mini breakdowns are sometimes just necessary to get it all out and move forward).  Keep us posted!  I will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers--it might not be easier but you can do this!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Heather - I am so sorry to hear that Brinkley's recovery is slower than expected.  Take care of yourself so you can take care of Brinkley.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Heather - this would all send me over the edge too!  I'm sure that you are doing a great job with all that you have on your plate.  Could I suggest a couple of thoughts not really knowing what you have already done. 

1.  Is there a specialty hospital near you?  Have you considered taking Brinkley to someplace that might have specialists that could do further testing?  (knowing that it can get expensive)

2.  If your DH leaves town do you have a trusted dog sitter that you could leave Brinkley for periods of time when you are gone or need to be focused on your work?

Dogs are very resilient animals and I'm sure that Brinkley is doing his very best to fight his way back to healthy and normal.  Don't give up that all this will pass.  It make take some time.  We are saying our prayers for all of you!!!!

[Heather & Brinkley]

Hey Jane!

 

1.  Our vet actually is the specialty hospital.  They've run a bunch of tests... white blood cell count is fine; no obstruction; bacteria levels are okay; no tumor in the brain.  She said that all of his other behaviors are stemming from lack of gut sounds/juices.  When things aren't moving he's in pain.  She gave us some meds to help with all of that.

2. My dog sitter JUST moved away :(  I need to find another one.  The one thing I have going for me is that starting on Wednesday (when DH leaves) I had taken time off. I had taken time off b/c we had planned a family vacation.  Then the school called and offered Brandon an interview RIGHT in the middle of our planned vacation... so he's going to the school in Boston and we aren't going on our vacation... but I still kept my time off, so I'll be home and I didn't tell anyone at work that I'm staying in town.  

 

Thanks for the support! 

[Heather & Brinkley]

We just got back from the vet.  He had taken a step backwards.  He didn't have gut sounds again which means things stopped moving in his tummy.  This was causing pain.  He was also dehydrated again.  The gave him more fluids.  They also gave him a pain med injections and they gave us some pill that will help with gut juices/sounds that he'll take 1/2 hour before he eats..  I just knew he wasn't acting right again.

[Joan, Louie and Mila]

Heather, prayers and good wishes coming your way...this is just a setback... Brinkley is strong and so are you. You are on top of this and will continue to improve. Warmest Regards...

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Oh Heather - I'm sorry that he continues to have problems.  His little pipes aren't working right and I can see how awful that would make him feel.  Continue to keep us posted - we are thinking about you!