Fudge Had to Go to the Emergency Vet Last Night! Luckily, She is Fine!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Yesterday, it rained all day. Not a light rain either....it was a "walk your dog and get drenched day," which I did twice. The dogs were bored, so I gave them a new bone in the evening and settled down to watch Dancing With the Stars.  If you know anything about me, no one bothers me when DWTS is on. My family even has instructions to hold all calls from the Pope. About an hour into the show, I hear a god awful sound and minutes later, another one. I go out into the foyer and Fudge is frantically circling, licking her lips, moaning, and gulping. I immediately thought she had Bloat. When I let her outside, she was frantic, trying to eat grass, making whimpering noises,  and I noticed that she had vomited in the house, which I assume was the source of one of the loud noises.  Of course, I was home alone.  I checked for obstructions, did not see one, and loaded them in the car and by this time, she was less frantic, but still gulping.

Part of the reason for this discussion is to remind everyone to have a plan when there is an emergency.  I lose my keys every single day. I have already lost my set of car keys and could not find the spare set of keys or the single spare key we keep for emergencies. I couldn't find my phone and kept running to and fro trying to find things and wasting valuable time. Finally, I located the spare key, got ahold of my pet sitter to keep Vern, and Fudge and I made our way to the ER vet.

Once we got there, Fudge's symptoms seemed to be far less severe (naturally) but she was gulping and extending her neck repeatedly. They ruled out bloat, but thought she might have an obstruction.  Fudge was perfect and made me proud. They x-rayed her and did not see an obstruction, but did feel she had shards of bone in her colon waiting to pass. When I got home, the bone I gave them only had a few tiny pieces missing, and the only other thing I know that she has been chewing on is an antler. I will say they have a basket of bones, so I can't be sure.  They gave her fluids and medicine, sent us home with more medicine, and want her on a chicken and rice diet for a couple of days to let her esophagus rest. 

They said no food and water for 8 hours and when we got home, I put the food dishes up and Fudge sat in the kitchen staring at the bowls.  She would not move away from those bowls, and I disobeyed the doctor and opened a can of Fromm soft food and gave her just a bit.  Of course, I found out moments later why no one calls me Dr. Laurie, when she threw it up.  The good news is when she threw up that time she threw up some feathers and what looked like a tiny bone and that seemed to stop the gulping.  She slept all night and did not move this morning when my husband got up. Today, she is tired, but seems better and ate her chicken like a champ. 

I am going to try and have a small kit by the door from now on in case of another emergency. Thank goodness if was not bloat, because every second counts, and I lost many with my poor organizational skills and forgetfulness. Another reminder to get Pet Insurance, because this 4 hour visit cost over $500.

P.S. Nothing proves to my family more than this how much I love my Fudge. I did not hesitate to turn off Dancing with the Stars to take Fudge to the vet.

[Regina and Hurley]

I am glad that Fudge is ok...that always happens to me too. When I am ready to go out the door and rushing to be somewhere I can never find my keys!!
I know it was frightening not knowing what was going on with Fudge I am so relieved that is was nothing major and she will be ok...!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Regina. You have enough to worry about and I appreciate the comment. Hurley is going to be fine, too. I just feel it in my heart.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Laurie, you made me cry....I love all our doodles and thought of poor Fudge struggling, well it was unbearable to imagine.

Um feathers? Geeze she is a little sneak isn't she.

I would have done the same thing if Daisy was staring at empty bowls, I mean come on - LOL.

DWTS addict that you are I am going to assume you also have it DVR'd! Who's your favorite?

My keys and my purse live IN my car....I know that is bad but the car is always locked in the garage. DH hates that I do that but I do it anyway.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you, Lisa. We do care so much about all our Doodle friends. I appreciate it. I do not have a DVR....F keeps telling me to get one. LOL  I like all the ones left. I think William Levy is going to win. My prediction.

[Carol and Banjo]

I'm so happy Fudge is alright Laurie!   You must have been so frantic....and of course when we feel that way - even the simple, routine things become a challenge.   Thanks for sharing and I love your tip for keeping the "emergency kit".   I was lying in bed the other night thinking "what would we do if there were a fire...or some one trying to get into the house in the middle of the night.   How would we ensure that Banjo was safe and WITH us?".    He doesn't wear a collar of any kind in the house.   I have an inexpensive slip lead that we now keep on the closet doorknob.  Easy to put on if ever something were to happen.     And NOW, I'm going to research Pet Insurance!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Carol, Thank you! Yes, I am in the process of filing a claim. It really does help with peace of mind. I lost my keys again today. I really need an assistant...LOL!

[Katie and Sophie]

Oh no!  Fudge, you arent supposed to eat feathers silly girl!  Im glad she is okay!  what a scary situation!  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Katie.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you, Andrea. I didn't want anyone to worry and thank you for caring. I really appreciate all the comments. It will be interesting to see who goes. Everyone is so good this season.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So happy that everything turned out ok.  Now, stop procrastinating and get some pet insurance or next time you might have to sell the pontoon boat to pay the vet bill and it looked like Fudge and Vern were enjoying it pretty good.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Where's that "Like" button?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I do have Pet Insurance, luckily! I just meant it is a good reminder for everyone to get Pet Insurance because the littlest thing can add up to so much money. I think it was a goose who had it out for me after I wrote that discussion about disgusting geese :)