Just In Case*UPDATE # 4 - Improving/Question

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Update #4 - My boy is back!  Not 100% yet but his loving, goofy self is slowly emerging.  He is still sleeping alot but has started to smile and interact with Rooney and I.  We are convinced he went into anaphylactic shock after stepping on a bee or wasp (you all were right!).  Stuart was stung once as a young puppy so here you have the first exposure, then this.  Vet thinks the next time could kill him so we are getting an Epi Pen to carry.  Stuart also went into anaphylatic shock after having Trifexis so we believe that he is allergic to some meds, we are going to have to be on lifelong alert but ANYTHING for my boy.  Finally pooed after 48 hrs - whew was that a poo I was giddy to pick up - lol.  Back to the vet tomorrow to re-check his slow heart rate - I'm betting is was the benadryl - and to re-check his paws.  Question - what is the best shoe type foot cover - I'm worried that the black top is too hot for him (maybe Rooney too).  Not sure what to use - Mutluks?  Thanks for all your advice and concern!!!

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Update #3 - Stuart was back at the Vets several things are going on.  The vet believes that Stuart was stung, is very allergic and is getting the correct dose so we will be carrying an Epi pen for the rest of Stuart's life.  I'll get the pen next week and until then - I'm so afraid it could happen again.  He is still very lethargic also believed from the Benadryl so at least for now - no walks - just out to potty and right back in.

After running several different tests on his diarrhea - that believe it is cause by a reaction to the Benadryl - so he is off of that as of now.  For his diarrhea he is on Proviable Cream and Pill.  Also on Flagyl.

The Vet is concerned as Stuart's heart rate is very low - we are hoping this is from the Benadryl but he is returning to the Vet's on Monday - I think if he had a problem it would have been caught before now so I'm trying not to worry too much about this - but still.  If it isn't down they want to do a chest x-ray and an Echo.

They couldn't find the stinger in his paw but they did give me a spray on medication - Vet dispense only called GenOne Spray.  Not our biggest problem at the moment but I'd like to see those paw pads clear up.

KAREN - Stuart is eating and keeping his food down but Doc says bland diet do to diarrhea - Stuart doesn't really eat many grains so is white rice and chicken broth going to upset his tummy? 

Dh is out of town for another 2 weeks and giving all these meds is hard by yourself, Stuart is afraid of me because I keep giving him meds or spraying his paws - he isn't the dog that I know at all, I'm worried him getting stung again and now the low heart rate.  Think I'm making a cocktail and going to have a good cry.  On the upside - WE HAVE INSURANCE!! 

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Stuart is slowly starting to come out of his fog.  He had one good poop and the last 2 were diarrhea - the last one has blood.  Needless to say Stuart is off to the Vet later today.  I am now convinced he was stung, that he stepped on it with his back left foot - that was the "fit" as I called it.  Last night I washed his feet and put anti-biotic creame between his inflamed paw pads.  He didn't want me touching that back left one - I wounder if the stinger could still be in there - I'll be having the vet check.  So QUESTION - DO THEY MAKE EPI PENS FOR DOGS?  He clearly has a bad allergy and I'm afraid the next time could kill him.    

 

Stuart has slept ALL day long.  He will wake up for me to take him potty - he pees, drinks some water, he is eating and did a normal b.m. but he is like a zombie.  No smiles, no playing, no interaction AT ALL.  I'm so hoping this is the effect of the meds which they said would make him "drowsy".  We are way past that.  If he doesn't start to pert up tomorrow - I'll be seeing the local vet.  The weirdness seems to be gone, no frantic licking - thank goodness!

 

    Rooney, Stuart and I have been having such a fun summer here in Michigan along the lake - until last evening when Stuart very suddenly became ill.  We went for one our evening walks along the bluff overlooking the lake - and Stuart just seemed "off".  Suddenly he had a little fit I guess I'd call it - not a seizure but his back leg wouldn't go down and he was twisting and jerking - then he plopped down in the grass panting and drooling and excessively, very frantically licking his feet and clawing at his head.  I tried not to panic - let him rest for a few minutes, got him back on his feet and then he had diarrhea.  We walked home with him "out of it".  Once home he wanted on my bed, bypassing an water (not normal).  

   I had brought up and given a copy of both the boys entire medical records & stopped in to introduce both doods to the Vet we used to use in Michigan - planning to never need him but just in case.  While I had been there I got their recommended 24 hour E.R. information once again for just in case.  Thank goodness I had done that because my just in case was coming into play.

   I, for the first time ever took Stuart's temp myself (yes I will be buying my bff a new thermometer), googled how to do it and what the results should be - in was 102.5 - high end of normal.  Entered the address of the E.R. into my GPS in the puppy hauler, packed vet records, and Orijen in my purse - just in case.  Once he again started with the licking and clawing off we went to the E.R. an hours drive on the highway.

   Long story but they believe he is having some kind of allergic reaction, white blood count normal, but his ALT - which I think is kidney function is high 280 when it should be 10-100.  He has to do follow up blood test in 2 weeks on this but they weren't concerned.  They gave him a shot of Diphenhydramine 50mg/ml and send me home with pills, he was also given a steroid shot - Dexamethasone.  I'm also putting Bitter Apple on his feet (2 have inflamed pads from licking).

  The moral of the story - Just In Case sometimes does come true.  This whole thing would have been way more stressful if I hadn't prepared for it.  Having a local vet lined up (who will handle follow up care), knowing where an E.R. was available, having complete vet records, and Stuart's PetPlan Insurance Info with me was invaluable.  So while we all travel about this summer plan for your Just in Case.

    What would cause this reaction?  My guess is that while at K9 Camp on Tuesday - they held a party for another camper and gave all the dogs treats.  When they told me I never thought to be concerned but as Orijen eaters who get almost no grains - could this be the cause.  Would it have taken 24 hrs to manifest symptoms.  Could he have gotten into something else?  Advice welcome.

A pitiful Stuart being enticed to eat breakfast while laying on the sofa, yes I'm pampering him - lol!

  

 

 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

So good to see update #4 and know that Stuart is almost back to normal!!  I've been reading your discussion, but have not had much time to respond!  What a rough couple of days you all have had!!!

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

So glad Stuart is feeling better.....  whoop....whoop....two doodle paws in the air!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad Stuart is almost back to normal and that now you have a plan of action.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Glad Stuart is doing better. 

 

It is a good reminder that hot blacktop can cause sever burns to dogs paws.

Hugs from our pack

 

[Rachel and Ollie]

I love these shoes. I was skeptical, but they rock. 

I am so glad Stuart is feeling better! It is so scary when they don't act like themselves! It break your heart! I'm happy his goofiness and smiles are coming back!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Glad to hear that he is doing better.  Here's hoping he is all back to normal really soon! 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Wow...I am glad that poor little Stuart is starting to feel more back to normal.  I am sorry that you will always have to be on guard from now on about potential allergies.  I would be a nervous wreck!  At least he's going to be ok now.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Jane

I am so sorry for what you are going through.  I thought it might have been a bee sting but wasn't quite sure.  Benedryl does help Jake when he is suffering from hot spots but I try to use only as a last resort because it makes him so lethargic.  I know it is scary but now you know what you are dealing with and will have the tools on hand to help him and lots of prayers of protection before walks:)  That's the best protection of all.

[Diana Erhart]

Jane, hope all goes well at the vet tomorrow.  I am certain that his low heart rate will be fine and was from the benadryl.  My husband has gone into anaphylactic shock quite a few times and several of those times they had to give him medicine to raise his heart rate after giving him the epinephrine.  Good luck and so glad to hear that things are looking so much better!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

What an ordeal you and Stuart have been through.  I'm so glad he is OK and that you will have the epi-pen for the future.  Webber walked into a nest of hornets a couple of years ago and got stung all over his belly.  He ran to me, bringing the hornets with him, and they stung me in four places.  Fortunately, he didn't have a physical response, but he now runs into the crate if he sees anything  that is flying!  

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Jane, I am so glad Stuart is finally feeling better.  Gosh, it is so frightening when they are not well and we do not know why.  You can both relax now.