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!

  

 

 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

So sorry Jane but very glad you were prepared.  Stuart and Rooney are very lucky to have you.  Hugs to Stuart and hope he is back to normal soon.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Stuart is so lucky to have such a prepared and caring mom!  I'm hoping it's an allergic reaction to a bug or animal or something else and he'll be back to his old self in no time!  It doesn't really sound like exhaustion or because of all the recent changes.  I wouldn't think he would have leg issues with those two causes.  Keep us posted!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

So smart to be prepared.  The one hour drive must have seemed like one day.  I think it had to be something mildly poisonous he ate (other than at the day care) possibly something he stepped in and then started clawing and licking.  Could have been stinging ants, nettles, who knows.  Stuart, please recover quickly and thank your mom for being so prepared.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

How is Stuart doing?  Is he getting back to his normal self?  I sure hope so. 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Great advice Jane, we are planning a small trip to WI and I am ashamed to admit never thought of this. You just never know.

I am glad that all seems to be well, it was scary reading this in the beginning.

Feel better Stewart you beautiful boy you!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Sorry you had such a horrible experience Jane. I'm glad Stuart is coming around. Because of your post I remembered to provide my doodle sitter tonight with emergency contact and hospital information. It's always good to be safe!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, shoot! I don't get notifications of updates in the body of the discussion, so didn't see this til I got your PM, Jane.

I'm so sorry poor Stuart had such a bad reaction and is feeling so awful.

Ask the vet about Claritin or Zyrtec, or one of the other 2nd generation histamine blockers that doesn't have the side-effects of the 1st generation antihistamines like Benadryl. I have found many general prectice vets are clueless about antihistamines other than Benadryl, which the specialists hate and never prescribe. The 2nd generation antihistamines don't cause drowsiness, lethargy, etc.

As for the diet, the white rice and chicken should be fine, even though he normally gets a grain-free diet, but what works better for JD is chicken and mashed sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes should also be even better for the diarrhea than rice. I never knew how easy and fast it is to bake & mash a sweet potato; 7 minutes in the microwave, than I pull off the skin, and mash it in a bowl with just a fork, adding just a little bit of water. Otherwise, white rice is fine. Cut the chicken up teeny-tiny, easier to digest. Just re-read your post and I see "chicken broth"; did the vet say chicken broth instead of actual chicken? All I can say about that is that JD ate actual chicken the day after he had his endoscopy without a problem, even though his GI tract was inflamed and ulcerated from one end to the other, and he had been vomiting for 3 weeks, so I am absolutely certain that Stuart can have some real chicken breast and not just broth.

Feel better, both of you.

JD says, "Suck it up and quit making your mom cry, Stuart! I have to take 11 pills a day and get at least one shot every single week, besides sprays and things that barely even count, and you don't see me whining, do you? Our moms are trying to help us, stop acting afraid of yours and go give her a big kiss!"

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hope Stuart feels better soon. I can't imagine why the vets still only prescribe Benadryl although it is a good antihistamine despite the side effects. I wonder if it isn't more potent. I know I take Allegra for my allergies but in the rare event that I have a cold Chlortrimeton works much better for the symptoms but it is very sedating.

I didn't see these updates til now myself. I think it helps if the poster "replies" and says there is an update and then we know to look for it. 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Karen - I think the thing that scares me the most - he acts like he doesn't know me.  I walk in the door and he doesn't get up off the floor.  It is actually breaking my heart to see him like this.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, It will get better. We all act differently when we are sick and it has to be scary for Stuart and you. Hang in there! We are all thinking about you and Stuart!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Don't take that personally, Jane, it's the meds and feeling sick, not you. He still feels exactly the same as he ever did about you!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Jane...Wow...I am so sorry that this is happening.  Welcome to Michigan, huh?  Anyway - Please keep us posted.  I would also (if you haven't yet) get in contact with Stuart's brothers' families just in case this allergy is genetic.  They may want to know about the symptoms to look for just in case the brothers are allergic also.