Poor little Hudson

[Kristin & Hudson]

My DH had to rush Hudson to the vet today because he was drooling, lethargic, and swaying.  We think he ingested something toxic.  Apparently my landlord put fertilizer down the day we brought Hudson home and didn't tell us!!!!!  I am so angry right now.  He told us he put weed killer down on the concrete to prevent the weeds from growing in the cracks but NEVER mentioned the fertilizer on the lawn!!  When we called to ask him if he put anything on the grass he said he put the fertilizer down but didn't realize it was toxic.  I thought everybody knew that, but I guess not!  The funny thing is that in the six years we have lived here he has never used fertilizer.  I don't know what possessed him to do it now!!!! 

 

Hudson is at the vet now. :( He didn't have a temperature and his coloring was good but the blood work showed that he had elevated nitrogen levels in his blood.  I think they were going to give him charcoal.  They have him on an IV now too.  The vet said the nitrogen is probably from the fertilizer but they did call the poison control center.  She also mentioned another possible cause of elevated nitrogen called a liver shunt.  But I looked that up and that seems to affect the smaller breeds and he hasn't been displaying any of the other symptoms.  He was also one of the larger pups from his litter and not the runt.  So hopefully it is just the chemicals that are causing this.  The vet said he should be fine from this.  I hope so!!!!  I would hate for him to have any permanent damage from this.  I've only had him 5 days and he's only 9 weeks old, poor little guy.

 

So now we are desperately trying to get rid of the fertilizer on the lawn.  We are watering it now but the company said it will take 3 weeks to fully get rid of it.  Where is Hudson going to go potty now???

 

While I'm typing this the vet just called and said he is doing better.  We have to go pick him up at 7:30 and at that time she will have a better idea if he needs to stay at an emergency hospital overnight.  Fingers crossed for the little guy.  

 

Sorry for the long post, but did anyone else experience anything similar and how is your dog now?

 

Thank you for any advice you guys have.

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

So glad Hudson is on the mend.  Keep us posted!

 

In a way, some good may come out of this post - it reminds us to all be very careful with what we use on our yards.  We just bought a home and DH was talking about fertilizer and weed killers and I said I would rather just pull everything out myself. May take a loooong time :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Pouring vinegar on some of the weeds is another safe way to eliminate them. Larger areas you want to clear can be covered in plastic sheeting or newspapers til the weeds suffocate. There are lots of safe ways to eliminate decrease the number of weeds.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks F.  I need to join the gardening group now!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes please do!

[Pat and Traveler]

So glad to hear the little guy is doing better!  What a horrible experience.  Scary at any time, but terrifying with such a new baby.  Traveler sends lots of doggie kisses, and wishes he could play with Hudson.  Me too.  :)

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

What if you bought a piece of sod and put it next to your lawn on your driveway or somewhere close?  Then he will get used to going on the grass and when its safe you can take him back.  I am not sure if they even sell sod this time of year but I was wracking my brain trying to think of something for you.  Is it to early in the season for you to start mowing?  Maybe you could mow basically down to the dirt and put the sod over it? 

I hope the landlord at least feels guilty about it....!!!  How scary for you guys and poor little Hudson.  Keep us posted!!