How much nutrition do they need?

[Jennifer and Jack]

As you guys most likely know by now, Jack's cortisol and thyroid level came back abnormally low. His bowel loops are also enlarged. He has had a decreased appetite, not just being picky. I am offering him his never fail food and we are failing miserably.

 

I have tried hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, turkey, chicken, cheese, Treats that are his favorite, Once in a great while I can get him to take a mouthful of food.

 

He is drinking a little water here and there but not much. He is mostly just so listless.... Once in a while he gets up and tries to play or something but only lasts less then a minute, then he flops down.

 

We don't go back to the specialist until Tuesday...

 

When do I need to be concerned such as it is an emergency back to the vet with his eating and drinking.. I have not seen him urinate since yesterday.. and last night he had diarrhea which I am assuming is from the few bites of food he had.

 

He won't drink chicken broth. either.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Right now I would be most worried about the hydration.  I do remember when Murph was so sick last Fall and he wasn't eating or drinking, the one thing he seemed to really enjoy was a popsicle.  I bought the fruit juice ones...orange I think.  That's actually the one thing I could get into him during the few days that he was running the high fever.  There is no real nutritional value, but it did maintain his hydration.  If you're really concerned you may want to talk to the regular Vet to see if they might just want him to come in for those subcutaneous fluids.  So sorry, Jennifer....I know how difficult this is for you.

[Sally, Echo and Emmi]

Jack sounds like he is very possibly dehydrated so for me that would mean an immediate trip back to the vet. Keep us posted!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Great Idea, our regular vet is still open we are headed in!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree that keeping him hydrated is important, any way you can. The frozen juice bars or even plain ice are a good idea.

I would be afraid to give advice on his nutritional needs, though, in terms of how much and what he needs. His health problems are outside my scope of knowledge. I think that if you offer him healthy foods that you know have agreed with him in the past, that's about the best you can do. It's pretty common for dogs not to have an appetite when they're ill, just like people. Even after a spay surgery, I've had dogs go several days without eating, with no lasting effects. So try not to worry that he isn't getting enough nutrition, just keep making food available to him. Good luck.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you so much for the great ideas. Jane, I didn't think of my regular vet for a Saturday but I brought him in, it was not our normal vet.. Jack was pretty dehydrated his mucus membranes were very dry and he had a rapid heart rate. They gave him Sub Q IV fluids. He is so lumpy, but they said he will absorb it as the day goes on

 

If he does not start drinking tonight or in the morning, we are to go to the emergency vet for more fluids. She said I can give him some chicken broth normal kind, not low sodium because he needs the salt.

 

They gave him an appetite stimulant called Mirrazapine. I am not giving it to him... His intestines are enlarged and I think Jack knows he should not eat.... I questioned the vet about making his appetite increased when he clearly has an unknown intestinal problem... she really didn't have an answer, she was tired and the place was packed.

 

Jack is clearly without a doubt deteriorating each day. I was really hoping that when I went today they were going to say he is not dehydrated and that I was just being OCD.. I keep waiting for them to tell me I am overreacting.. but they don't.

 

Even when we were there, Jack has an obsession with kittens, in the waiting room there was several kittens for adoption in a huge cage.. Jack normally would have gone ape trying to get to them and I mean ape.. screaming whining and acting out.. He barely lifted his head off my shoulder...

 

He is sleeping again... I am trying to steady myself because this is going to be a long week. I have a feeling we will be back at the emergency vet for fluids first thing in the morning... The thing that is stressing me, is I know with Addison's if they don't treat it, you go into Addison's crisis and you crap out fast.... It happens to me often....They don't want to treat it until Tuesday because being on Steroids will mess up the final test they want to do... I have to watch him closely, if he keeps circling the drain we are going to go in to the ER Vet now and have the blood work drawn now and then give him the steroids.. I don't know if they will do that but I am not about to watch my dog crap out because it is a Holiday weekend.

 

Anyway, this is way more information then belongs in the food section. Sorry....

 

I can give him Pedialyte also but she didn't think he would drink it.

 

I am going to try Ice pops too....

 

Thanks so much..

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Jennifer, I just saw your update on Jack. Wow..this is a scary time! I agree that you watch him closely so as not to allow him to get to the crisis point. It certainly helps that you have knowledge of this illness that can be used for his benefit.  Sometimes the vets get too busy and let things slide. You're doing a great job with his care Jennifer! Keep us posted when you can!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks so much, I went through living hell before I was treated properly for my Addison's disease.. I was misdiagnosed with everything under the sun.

 

I talked to the ER Vet and they suggested he be admitted for the weekend for fluid hydration and other lab tests as needed. I declined admission for him because with Addison's disease, the one thing you need to avoid more then anything is stress. ( that goes for me too!!!) Jack being kept in a crate with a bunch of other sick dogs that ares screaming is the worst possible thing for him.

 

I did get him to drink some and he actually took in some food....He absorbed all the fluid they injected under his skin already... I am watching him closely, He was a bit perky for a few minutes but is passed out again.

 

His specialist is on call this weekend so if I do bring him in to the vet, they will be able to contact her if needed.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I don't really have any words of wisdom or indeed comfort here but just to say I am thinking of you and praying hard.

[Ozzy Bob and Leanna]

I'm so sorry Jennifer.  I know you must be worried sick!  Wish I knew what to tell you to do.   

Hugs and Prayers! 

Leanna & Ozzy