Whopper is having the ultimate bad day...

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi all...today has not been a very good day. This morning when I woke up Whopper was cuddled right next to me and I thought this was the start of a great day. After cuddling for a while, Whopper started to dry heave. She clearly tried to get something out a couple of times and nothing came out. She then settled back down on the bed and was giving lots of kisses. A little while later, more dry heaving and I quickly ushered Whopper out to our patio in case she was able to get anything up. Still nothing! Back to our bed Whopper went. My husband tried giving her a little water but she refused to drink anything. We also chose not to feed her until she was feeling better. A little more time passes and Whopper starts dry heaving again...for 5 minutes she's struggling and only once does a little acid come out. We call the vet as she is very uncomfortable. We get to the vet within 45 minutes after Whopper pooped. We were relieved that she pooped before we left. In the waiting area Whopper was acting totally out of character and barking very excessively at all of the other dogs. I chalked this up to her just be very anxious and uncomfortable. Anyway, at the vet her temperature was slightly elevated and because of how deep her chest is and how high up her stomach is, the vet was a little concerned that the dry heaving may be an early sign of bloat and that an x-ray would be necessary. We waited back in the waiting room for probably 15 minutes before walking back into the exam room. The vet said I've got good news and bad news...the good news was it isn't bloat, the bad news is that Whopper swallowed a brillo pad that is now stuck in her stomach and intestines and wasn't going to clear through. So...Whopper is currently in emergency surgery and will be at the vet at least until Monday. I am desperately trying to keep busy as I wait for the vet to call us to tell us that the surgery went well and is over. I know this is long but I guess the moral of this post is that we all know our dogs pretty well. Probably 9 out of ten times Whopper will throw up and I won't even call the vet. Today we just sensed it was something more and are very lucky we did. Always trust your instincts! We are very fortunate because a few months back I finally decided to buy pet insurance. When the vet showed us an estimate ranging from $1750 - $2260 we knew that pet insurance prevented me from heading to an ER myself. Anyway, please send good thoughts and well wishes Whopper's way because she will definitely need all of her friends helping her through this recovery!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

LIndsey - OMG - I am so sorry for all of you!! TG you know Whopper sp well!! I hope that the news is wonderful tomorrow and she gets to come home tomorrow. Please keep us posted!!!
A

[Holly St Pierre]

Thinking of you & your baby. Hoping for a speedy recovery

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Thanks for all the well wishes...we heard from the vet in the late afternoon and her surgery went well. They said that we were fortunate in that the huge piece was stuck in her stomach. They said it was very big and sticky so took a lot of effort to get it detached from the stomach lining. We were fortunate in that the piece was too big to enter her intestines which is where it could have done pretty severe damage and required an even more intrusive surgery. There may still be a little in her colon but they think she will pass that on her own. We now just have to wait until our next update tomorrow morning. This is the first night Whopper has ever been without one of us and she's not real fond of crates so I hope they have given her lots of morphine!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Oh dear, I hope Whopper feels better soon!

[Dana]

How scary - I'm so sorry you, Lee & Whooper had to go through this. Wishing your sweet little Whopper a very speedy recovery.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Oh my, what a day you guys have had. Best wishes for good news from the vet and a speedy recovery for Whopper!

[L.M.]

Poor Whopper!!! Best wishes for a quick recovery and lots of kisses from her friend Seamus!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I am so sorry to hear about Whopper's misfortune. Hope every thing turns out ok and Whopper is back with you Monday.