sick doodle :( any suggestions?

[Carlos and Chloe]

 

Chloe's 16 months old and for the past month she has been suffering from some vomiting.  It started out with a severe case of vomiting and diarrhea.  We actually took her to an emergency clinic when it was late at night and she had some blood after her diarrhea.  They prescribed some medicine to stop the vomiting and gave her some antibiotics to prevent infection because of the diarrhea.  We thought it was something she ate over the week and we also discussed this with our vet who also gave her some bland diet to ease her stomach.  That seemed to help.  We had noticed that her appetite was no longer what it once was.  We had been feeding her twice a day and she would usually finish it all up once I put in the bowl.  Since this whole drama started her appetite seems lower she won't eat right away but she'll eventually eat some of it.  Our vet said it could be a sign of something or she could just be getting finicky.  Her tempermant hasn't changed.  She's still as happy and as playful as ever.

 

Over the course of the next few weeks we changed her dog food (natural balance) watched to make sure she didn't get any table scraps or other foods/objects.  She would still vomit on occasion maybe, once every 3-5 days.  We took her to our vet a couple more times since then for a checkup and they couldn't find anything wrong with her but suggested it could be a blockage.  Then this past weekend she vomited twice at my in-laws and then twice again this morning basically throwing up everything she ate the night before and this morning.  We got x-rays this time and for the most part it seemed normal.  There were no obvious objects but our vet said her stomach was full of something.  She couldn't say as to whether it was food or some foreign object because I guess it wasn't dense enough (possibly cloth-like material?)  I assume it was an object since the amount of vomit she had this morning appeared to be equal to the amount of food she ate this morning and last night but I"m not certain.

 

Now our options are to get ultrasound for a better idea of the possible obstruction.  Go for the exploratory surgery which may or may not uncover anything.  Of course if we get the ultrasound and discover it is something there and we'll have to get the surgery anyways.  Or perhaps try some pumpkin to try and flush whatever if anything is there.  I guess I'm wondering what my next step should be.  If it's been in her stomach all this time what hope would pumpkin have in flushing it out?  This entire process is become draining physically, mentally and financially.  My wife is hesitant on the surgery especially because of the cost and the fact that it might not uncover anything and that this may be a recurring problem with chloe.  I've never seen her eat any of her toys she usually shreds them to bits and I"m left cleaning up the mess but perhaps I missed something.  If she did eat something is it safe to assume this will be a recurring habit of hers or is this just a puppy phase ?

 

4/27: chloe having surgery today

4/28: chloe doing well in recovery

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Was she completely healthy before this?  Did you feed her ANYTHING out of the ordinary before vomitting started (think treats, chews, etc...)?

I have been through this with my chihuahua and it ended up being tainted treats, not an obstruction.  If I were you, I would go for the explorative surgery to rule out obstruction since the vet did see something in there.  You do not want this cycle to continue - it is viscious and causes much strain on her internal organs. 

 

 

 

[Carlos and Chloe]

Yeah, that was the hard part to figure out.  The days before her she first got sick we had spent the weekend at our in-laws.  There were also 3 kids (ages 3,4,5) running around.  Chloe may have eaten something that fell off the table from those 3 or maybe one of their toys but we just don't know.  The fact that it went away and came back without being there made me think it's something else.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would do the ultrasound first so that you have a better idea of what you are dealing with, especially since the vet said her stomach seems full. If need be then the surgery would be next. I don't think pumpkin has any role here and increased fiber may be the last thing you want if she has a partial obstruction. I don't think anyone can predict whether, if she ate something, she'll do it again.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So sorry for Chloe-I think the ultrasound would be good to know for sure. It's hard to say, but yes it will contine through puppyhood. My Chloe still snatches anything you accidentally take your eyes off of (she's 4) I couldn't count how many oys and beds she shredded!

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE SHE GOT A SQUEAKER OUT OF HTE TOY?? That would probably have shown up. Whatever you decide, I wish the best for your family, it's really hard. She sure is a cutie though.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Lisa is the barium x-ray the one that shows liquid passing through the organs (i.e. digestion system working vs. not)?  That is what Taquito had - it showed there was clearly no obstruction (I almost wish there had been one because I had nothing to go on after that).

Carlos, was the xray one that showed liquid passing through her body at different stages?  It takes quite a while....that one might be worth it (not as invasive as surgery obviously!).  If it did detect a clear blockage, you would have to go for surgery....

[Frannie & Callie]

No helpful suggestions,  but hope Chloe feels better soon!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I would see if you can get the ultrasound done so they can see exactly what is in there. I would hate for the dog to get cut open and then have a few week recovery if nothing really needs to be done surgically. If you can not afford to do both, I would do the exploratory because ultimately if there is something there you will need that anyway.

 

It sounds like something is not right.. I am so sorry.. Just let me know.

 

Best wishes,

 

Jennifer

[sammiesilas]

Wow, it seems kind of drastic too me just too offer up surgery but maybe that is the only option.  Did they try x-rays, I know you mentioned an ultrasound but I don't know maybe I am just being too conservative but I think maybe something other than surgery first. Maybe something that would move an object on through, antibiotics and what is colloidal silver? I have heard people talk about effectiveness with the holistic approach too. I would explore all my options first.

[Carlos and Chloe]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.  I'm going to talk with our vet one more time to discuss our options.  The really disappointing thing about this whole ordeal is that my wife is showing signs of regret.  She mentioned that when she thinks of chloe now she is thinking of her as a financial burden which makes me sad :(   She hasn't given me an ultimatum but her tone and language is saying 'this is it'  We've been hit hard financially recently with a lot of unexpected expenses and this just aggrevated the situation.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm so sorry that this has happened.  Can you get any help anywhere with Vet bills?  I think this just goes to show how very important Pet insurance is.  I think until this is sorted you should feed very small feeds often.  If there is something in her tummy then a big meal gulped down will all come up as there is no room for it and whatever else is there.  I really hope that this can be sorted to everyones satisfaction especially Chloe as soon as possible.

[Carlos and Chloe]

Yeah, pet insurance is what I'm looking into now and I hope that's enough to convince her that future financial hurdles would be taken care of...but then of course I have to convince her of but another 'expense'

[BG and Gavin]

I feel badly for you, your wife and Chloe.  Any chance she ate a dryer sheet?  Gavin grew out of his "oral fixation."  He still steals a sock for sport now and then, but never eats it.  I am not sure how to answer your question, but it seems to me that least intusive first makes sense.  Best luck.