Health concerns over our dog causes major fights!!!

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

 We decided to get a goldendoodle and a labradoodle 3 years ago.  We have never experienced anything like we have with our goldendoodle, Molly.   The girls get along wonderfully, and Nestle our labradoodle is the epitome of good health and personality.   Our goldendoodle, Molly, is an angel but  has caused us years of worry, anxiety, and thousands of dollars.  She vomits yellow bile every morning or evening when she doesn't eat because she might go for two or more days without eating.   I even have medication I give when she starts her vomiting binges.  She has had stomach surgery, been on tons of meds and antibiotics, placed on all kinds of food formulas (always using only the very best hypoallergetic formulas) and I have tried cooking her foods as well.   She has been tested over and over again.  I brought her into the vet this past week because she is just not herself and again not eating even a tablespoon of food every couple of days.  The vet said her burping is not normal but gastric reflux which she will get medicine for as soon as we get her bladder infection healed.   I placed her on probiotics several years ago and this seemed to help her upset stomach some. The vet thinks we might need to take her to a specialty vet who treats gastrointestinal maladies/diseases.   I cannot tell you how many times she has vomited in our bed since they sleep with us and the story goes on and on.  We love her dearly and she is an extremely friendly and sweet dog, but she has been the cause of many an argument.  My husband said we could have bought a kennel for all the money we have spent trying to get her well.  Molly also has allergy issues.  I called the breeder when we first got her and discussed her eating issues and vomiting bile.  I even kept her on the dry food she was on originally on that the breeder recommended. Again, I called when we had her tested and she underwent surgery only 6 months after I got her.  We have spent a fortune on vet bills as I know a lot of you have as well who have pet health issues.  My vet said it is impossible to prove genetic hereditary issues with dogs, but he agrees that she was definitely born with some health issues.....they were not brought about from the environment.  I finally asked the breeder for a refund or partial payment of the medical expenses we have incurred.  I feel justified since I have been dealing with this for 3 years.  I also am concerned that she will not live as long as all my other dogs have because she is always getting sick.  I live at the vets on a regular basis...the first thing out of everybody's mouth there is "How is Molly doing?"  She is a regular visitor.     Would like your opinion.  Molly is currently eating Evo with some venison can food in it.   I have switched her from Evo chicken/turkey to beef and it hasn't made any difference in her appetite.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lizette, I am so sorry you have been going through all of this with Molly. I know we have had many discussions and even a few laughs in the Food Group over Molly's picky eating habits, but this sounds like more than a fussy eater.

I would definitely take her to a specialist. I know that when I was struggling with Jack's health issues, just putting him in the hands of a specialist and getting a definite diagnosis and treatment plan alleviated half of the worries and stress, and all of the guesswork. No more wondering, questioning yourself, etc.

I could try giving you some ideas about foods that would tempt her to eat, as I'm sure others here will do, but the underlying problem will not be solved, and I'm afraid it would only be a temporary fix and the cycle will continue. Let your vet refer you to a veterinary GI specialist, I really believe that is the best thing you can do for Molly and for yourself.

Hugs to you both.

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

Thanks Karen...I started Molly and Nestle on the supplements.....she still scratches some but it is the food issue I am struggling with.  I tried this morning to give her a cooked egg....you would have thought I was trying to force something nasty on her.  I am going to research GI dog specialist and see if I can find a good one close by.  Love and kisses fr the Tx girls

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm so sorry Molly's condition is causing discord in your family. Hoping that a specialist can get a consistent treatment plan to alleviate some of the stress on you and DH. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so sorry to hear of Molly's on-going problems.  I peeked at her picture and by looking at her one would never know she had a care in the world.  What a sweet dog.  I hope going to a specialist will lead you to a definite diagnosis and treatment plan. Just know that all of us on dk lend our support.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh, this is a tough situation-been there! And besides the financial stress there is the added stress of seeing your poor pup ill and not feeling well every day and not being able to help them!! UGH!!!  I'm so sorry for all of you!

As well as the suggestion of consulting with a specialist I would also suggest consulting with a Holistic Vet. Here is why:

My DH's daughter's dog had horrible digestive issues as a pup. She was grossly underweight because she was either vomiting, had diarrhea or wouldn't eat. Daughter spend many $ trying to get to the bottom of things. Someone suggested she consult with a Holistic Vet. That vet diagnosed a reaction to vaccines and treated for such with excellent results. I am told that a vaccine reaction can also result in allergic responses in dogs as vaccines affect their immune systems and sometimes not in a good way. I don't know if this is Molly's issue or not but it might be worth looking in to.

[Phyllis & Duffy]

I'm sorry to read about Molly.  I live in Houston.  Our Duffy was very sick in January with an auto immune.  The vet recommended we take him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists.  They are amazing vets over there.  They saved his life.  It was expensive, but I can tell from your post that you want to do whatever for Molly.  Gulf Coast  Hospital is on the north side of Loop 610 between Post Oak and Memorial/Woodway.  It is worth the drive in from Conroe.  From Conroe, you'd probably need to make a U-turn at Post Oak and come back around.  They have a face book page too. Go check them out.  Duffy was in their ICU for days, they have 24/7 care there.  I'm sure they will find out what is wrong with her.

 

Good luck and I'll log on again to see how Molly is doing. If you do go, tell them Duffy sent you!  They know us.  Duffy was their dog of the month for March.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I have no advice, but see that you have some good listed below.  Just wanted to let you know that we will be thinking of you and hoping that the specialist can come up with something to make Molly feel better.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I really have no words of advice that are not already here and I do hope you manage to get to a specialist who is able to answer what exactly is wrong with Molly and put in train some treatment plan.  I just want to say that I feel for you in this awful situation.  I once took a rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that had serious health issues that I didn't know about and by the time I got her to the specialist it was too late to do anything.  She had severe liver disease and nothing could be done.  I spent a fortune trying my best to deal with her illness but it was many years ago and veterinary medicine was definitely not as advanced as it is now.  I wish you the very best with Molly and will watch for updates on her progress.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear about Molly and I agree a specialist sounds like a good course of action/ What kind of surgery did she have and what was the diagnosis?

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever suggested that she take Pepcid or anything like that. Our daughter's boxer Lexi use to have to take one every day because of her sensitive stomach. She did much better once they started giving to her.

[Dori & Rua]

So sorry you are having so many issues with Molly and that is too bad it is causing some friction in your home.  That sounds like the last thing you need.  We'll keep Molly and your family in our prayers as you go through this.

[Phyllis & Duffy]

Duffy was on all kinds of drugs when we took him  home.  One of the drugs was Prednisone and he needed to take an acid reducer with it.  I bought the generic brand at Walgreens - Omeprazole.  It was to keep him from vomiting and he never did.   I'd ask the vet first though before trying it.  He's off all the drugs but the Prednisone.  He's on a much lower dosage and no longer needs the acid reducer.  I