An Update On JD For All of Our Wonderful Friends

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

By rights, this should go in the Health and Medical Issues Group, if anywhere. I hate posting a discussion in the general forum about sicknesses and problems, and I'm not looking for advice, but the response to my posts in the Food Group, the PMs and requests for updates from our friends here on DK has been so overwhelming, I thought I would just do it this way. Blog approval takes too long, and I'm really exhausted both physically and mentally. If there is one good thing that has come out of JD's illness, it's that I am blown away by the genuine caring and concern that our friends here have for him. Moved to tears, in fact.

Anyway, in a nutshell, JD has been ill for almost three weeks now. Started with lack of appetite, progressed to his not being able to keep his food down after his appetite returned. No fever, no diarrhea, no behavioral changes.

He does not ever, ever eat anything he shouldn't, and he is never unsupervised for one minute.

Food is not moving normally through his digestive tract, regardless of what kind, including homecooked and dehydrated raw. The food comes back up looking pretty much the way it did when it went in, even after more than 4 hours. No retching or heaving, either. Drinking water can set it off. He can hold down plain cooked poultry or beef with rice as long as he gets very small amounts at a time. THIS IS NOT A FOOD ISSUE.

He has lost over 5% of his body weight in the past two weeks.

He is not (and has never been) lethargic, his behavior is normal, he wants to play, and his appetite is ravenous.

We've been to the vet 4 times in the past two weeks, costs are past $1800. Numerous X-rays have been done, full blood chemistry panels, stool specimens, an ultrasound, and now a barium swallow. The latter is the only thing that showed anything, and the Xrays have been sent out to the radiologist for opinions on what it might be and whether an endoscopy is next on the list.  

We have ruled out pancreatitis, parasites, infections or viruses, liver issues, kidney issues, any kind of obstruction or blockage, and (ThankYouGod) megaesophagus.  

It does appear that the problem is with the upper part of the GI tract, probably esophageal, and the food is not moving through the digestive tract as rapidly as it should, again regardless of what kind or form we try. 

(The Xrays also showed that JD has osteoarthritis in his lower lumbar spine. This of course has nothing to do with the digestive issues, it's just more unhappy news I didn't need right now.)

JD is on three different meds now to help him keep the food down and prevent further irritation, and is to be fed 1 cup of cooked meat/chicken and rice 4x/day, while we wait for more answers.

Anyway, that's where we're at right now. Again, this is just an update to our friends who have expressed concern, we are doing everything we can. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every single person who has asked about him, both privately and publicly, because it's honestly what's helping us get through this. Hugs to you all.

 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Bonnie!

 

[Paul & Michele]

Hugs & good wishes to you and Jack from Molly & Bailee and the whole family.  I know how hard this must be for you right now.  We hope he is feeling better really soon.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Paul & Michele!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Once you write down the times you will find it much easier to follow. Like a Med Sheet nurses use. Although now everything is computerized and it tells you when to give meds. But still the meal times are so frequent it's hard I'm sure. It will be much easier to do when he's down to 3 meals a day. Does the med work best with an empty stomach or is it meant to help digest food already in the tummy?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's sucralfate, which is meant to coat the digestive tract, it's basically for ulcers, I think. I also think it interferes with absorption/digestion, and is supposed to be given on any empty stomach.

But I am losing half the medication in the tube and the syringe. It really just doesn't emulsify well with the water, no matter what I try. Later, you find little waxy bits of it on the counters, too. I really think I'm going to have to spring for the name-brand liquid, it will only be one week's worth by the time I can get it, and hey, what's another $50 when you're already in this deep, lol!

I just pray he doesn't have to be on this stuff forever.

The two other meds (Famotidine and Prilosec, for nausea and acid, I think) can't be given within two hours either way of the sucralfate, but they can be given together.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Interesting and I can see the scheduling dilema! And ofcourse you are correct about all three meds purposes.

Not likely you'd put something down JD's throat without having done your homework ! Did you by chance ask if there is a human form of sucralfate that they can give you a script for and you take to local pharmacy or if it comes it tablet form. Can you flush the tube and syringe with water after administering it to get the residue out and into him? Or even followed by a syringe full of diluted broth to take away the taste so he doesn't balk so much with each dose? Just trying to think of what I might try

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The liquid form is the human brand-name version. The tablets he's getting are the generic version, it is a human med. Can't do the broth with the meds.

I can do $7 a day for one drug for a limited time, which is what it costs. If it's going to be a long term thing, I'm going to have to figure out something else. $2555 per year just for this one drug, along with everything else including what his allergy treatments cost, is going to deplete my bank account really quick. The sad thing is that we don't even know for sure if he has an ulcer or just an irritation. Or even which of these drugs is helping or not. And who knows if he's ever going to be able to eat normally again? If not, that Orijen he used to get is going to look like a bargain food, lol!

I don't mean to be complaining, I'm just so frustrated.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Oh if you were complaining you have every right to, as this is very concerning, both emotionally and economically. That's the reality of the situation. Looks like only time will tell if it's an irritation that will mend during the treatment you're doing as once you wean off meds an ulcer will rear it's ugly head again probably sooner than later.

If collective prayers and good thoughts have any power to heal, then JD will be gobbling down his Orijen in no time with no ill consequences!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Or even his new "dark-side" home-cooked diet, lol! Thanks so much again, Sue!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I have been through a similar situation with Hondo (he had liver failure).  One thing you might check out is the prices at the various drugstores.  They actually do vary quite a bit.  Just call the pharmacy and tell them you are looking for a drug for your dog who takes human medications.  I found that the cost at one Costco was more than twice that at another Costco in the same area.  And Walmart has less expensive (I won't say cheaper) drugs.  Anyway, it is worth calling around to get the best prices.  Your vet will give you a paper script order that you can take to the best drugstore.  They tend to call in prescriptions, but that is not in your best interest.

Another thing you might check is the foods.  Hondo could not eat processed (dry) dog food and I had to cook for him.  We both got used to it.  He ate a food that is cooked veges and bulgar called Happy Dog.  I would cook up a quart or more at a time and it lasted him for several days.  He also just loved routiesserie chicken and we would give him one of these about once a week (little pieces in his food).  Meds were a problem at first but he got used to taking them.  I would put the dry pill in his mouth at the back and push it into his throat through the side of his mouth with my finger.  Then I would massage his throat to make sure it went down.

You will find that you can do whatever it takes to keep JD healthy.  My best wishes are, of course, with you as you all progress through this time of trials.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Lynda, I will happily cook for him if that's what he needs.

The problem with this pill is that it is a very large tablet that has to be broken or crushed and mixed with one TBLSP water, then injected into the dog's mouth with a syringe. The pill doesn't mix with the water, even when crushed, shaken, etc., there is still a ton of it stuck in the narrow bottom part of the syringe. :(

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'd definitely go for the liquid, Karen. All this pill chopping and mixing sounds like a total PITA.  It seems like this is all working though, and that's the best news.