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.

 

 

 

[Leslie and Halas]

I hope JD can come home today!  We're thinking of you.

[Megann Eichner]

Hi Karen,

I hope that you have better news today on the JD front, and that he passed a good night, and you are now able to take him home.  Thoughts and prayers for both of you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm overwhelmed by your caring and concern for my boy, thank you all so much. I'm waiting to hear when I can pick him up. I won't be speaking to the specialist until Monday, but I'm told she has typed out pages of instructions for the weekend, and I'll be talking to the attending vet. Of course, the biopsy results won't be back yet, so this will just be interim care. Apparently, he's going to be living on white meat chicken and cream of wheat for now. Hopefully he'll be hungry enough not to refuse it. His nurse said he is in good spirits and clearly wants to get out of there.

When we saw him last night, he had an eye injury which I'm concerned about. Apparently, dogs eyes' stay open when they're under anesthetic, so for long procedures, they put some kind of ointment (looked like Vaseline to me) on their eyes to keep them from getting dry. It must have irritated JD's eyes, becasue the lids were both bright red and the area under one eye is all raw, the fur was gone and it looked very sore and almost bloody. The fur around his eyes was all stuck together. I wish they had washed the stuff off after the procedure, I think it must have been bothering him and maybe he was scratching or rubbing it. I asked the on-duty doctor to clean it and treat it. This a.m., his nurse said it doesn't look too bad, but we will see. The last thing the poor guy needs is a sore eye on top of everything else right now.

Thank you all again for your good wishes and concern, I'm deeply touched.

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Chicken and Cream of Wheat, now that's an interesting combo. Hope JD likes it. JD we hope that those eyes are not bothering you too much that is not something you need right now. Please feel better.

[Rae]

Rozee and Bella have their paws crossed and we all said an extra prayer last night for Jack.  We are sending love and healing thoughts to both of you.  We totally understand how impossible it is to not have your baby home with you.  Please keep us updated (as I'm sure you will).  Hugs and Paw Prints!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I wonder why they wouldn't tape the eyes shut. Anyway I would think the eye area injury is the least of it. Well, I suppose nothing could be blander then chicken and cream of wheat, I'm betting JD will love it. Things tend to be tasty when that's all there is : ) Good spirits and eager to go, that's what we want to hear. Ready for home, family and getting ready for the holidays. Hmmm, cream of wheat latkes, may become a new holiday treat. Baked only of course. I'm trying to get you to smile Karen, but I suspect only having Jack home will do the trick. sounds like you like the specialist and that's she's caring, just what you need.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh, he is going to be SO excited to see his mom today!  Glad he had a good night (other than the eye thing) !

Hoping the Ultimate Carnivore will not snub the Cream of Wheat! This may be a new dietary beginning for Jack!  Open up a whole new world for him! LOL!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I just hope he's going to be strong enough to play ball!  Karen, you must be totally exhausted...maybe you and JD could take a nice nap together later. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm happy for both of you that you can bring him home today. Hoping to hear that he has discovered chicken and cream of wheat is even better than lima beans! Praying the vet has the perfect treatment plan to bring Jack to a full recovery. Much love to you both.

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm glad he gets to come home today. He and you will both love that.  Maybe he'll realize that he really needs to follow the doctors orders and eat that chicken and cream of wheat.  I hope the eye gets better quickly.  He'll probably still be worn out, so maybe he won't bother it much.  Looking forward to some solid answers on Monday.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Good to now you are getting him home but concerning about his eyes.  Do you think they shaved off the hair?  I can't figure out how the area around the eyes is so raw and in such a short period of time.  Also what is cream of wheat?  Is it like porridge with wheat instead of oats (that's what I'm guessing)  No need to reply as  know you are up to your eyes with all this worry.  Hoping for a peaceful and uneventful week end and some good news on 
Monday. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I very much doubt they shaved around JD's eyes. And yes, cream of wheat is a very finely ground cereal which is prepared hot like a porridge, a word not used much in the US.