Infection, disease and allergies? Crying...help!

[Emily]

My doodle is a mess. 104 fever. Diagnosed with left side hip displasia, allergies, and a infection around her urethera. Just had xrays under general anesthesia, three medications, a joint suplemnent for her pain, a consult with a orthopedic vet this week with possible surgery. Vet said to discontinue Taste of the Wild immediatley and switch to a brand that is 80$ a bag! (CA Natural). My dog hasn't moved in three days and wont evenplay ball. That is how bad she is hurting. I want to cry. She is only one yr old! $600 vet bill. Plus lifetime monthly medication for almost a hundred a month plus that special food? Please, start throwing out opinions... I need some hope.

[Emily]

Thank you...such a cute doodle you have!  We are seeing the orthopedic surgeon on Friday.. AND Mabel got up and greeted the kids at the door..then went to lay down...That's the first time in days she's gotten up.. Meds are working.. Yeah!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Emily, I am so very sorry you are facing these challenges but will pray that Mable will get a correct, detailed diagnosis for each condition with workable treatment plans. I will also pray for your peace and ability to rise to this difficult situation with your precious girl.

[Emily]

That is exactly what I need, thank you!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Dear Emily, I can't offer you any more advice but I see you are getting plenty of that.

What I can offer are my prayers and hopes. Know that I have joined those ranks.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

No advice.  Just my thoughts and good wishes.  She is lucky to have  you as you are to have her.  Stay with us here.  We are mighty little group of dog owners who love our people too

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

It looks like you have lots of support and good information here but I would like to add my opinion as a breeder.  It is so important that you figure out who your breeder is.  Not only for some possible reimbursement for your expenses but because she needs to know that she bred a dog with these problems.  She may even be able to share some ideas that would help you.  Surely yours is not the only one that is having medical issues.  Breeders get a lot of flack but we can't improve our programs without information from new families.  I try to keep in touch with all of my families by sending out a twice yearly email.  I highly encourage people to let me know if there are any problems at all, coat, skin, behavior issues anything. You may be able to figure out who it is by remembering the city where you got your doodle.  Someone here on DK should know who the breeder is.  What she a long time breeder or a one litter person?  A one litter person would probably be difficult to find .

If you can stand the added expense, I would try a second opinion.  The most expensive route is not always the best.  I'm so sorry you and your doodle are having such a terrible time.  Please keep us up to date. 

[Emily]

Thank you! The woman we bought our doodle from was not a "professional breeder"
 She was on her 4th or 5th litter so she was just getting into the business. She had all the puppies there, the parents, and many references. We felt good about it.

I called two places and left a message (because they were not home).  Even if they won't do anything, they still need to know. It was west of Philadelphia and 1- 2 hours south of Wilkes Barre, PA.

[Judy & Cooper]

HI Emily, I don't have much to offer either, except..hang in there!  My first doodle had allergies, and I read through a lot of reponses, but as soon as I put him on a grain free food, everything cleared up, guess I was lucky. I also had a dog a while ago who had hip problems. and I wish I could remember the name of the stuff..someone will, I"m sure, but I would give her a shot....in the hind area...I don't even know how often I did it, but it's the same thing they use for horses....and it really helped her hips....what what it called?? crs......

[Emily]

That is interesting...I have a friend who has a few horses....I'll ask her. Thanks for the tip.

[Emily]

You made me laugh! After hip surgery he blew out his knee? I know that's not funny but I found the humor because it's such a silly thing to happen and so tramatic after such a huge deal with hip surgery! You must have been bonkers! It never ends does it! :)  It just sounds like my life...we are always the one in 500 pregnancies, one in three kids,  1 in anything..WE ARE ALWAYS THAT ONE!   No, he wasn't planning to go to the Orthopedic Dr with me, but that is a wonderful idea. I just didn't even think to ask him but now I'm going to. Mabel actually brought me a tennis ball today so the antibiotics are working and she's feeling much better. I was so happy to see that. Right now I just can't get her to take the medicine. She's SMART and is sorting through the cheese, brisket, chicken or hotdogs to spit out the tablets! With all your surgeries, I'm sure you have some advice on how to get those tablets down? I don't want to shove them down her throat.

[Pat and Traveler]

Emily, glad to hear Mabel is doing a bit better.  I give Trav a Comfortis tablet once a month, and the only way I can do it is to shove it down his throat.  There is nothing that can hide the scent of this stuff from him, and he simply won't take it on his own.  I've tried grinding it up and putting it in pill pockets--nope.  There are videos online about how to do this...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Count me among those who has to shove the pills down the dog's throat. JD learned long ago how to sniff out a pill hidden in food, even in liverwurst. Since he's now taking 11 separate pills and/or half pills daily, some of them big horse capsules, there's no way to get them into hime except to put them in the back of his throat and hold his mouth closed until he swallows. Even then, an occasional pill makes it way out of that loose part at the side of his mouth. I keep a chuck of boiled chicken in sniffing distance, so he's motivated to get the pills down quickly and get his reward.