Just In Case*UPDATE # 4 - Improving/Question

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Update #4 - My boy is back!  Not 100% yet but his loving, goofy self is slowly emerging.  He is still sleeping alot but has started to smile and interact with Rooney and I.  We are convinced he went into anaphylactic shock after stepping on a bee or wasp (you all were right!).  Stuart was stung once as a young puppy so here you have the first exposure, then this.  Vet thinks the next time could kill him so we are getting an Epi Pen to carry.  Stuart also went into anaphylatic shock after having Trifexis so we believe that he is allergic to some meds, we are going to have to be on lifelong alert but ANYTHING for my boy.  Finally pooed after 48 hrs - whew was that a poo I was giddy to pick up - lol.  Back to the vet tomorrow to re-check his slow heart rate - I'm betting is was the benadryl - and to re-check his paws.  Question - what is the best shoe type foot cover - I'm worried that the black top is too hot for him (maybe Rooney too).  Not sure what to use - Mutluks?  Thanks for all your advice and concern!!!

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Update #3 - Stuart was back at the Vets several things are going on.  The vet believes that Stuart was stung, is very allergic and is getting the correct dose so we will be carrying an Epi pen for the rest of Stuart's life.  I'll get the pen next week and until then - I'm so afraid it could happen again.  He is still very lethargic also believed from the Benadryl so at least for now - no walks - just out to potty and right back in.

After running several different tests on his diarrhea - that believe it is cause by a reaction to the Benadryl - so he is off of that as of now.  For his diarrhea he is on Proviable Cream and Pill.  Also on Flagyl.

The Vet is concerned as Stuart's heart rate is very low - we are hoping this is from the Benadryl but he is returning to the Vet's on Monday - I think if he had a problem it would have been caught before now so I'm trying not to worry too much about this - but still.  If it isn't down they want to do a chest x-ray and an Echo.

They couldn't find the stinger in his paw but they did give me a spray on medication - Vet dispense only called GenOne Spray.  Not our biggest problem at the moment but I'd like to see those paw pads clear up.

KAREN - Stuart is eating and keeping his food down but Doc says bland diet do to diarrhea - Stuart doesn't really eat many grains so is white rice and chicken broth going to upset his tummy? 

Dh is out of town for another 2 weeks and giving all these meds is hard by yourself, Stuart is afraid of me because I keep giving him meds or spraying his paws - he isn't the dog that I know at all, I'm worried him getting stung again and now the low heart rate.  Think I'm making a cocktail and going to have a good cry.  On the upside - WE HAVE INSURANCE!! 

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Stuart is slowly starting to come out of his fog.  He had one good poop and the last 2 were diarrhea - the last one has blood.  Needless to say Stuart is off to the Vet later today.  I am now convinced he was stung, that he stepped on it with his back left foot - that was the "fit" as I called it.  Last night I washed his feet and put anti-biotic creame between his inflamed paw pads.  He didn't want me touching that back left one - I wounder if the stinger could still be in there - I'll be having the vet check.  So QUESTION - DO THEY MAKE EPI PENS FOR DOGS?  He clearly has a bad allergy and I'm afraid the next time could kill him.    

 

Stuart has slept ALL day long.  He will wake up for me to take him potty - he pees, drinks some water, he is eating and did a normal b.m. but he is like a zombie.  No smiles, no playing, no interaction AT ALL.  I'm so hoping this is the effect of the meds which they said would make him "drowsy".  We are way past that.  If he doesn't start to pert up tomorrow - I'll be seeing the local vet.  The weirdness seems to be gone, no frantic licking - thank goodness!

 

    Rooney, Stuart and I have been having such a fun summer here in Michigan along the lake - until last evening when Stuart very suddenly became ill.  We went for one our evening walks along the bluff overlooking the lake - and Stuart just seemed "off".  Suddenly he had a little fit I guess I'd call it - not a seizure but his back leg wouldn't go down and he was twisting and jerking - then he plopped down in the grass panting and drooling and excessively, very frantically licking his feet and clawing at his head.  I tried not to panic - let him rest for a few minutes, got him back on his feet and then he had diarrhea.  We walked home with him "out of it".  Once home he wanted on my bed, bypassing an water (not normal).  

   I had brought up and given a copy of both the boys entire medical records & stopped in to introduce both doods to the Vet we used to use in Michigan - planning to never need him but just in case.  While I had been there I got their recommended 24 hour E.R. information once again for just in case.  Thank goodness I had done that because my just in case was coming into play.

   I, for the first time ever took Stuart's temp myself (yes I will be buying my bff a new thermometer), googled how to do it and what the results should be - in was 102.5 - high end of normal.  Entered the address of the E.R. into my GPS in the puppy hauler, packed vet records, and Orijen in my purse - just in case.  Once he again started with the licking and clawing off we went to the E.R. an hours drive on the highway.

   Long story but they believe he is having some kind of allergic reaction, white blood count normal, but his ALT - which I think is kidney function is high 280 when it should be 10-100.  He has to do follow up blood test in 2 weeks on this but they weren't concerned.  They gave him a shot of Diphenhydramine 50mg/ml and send me home with pills, he was also given a steroid shot - Dexamethasone.  I'm also putting Bitter Apple on his feet (2 have inflamed pads from licking).

  The moral of the story - Just In Case sometimes does come true.  This whole thing would have been way more stressful if I hadn't prepared for it.  Having a local vet lined up (who will handle follow up care), knowing where an E.R. was available, having complete vet records, and Stuart's PetPlan Insurance Info with me was invaluable.  So while we all travel about this summer plan for your Just in Case.

    What would cause this reaction?  My guess is that while at K9 Camp on Tuesday - they held a party for another camper and gave all the dogs treats.  When they told me I never thought to be concerned but as Orijen eaters who get almost no grains - could this be the cause.  Would it have taken 24 hrs to manifest symptoms.  Could he have gotten into something else?  Advice welcome.

A pitiful Stuart being enticed to eat breakfast while laying on the sofa, yes I'm pampering him - lol!

  

 

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Before reading other's responses I thought bee or insect bite. I see others thought the same.
So sorry. Hoping all is well and back to normal soon

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This sounds like when Peri licked a toad.  Really.  She had these exact symptoms, but we saw her do it, so I called the vet and they said to just ride it out.  She threw up, panted, etc...Glad Stuart is okay!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I don't think they have those toads in Michigan but maybe, I also noticed some tiny little mushrooms today on our walk - could he have snuck one when I wasn't looking?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hmmm Allyson! Good guess. My cat became really sick from brown toads. The dogs across the street foam at the mouth and vomit. Could be. Jane, we have these toads in Northern Ohio. I'm sure your Great Lakes area has them too!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'm going to ask the vet about this!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I would be willing to bet this is from an animal of some sort. My sis's chihuahua got bit by a snake once and acted the same way.  And don't worry, snake's venom doesn't have the same effect on dogs as it does on humans - he was fine :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Another thought just came to mind. I remember Stuart being sensitive to flea/tick meds.
Some of us are really sensitive to insecticide products. I become very nauseated and a heavy crossed-eyed feeling, any sometimes a tightness in my throat. It truly is strong. Even Fabreeze. That stuff that sprays you like you Stink when you walk by the dispenser---how offending. But it also has made me a little woozy sick.
Maybe he ate some grass laced with bug junk or something like this? Do you use air fresheners?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

No air fresheners here - I'm a scented candle gal - lol.  Could Stuart just have had too many new kinda stressful things going on this week.  New groomer with new products, new doggie camp with new treats, new dog park?  Could the grooming have anything to do with it?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I do believe he could have waked through something on the groun though - fertilizer?  Bug spray, weed spray?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Good reminder to always be prepared. I hope Stuart feels back to his usual self soon!

[Diana Erhart]

I am so sorry to hear about Stuart.  But glad to know that you were so prepared for an emergency!  I hope he is feeling back to his normal self soon.  My guesses have already been mentioned here (allergic reaction, sting/bite of some sort).  I had to chuckle at your picture because you know my Charlie hasn't been feeling well either and that is exactly how I tried to get him to eat last night too!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Poor Stuart. Glad you were prepared!