Scary Morning with Oscar

Oscar is usually a real chow hound, but this morning while eating his breakfast, he threw up everything he'd just eaten and was totally disinterested in trying to finish. This is the 2nd time in his life he hasn't finished a meal. The first time he ended up having an intestinal blockage. That time, however, he didn't just throw up his meal, but a whole lot more and the frequency was every 10 minutes.

Oscar's energy level is normal, he's pooped on his regular schedule and everything else has been absolutely normal. Its Sunday, so his regular vet's office is closed. I took the first available appt. at 5pm today at a VCA pet hospital 15 minutes away. I'm not taking chances with this.

The only other thing (besides an intestinal blockage) that this may be is a reaction to the 60 mg. of fexofenadine I started him on this past week for his itching. His last dose was 20 hrs ago and it seems improbable that he's having a reaction to it now, but its possible I guess. He didn't have any inappetence or nausea until today and he's been getting fexofenadine since last Sunday or Monday (I've forgotten now when we started it).

Am I overreacting? I'm just going with my gut knowing Oscar and his ferocious appetite, and his history of eating things he shouldn't. And this being Sunday, I'm afraid to wait until dinner time to find out we need to make an emergency run.

Yesterday I did several loads of laundry and Oscar never had access to the laundry room. Still, I wonder if something may have dropped onto the floor on the way to the laundry room. I am so conscious of that possibiity I'm constantly looking behind me as I take dirty clothes from place to place, but I know accidents happen and I can't discount it.

I'll keep you all up-to-date once we see the vet. Thanks for your support.

Update: We were able to get in to see the vet 30 min. early. X-rays showed a mass of something non metallic, probably fabric. They've sent the X-rays off to a radiologist to confirm and should hear back shortly. In the meantime, Oscar is getting fluids and is being kept comfortable. If the diagnosis is confirmed, we'll be heading to Dove Lewis Emergency Pet Hospital downtown for an endoscopy procedure. The good news in all of this is the mass appears to be in the stomach and not the intestine, so surgery is unlikely. This is all dependent on the radiologist's confirmation, of course. Will keep you all updated as I learn more. Thank you, everyone, for your positive thoughts and wishes!

UPDATE:

Sorry its taken me a while to get back with the latest, but I wanted to wait until I actually had some news. Last night we ended up going to the ER vet downtown and they looked Oscar's X-Rays over and everyone who saw the films thought he had food in his stomach, not a foreign mass. So they kept him overnight with the plan to give him another set of X-Rays in the morning to check to see if the "food" moved into the small intestine. They called this morning saying it appeared the food had moved, and then they followed with an ultra sound. They said everything looks good. No blockages. Next, they're going to give Oscar a food trial, which should be at noon today, to see if he keeps it down. If he does they'll give him the go ahead to go home.

I can't tell you just how scared I am over this whole thing, after what Ellie went through last November after losing Lucy. This is her story:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

But, what can you do? This ER hospital is one of the best in the state and both Lucy and Oscar have had emergency care there, with excellent outcomes. I wasn't always happy with what they did as opposed to what I thought they should do and it turned out, in the end, they were right in their diagnosis and treatment. So, I've just got to trust them and try to be comfortable with it. I've got to stop worrying about what might happen a week from now.

I'll update again later. Thanks everyone again, for all your support. I so appreciate it! I'm so thankful to have this group and DoodleKisses here, especially for times like this when I need it.

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Permalink Reply by Bonnie and Kona on January 11, 2015 at 6:34pm

I am sooooo glad that you took Oscar to the ER! Phew! I know he will be well cared for. You are the best mom a doodle could hope for! xo

Permalink Reply by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on January 11, 2015 at 7:10pm

I am sending wishes for the best possible outcome for this with the easiest recovery for Oscar.

Permalink Reply by Bev and Tess on January 11, 2015 at 7:33pm

Poor Oscar! He has gone an done it again.....that little rascal!!!! Hope everything goes well Debb and he is feeling better soon.

Permalink Reply by Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau on January 11, 2015 at 7:54pm

That little stinker! A very good think you are so observant and caught this when you did! Good Doodle Mama for sure!

Hopefully he will be home and feeling himself quickly.

Permalink Reply by Ricki and Tara (doodle) on January 12, 2015 at 8:42am

Hoping for a fast recovery for Oscar and that he is back home with you soon.

Permalink Reply by Bonnie and Kona on January 12, 2015 at 9:19am

Hoping to hear Oscar is doing well today. Thinking of you both this morning. Please update when you can, Debb.

Permalink Reply by Debb, Lucy & Oscar on January 12, 2015 at 12:11pm

UPDATE:

I can't tell you just how scared I am over this whole thing, after what Ellie went through last November after losing Lucy. This is her story:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

I'll update again later. Thanks everyone again, for all your support. I so appreciate it! I'm so thankful to have this group and DoodleKisses here, especially for times like this when I need it.

Permalink Reply by Bonnie and Kona on January 12, 2015 at 12:52pm

Debb, I remember the story about Lucy so well. I am sure you have been worried sick over poor Oscar. I hope all is well and he recovers completely from his upset. Praying there is no foreign object in him. Period. doodlekisses from Kona and Owen and hugs from me

Permalink Reply by Ricki and Tara (doodle) on January 12, 2015 at 1:40pm

Yes, I too remember poor Lucy's story and if I had a chow hound doodle like Oscar I would do exactly as you did. There's just no way to know....and things can happen so fast. Thanks for the update and we're hoping that in your next one you'll tell us he is home!

Permalink Reply by Debb, Lucy & Oscar on January 12, 2015 at 2:27pm

UPDATE version 3:

I just got off the phone with the ER hospital. Oscar is turning his nose up at food and not eating anything that's presented to him. The ultra sound that was done earlier today showed nothing in the intestine, but it was not definitive on anything that may still be in the stomach. I was given 2 options: To bring his own food to the hospital and see if he would eat that, and if so, see if he kept it down, or have them go ahead with the endoscopy. I chose the first option, since maybe, just maybe, Oscar isn't wanting to eat because he's in a hospital setting. Very doubtful, since there is nothing he loves more than eating (playing fetch is a close second). I need to be there anyway regardless, so we might as well try his own food. Will know more later.

Scary Morning with Oscar

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