Show us your pets

[Little Fish]

Hey, is that what it was? I though you looked constipated so didn't say anything!

 

Can I collect the booties? This guy wants to let's go!

 

Can I collect my Bubblegummers?!

 

 

And can we have a photo of Juno with his shoes on when you get them?

[Uni]

I feel responsible..

don't!!! you're doing a lot more now for Juno then many people would - fortunately the ppl on this thread seem to be good folk regarding their fur kids. It really sucks when the vets or doctors in general get it wrong, as we trust them, but I agree gut instinct - and second opinion if you're not sure.

Glad he's on the mend now.

 

Good luck to all of you with sick dogs atm = not lekker.

[Borborygmi]

Probably best just to take him for a second opinion "Pain or shine".

 

I use cephalosporins a lot and I think most vets do without any issues and regularly used for skin infections.

 

Did you receive any antibiotic/cleansing drops for his ear infection?

 

Most important, if your dog is getting cortisone and stops eating/vomits/gastro - return to vet before administering more meds.

 

As a side note - a chronic ear infection is notoriously difficult to treat.

[deanbean]

Wow good that Juno is better Pain. Hope he doesn't have another relapse.

Wil holding thumbs that your dog gets better. Which is it.

 

[deanbean]

The dog on my eldest. She has to sit on you. Has just been kicked off my lap for stinks

Loves the fire. I started the gas heater this morning and that's where I found her.

[blondeonabike]

MEDS! I swear I've had enough of them.. I feel for you Barry and Tumbles.

 

Geez have I got a story!!

 

As some of you will know, we almost lost Juno. His illness started with an ear infection for which he was given an aggressive treatment of 40 antibiotic pills. First, I have never seen so many meds in all my life and second, this for an ear infection that the doc said was not the bad kind, but rather a discomfort for the dog. R600 in meds.

 

A week later I phoned the vet and explained that he has stopped eating and losing weight fast and worst of all, did not want to catch his pinecone!! His balance was also affected and would bark like Oscar apparently screams.

 

The doc said that it could be the ear and I should continue treatment while monitoring him. I asked about the meds and explained that for a dog who has once been treated with 5 pills for a cough, was this not too much for his system. There was no concern and my mind was put at ease knowing that this is widely used by vets.

 

Two days later the dog collapsed and the new saga started. Haemolytic anaemia was the diagnosis after extensive testing for billiary (sp) and other possibiities. Again I brought up the meds and was told that there could be "that 1%.. but highly unlikely."

 

So my guy nearly died, was administered so many pills that even I could taste them and as side affect to what I think is the cortisone, lost 3 toes!

 

Do you know what I found last week!? The ear infection antibiotic package insert.. and I quote, "There may be a positive response to a Coomb's test although haemolytic anaemia occurs less frequently." Two lines down are more symptoms that match with his state when I took him in. The doc could see that he was badly jaundiced which means his liver was not coping with this "illness".. again I quote, "Transient incteases in liver enzyme values have been reported. Hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice have occurred less frequently with some cephelosporins."

 

All the answers were in the accompanying leaflet. Had the doc known the side affects, I doubt he would have embarked on a multitude of tests from pathology to rule out a host of possibilities.

 

So what actually happened to my dog? He had an ear infection, reacted badly to the meds and instead was treated for the side effects. I follow my gut feel and my wife struggles to understand this, she kept telling me that the vet knows best and I should not even think about taking Juno off the antibiotics. This is why I eventually phoned the vet to ask about the drugs and the dog's listlessness..

 

He was ok until recently. He had a total relapse about two weeks ago. Lost all the weight he put on, started falling about like the first time and lay on his bed for 2 days without the will to move. I insisted that I would NOT take him back to the vet but instead fed him a real meat diet with plenty of fat and gave him all the love I could. He is back now with vengeance and wanting his usual "let's go!" (code for walk in the forest).

 

I have certain reservations about paying this vet, who actually phoned while I was typing this.. !! They want the rest of their money.

This makes me so cross......because it is a dog and not a "person" does not releive the doctor of his medical responsibility.......!!! It is negligence that this vet did not take into account the side effects of the medications!!!! Pay him...NO WAYS!! All the best to you guys!! Edited June 7, 2014 by blondeonabike

[GLuvsMtb]

Here is my recent vet experience. 2 sundays ago we were lounging around the house when Joey started gagging and retching. We thought that maybe he had a tummy bug or something and then his belly started expanding to about 5 times his usual circumvent. We phoned the 24hr animal hospital and explained what was happening. They said that it sounds like bloating and he needs to be admitted urgently as this is life threatening. More on bloating here: http://m.dogbreedinfo.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogbreedinfo.com%2Farticles%2Fcaninebloat.htm#2865

We rushed Joey to Panorama 24 hour Vet hospital and on arrival they had a surgeon, 2 assistants and a trolley waiting. He was examined by the surgeon and placed on a drip to stabilize his blood pressure. Once stable it was a 90minute procedure to open him up and untie his stomach. On admission they said it was 50/50. We were sent home and received regular updates on his progress. Being a 85kg Boerboel none of the ICU cages could hold him for the night, so he recovered in one of the consulting rooms.

A week at the vet and he was discharged. Here is one of him sitting on my lap during 1 of the visits

 

We bought him a slow feeder to counter his fast eating (45seconds flat on a bowl of food to about 4 minutes now). We also try to keep him and Phoebe calm after meals to prevent another occurrence of bloating.

[DJR]

.................

We bought him a slow feeder to counter his fast eating (45seconds flat on a bowl of food to about 4 minutes now). ....................

 

What a cool gadget, first time I've heard of something like that

[GLuvsMtb]

What a cool gadget, first time I've heard of something like that

bloating is quite common with dogs that have big cavities. The stomach swings like a pendulum when it is full and heavy and when they play it can do a 360 deg and essentially pinch off.

[Uni]

Monday morning check in - how's Juno, Joey, Tumbleweed and Wil 6's Husky doing? (Wil6 - what's your Husky's name - did I miss it?)

[Flowta]

Here is my recent vet experience. 2 sundays ago we were lounging around the house when Joey started gagging and retching. We thought that maybe he had a tummy bug or something and then his belly started expanding to about 5 times his usual circumvent. We phoned the 24hr animal hospital and explained what was happening. They said that it sounds like bloating and he needs to be admitted urgently as this is life threatening. More on bloating here: http://m.dogbreedinf...ebloat.htm#2865

We rushed Joey to Panorama 24 hour Vet hospital and on arrival they had a surgeon, 2 assistants and a trolley waiting. He was examined by the surgeon and placed on a drip to stabilize his blood pressure. Once stable it was a 90minute procedure to open him up and untie his stomach. On admission they said it was 50/50. We were sent home and received regular updates on his progress. Being a 85kg Boerboel none of the ICU cages could hold him for the night, so he recovered in one of the consulting rooms.

A week at the vet and he was discharged. Here is one of him sitting on my lap during 1 of the visits

 

We bought him a slow feeder to counter his fast eating (45seconds flat on a bowl of food to about 4 minutes now). We also try to keep him and Phoebe calm after meals to prevent another occurrence of bloating.

 

Glad Joeys ok, been following on Facebook.

 

Might think about getting on of those feeders for Ming. If only to slow her down and give Congo a chance to eat his food without being stared at.

[Tumbleweed]

Monday morning check in - how's Juno, Joey, Tumbleweed and Wil 6's Husky doing? (Wil6 - what's your Husky's name - did I miss it?)

 

Tumbleweed's much improved. Walking and running nicely. Needs a bath though!

[Guest EdEdEd]

Tumbleweed's much improved. Walking and running nicely. Needs a bath though!

You know its time when you suddenly think... "but I can't remember farting?"

 

Gave buksie a good scrub yesterday after washing the bakkie!

[(Deon)]

The Joon is showing signs of being his normal self again. I lost my camera so can't show his angry look (i.e. his mohawk.. funny dog, he looks so proud after he's barked at the door.)

 

As expected though, the third nail dropped this weekend. The toe is still hanging on.. holding thumbs.

[Zaskar09]

First time posting in this thread but just had to share:

 

We lost Duke this morning, he was a 16 year old Staffie, totally useless as a watchdog but much loved by all.

 

He kept us up all night, wanting to go outside every hour. We thought it was his stomach that was a bit upset (it happened occasionally). Took him to the vet early this morning as his "stomach bug" lasted longer than usual. Turns out he had a stroke and his liver failed. Had him admitted and received the call about an hour ago.

 

He will be missed.

[Tromp]

First time posting in this thread but just had to share:

 

We lost Duke this morning, he was a 16 year old Staffie, totally useless as a watchdog but much loved by all.

 

He kept us up all night, wanting to go outside every hour. We thought it was his stomach that was a bit upset (it happened occasionally). Took him to the vet early this morning as his "stomach bug" lasted longer than usual. Turns out he had a stroke and his liver failed. Had him admitted and received the call about an hour ago.

 

He will be missed.

You have just described my staffie from 10 years ago . I still miss him. I wish you well over this period.