Erica & Justice

[Erica and Justice]

Justice just vomited! This is a first! For starters she would not eat! She didn’t want the peanut butter with her meds – she didn’t want her chicken today she just only ate breakfast and barely wanted a snack. So I had to improvise a little and gave her medicine with a piece of salami and hamburger. I also have her milk bones because it was all she would eat! So, needless to say – this was a change from the chicken and rice with 1/3 kibble soaked in chicken broth that she’s been eating for 2 weeks! I was counting down the time until she could have her Carafate and then she vomited. This may sound gross, but I went through the vomit she did not digest the Doxy or the Azathrprine. Looks like the Pred stayed in her tummy and was digested. I wrote her vet – God, I am sure he wishes he never gave me his cell number! No reply yet. Maybe he goes to bed early. Should I give her the meds again – that I dug out that had not disolved? or should I give her Carafate to settle her tummy and try again in 2 hours for her to eat? Maybe I should post this in urgent advice…. Today has been bitter sweet. Best day with blood results – worst day physically for her!

[Cindy]

Erica, I have a shih tzu Abby … I too post on this site and everyone is so wonderful with a plethora of information. You live in the same area as I do. What vet do you go to ? You sound like me regarding texting the vet. My vet gave me her number as well and I must have texted her 20 times thus far. I am so sorry to hear about Justice not having a good day but thrilled that her PCV went up…that is awesome :-)

[Patrice]

Erica
She may have developed a stomach ulcer. Have you been using Sucralfate with her? This coats the esophagus and stomach to protect from and heal ulcers. If you are not, have the vet give you a script of this med. It really is a gooey substance that acts like an internal band aid. It must be given away from all food and meds. I used it on an overnight fast with Chance.

This could also be pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. It can be painful and cause vomiting also. Your vet would need to evaluate her if this is the case.

Right now, no food. Let her tummy rest for a bit. Offer plenty of cool water and make sure she drinks it. If she refuses water, syringe some into her cheek or try some ice chips.

You are doing a good job, try not to act frantic around her, this will upset her more. Give her some quiet time with you away from the household noise. She can go without food until you see the vet.

If things change overnight, by all means use the Urgent Advice page.
my best
patrice

[admin]

Hi Erica,
I am sorry Justice is not feeling well. I am not sure if I would dose with pred/aza again. Just try and give the next dose. Since you have given her Carafate wich is similar to Sucralfate I think Patrice is on the right track that Justice has pancreatitis. You have mentioned that she is not very lively, that could be because she is not feeling well at all. Pancreatitis is very much a side effect of prednisone so don’t blame yourself, you have been doing a great job! Going through vomit? Sounding gross? You bet, but these are the things we do! At least now you know she did not digest these medications. I would definitely try and see the vet tomorrow and confirm or exclude pancreatitis. As little food as possible and if she is getting interested in food, as lean, no fat as possible. Sorry Justice, salami is out:)

Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Erica and Justice]

Cindy,
I live in a small town called San Antonio – it is in Pasco County and I take Justice to Dr. Hart at Dade City Animal Clinic. All my dogs used to see Dr. Joyner- Maddox years ago – not sure if that is who you see for Abby.
Dr. Hart must have had 20-30 text from me already. He really is a great doctor. I don’t even think he thought I was crazy for digging through the vomit looking for what didn’t digest. After I gave her the carafate and was counting down the time before I could give her her meds again – she vomited again! He told me to just give her Pepcid. I had to crush that up and give it in a Syringe. She doesn’t want to drink, or get up and go outside. Not sure if I will be able to get these other meds in her tonight. If not, he said not to worry. I put ice chips in her water – still she doesn’t want to drink. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night. Especially with the attitude she’s giving me. Poor baby doesn’t understand I am just trying to help her. Maybe the Pepcid will work soon and she will drink on her own. I am sure she has tons of water stored in the edemas around her neck and chest. But I am of course still worried about dehydration. ****She’s drinking water on her own!**** Slight relief. Now lets see if she will go outside and use the bathroom. We got home at 3:00pm from the vet and she hasn’t gotten up since! I see her attitude when I try. My son is asleep and my husband is at work. I can’t lift and make an 80 pound dog go outside. If she has an accident in here, I will just clean it up – no biggy.
well, off to try again and settle to sleep in the living room since she won’t move into my bedroom tonight.
Goodnight all!

[Patrice]

Good job Mom. I know you can’t move her.

I had an episode with Chance just like this at 1 am in the morning. He was lying in the street (our dead end street), unable to stand up after peeing. I had to get Mark up to carry him in. That was probably the worst time for me. I felt helpless and alone.

You are not alone, we are all living this with you as you describe it. Keep talking to us.
my best
patrice

[Erica and Justice]

It’s 2:30 am. She has thrown up everything. 1:30 she vomited everything left that resembled food. She can’t keep anything down at this point. She drank some ice water for me around 2:25 vomited it up – almost pure water within 2 minutes. Maybe the cold – I hear our bodies digest warm room temperature water better. I managed to get some Carafate in her again after this last one. SOMETHING needs to coat her tummy! She’s vomited the first Carafate up, The pepcid after that…. I hope this one works. She’s not sleeping good- probably because she does not have her meds in her. Her breathing is more at a normal pace – not the panting state Pred puts her in. So I am sure she vomited that up – even though I didn’t find that pill solid. Poor baby. If she does not start holding water – this was new now at 230am. She may need to get an IV of fluids tomorrow – which sucks because they had such a difficult time with finding a vain today! God she hates going – and to think she may have to stay. So much for a celebration in numbers!
Going to try to get a little sleep … tomorrow is going to be another big day if we don’t have progress soon.

[admin]

Erica,
I hope you wake up after some well deserved sleep and Justice is feeling better! I am sure your vet will sort this out no matter what it is, ulcers, pancreatitis… all things that will get better. She had a great PCV so she is showing that she will get better. Thinking of you and sending best wishes,

Brigitte