Split: For Hope and Steve

[Patrice]

Hi Hope,

I am so glad to hear about the mistake on the x-ray! No need to be worrying about things that aren’t real!

Metrondiazole can be a very valuable drug for gastrointestinal problems. However there can be some unwanted side effects in dogs when it is used long term. Can you tell me why they prescribed it?

Licking lips is a clear sign of upset stomach and nausea. Is he also arching his back or acting like he is uncomfortable? There are several meds that can be used to reduce this nausea, like Cerenia. I would honor his desire not to eat for now.

This may be pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. This can happen to dogs being treated with prednisone. If this were me, I would call the vet in the morning and ask about this specifically.  A dog that has a singular attack of pancreatitis can recover if food is withheld for a bit. Keep offering water. Afterwards, once the inflammation has reduced, giving a low fat diet will help to keep it from recurring. You have done nothing wrong, this can be related to the drugs you are using.

The other thing that could be happening is that an ulcer has developed in the stomach from the corrosive actions of prednisone and aspirin. Sometimes even when we are really careful to provide stomach protection this can happen. I would ask if the vet thinks you should be using sucralfate, a kind of mild internal “bandage” for the stomach. It will help coat and heal any ulcers that might be developing.  Be sure to give it to him away from all food and drugs so it doesn’t interfere with absorption.

I wish we didn’t have to give dogs such awful medicines, but they are life savers. Being vigilant and catching these signs shows that you are paying attention to his behavior. What a good job you are doing!

my best, patrice

 

[Hope]

Hello all!

I decided to wait and watch Steve for a little bit tonight before I brought him in — he slept a good bit and when he got up, he seemed like he felt a little better. So I don’t know if this is wishful thinking or not but I kind of think my friend’s non-appetite might be, in part, due to his spoiled behavior coming back. He’s never been a fan of the U/D dog food (he’s been on it for 3 years).. he was eating a lot the last few days, I’m assuming because of the Pred. He wasn’t too fond of it yesterday or tonight until I put it in a regular bowl and started feeding it to him with a spoon. I’m still definitely going to mention it to the doctor tomorrow, along with the licking of the air and the kind of loose stool. It’s been a bit loose since he got home but tonight it was a little more than usual. I definitely agree  that there is some kind of GI upset going on and perhaps he needs to be back on the sucralfate.

Mary – he is not currently on any kind of liver protection or other supplements. I really want to get him started on some though.. I emailed Dr. Dodds earlier and asked her about that. Does anyone know what she generally suggests though and if they are internet-only items? I’d like to order them ASAP.

Patrice – he was originally put on the metrondiazole for “upset stomach” from being forced to throw up the week before the IMHA diagnosis. He had gotten a chicken bone or two and I made him throw up (I learned after the fact that they no longer recommend doing that – you are supposed to give them bread to try to cushion the GI tract). That sort of led into him being hospitalized and subsequently diagnosed with iMHA. I don’t know if that might have had something to do with it, though both his general vet and the internist said probably not. When he was moved to the internist’s office/emergency hospital, he was taken off the metrondiazole, I think because they started him on MMF. I’m going to ask him about pancreatitis tomorrow as well.

One more thing– is it okay if he has rawhide chew bones? He found his brother’s earlier and was going to town until I took it from him.

Thank you to everyone for your advice and support!

Hope

[Tamara]

Hi Hope, Ashki is on denamarin (which I believe is a prescription item) for his liver.  It has SamE and the active ingredient from milk thistle in it.  They do have it at my Costco pharmacy if you have one near you.  Dr. Dodds recommends both SamE and milk thistle for liver support, along with her liver cleanse diet.

I’m so happy Steve was feeling a bit better!

Hugs —

Tamara and Ashki

[admin]

Hi Hope

So glad the second x-ray found nothing untoward – phew! Good news. Hoping Steve will soon be a hungry boy again – it certainly does sound like nausea & Patrice has given such good advice on checking for pancreatitis. We had an awful time with Worzel not eating, so I really sympathize – it’s horrible to see them like that. Thanks for mentioning they have stopped the metronidazole – perhaps it was causing a problem of some kind. You are doing a fantastic job, Hope – Steve couldn’t be in better hands – keep us posted on how he’s doing.

Sending you all our best wishes for Steve to feel better very soon.

Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxx

 

[admin]

Hi Hope

I’m so glad that Steve seemed to be feeling a bit better after he’d had a sleep. Subtle changes can be important indicators, so well done you for watching him so closely.

As a cat owner, I’m unsure on the rawhide bones but can’t see it would be a problem. Can anyone else advise?

Tamara has already given you really good advice about liver support, so that would really be worth looking into. It’s possible that he isn’t keen on his food as you say. Has the vet said he needs to stay on this? Molly was on S/O food but once she started with IMHA they weren’t worried what she ate – anything was better than nothing. However, I know Steve had the problems with blood in his urine so your vet may feel it is important for him to stay on his prescription diet. Dr Dodds may well suggest a liver cleansing diet, so if she does, I would ask about the bladder stones and whether this needs to be considered.

Heating up the food just a little helps it to smell more appetising, although be very careful if you use a microwave as it will heat very quickly and leave hot spots. At the moment, as Patrice says, don’t worry too much about a short period of reduced appetite if Steve is feeling nauseous. Also, many people find adding pumpkin to the food helps with the loose stools.

Hoping you have a positive trip to the vets today. Give Steve a hug from me and let us know how you get on.

Mary & Mable x

[Hope]

Hey all!

Steve went for blood work today and his PCV is at 33% (Monday was 34%).. He’s holding steady!

Husband took him in and said the hospital was insane – waited over an hour and only ever saw a tech and for 5 minutes. He didn’t talk to her about the GI stuff so again, a smack in the head to him. I’m going to try to call later but am definitely bringing him back Friday for another checkup too. When he got home he looked better than he did yesterday and husband (will be taking him to work with him until he gets better-ish)  said he was way more alert today, though he made him chill out more. He scarfed down 1/3 cup wet food + dry when he got home.I think I’m going to try to feed him more smaller meals. I’m still worried that there might be a stomach upset or even pancreatitis. He willingly ate but idk if it was the wrong thing to do to offer it.. He followed me in the kitchen and sat which is what he does when he’s hungry so I thought it was okay?

Mary-he unfortunately has to stay on UD bc of the existing bladder stones and his high susceptibility to developing more. I emailed dr dodds and asked her if I could do the liver cleanse diet with his stone issue.

Tamara – I looked on 1800petmeds.com and they say that medicine isn’t prescription. Does anyone know if there is a difference between that OTC version and prescription version? I tried to ask them on the website and of course they said no.

Dr Dodds wrote back to my novel (as y’all can see I am prone to doing) and said that she thought all was good except I needed to add the supplements, diet and thyroxine. Id like to do a thyroid test on him but have to navigate that with his internist.

Sheena and everyone – thank you so much for checking in on Mr. Steve!  Hugs to you all!

Xoxo hope and Steve

[admin]

Hope! That is wonderful news – I’m so happy to hear the latest. When Worzel eventually started eating again, he was scoffing at least 4 times his usual amount (!!!), so lots of smaller meals is a good idea of yours. Just go steady before you know for certain about the pancreatitis though, as food can aggravate that. It is extremely painful for them and I know you are looking out for any symptoms – let us know if you are worried about ANYTHING at all. Hopefully, all will be well, even though it’s a right pain fitting the meds around the extra food, I know. I would definitely recommend the thyroid testing & Dr Dodds protocol on that – it has made a huge difference to many dogs. Also the supplements.

I’m off to bed with my boys now – thinking of you & Steve constantly

Love Sheena, Worzel & Ollie (waiting on the bed for biscuits as we speak! Yes – spoilt rotten)

PS That husband of yours should be very afraid! I bet he’s lovely really.

[Hope]

Hey sheena!

Thanks so much for replying — I just ordered the milk thistle and sam-E online. They should be here by Saturday at the latest. I emailed dr dodds to see if Steve was able to do the liver cleanse with his urate stone issues. I am going to talk to the vet about a thyroid test I think on Friday.

I’m probably being ridiculous but Steve hasn’t had a bowel movement in 24 hours. Yesterday it was loose-ish and today we have nothing. He ate 3 small meals at 8:00am, 3:00pm and 9:00 pm so there should be something there. Is this a cause of concern?

So glad I found all of you!!

Hope