Sick dog - any suggestions?

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   gramaryeposted 14 years ago

   My dog is really sick. The vet gave her antiobiotics and other stuff for a suspected bowel infection and cystitis. She has unfirm stools and (still after a week) blood in her urine. He also suggested feeding yoghurt and honey for energy. After a week on antibiotics she has not improved, but not got worse, and is refusing most food.
   
   We hand feed her salmon, chicken and (yes) kangaroo, but she refuses after about 5 pieces. I give her honey by syringe, and yoghurt by "treats drops". She is almost too weak to walk with shallow rapid breathing. We take her for little walks because she loves it, but gets home really shaky and tired.
   
   Over the last few years we lost two cats one at 6 years old and the other at 8 years old to kidney disease. The dog is only nine in 6 days, and I'm at my wits ends trying to help her eat etc and get better.
   
   Does anyone have any suggestions?

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      Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Oh how sad.
      I went through what sounds almost identical about three years ago with my standard Schnauzer. My Vet gave me this suggestion which seemed to help my Missy girl...
      Boil 1 lb fresh beef liver in two cups of water (10 minutes) . When its cooled down a bit blend the works into a paste. Then add 2 cups of cooked long grained rice (kind of overcooked to almost mushy) mix the whole shabang with 2 cups of plain yogurt (the one with active bacteria). If its too dry looking add a bit more yogurt. Missy really liked the taste. Feed the dog a couple of tablespoons worth luke warm every couple of hours. Missy got better  within a week and after two week got her appetite back.
      
      Hope this will help

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         gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Tried the recipe, but no luck yet. I might try again when she finds some appetite, but tonight I had to force feed and squirt honey and yakult. When she starts solids, this will be great as a starter diet, but didn't work just yet.
         
         Thanks for the recipe - hope we get there.

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2. 87

   rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

   so sad, what does your vet say to do?
   
   it sounds like the antibiotics are not working. ?
   
   you have to be careful with honey because of the botulism risk.
   it can make an animal or human very ill.
   
   maybe try some plain white cooked rice or cottage cheese with small bites of chicken.
   
   I hope you can get the help your dog needs.

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      Richieb799posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      When our dog didn't eat my mum always used to put cheese on top of the food too

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3. 61

   tobey100posted 14 years ago

   Our last Border Collie went through what sounds like the same thing.  We discovered she had a tumor in her stomach.  Has your vet checked?  They removed Shep's tumor and he was fine.

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4. 62

   caravalhophotoposted 14 years ago

   This breaks my heart...I am so sorry you are going through this with your pet...
   
   A very bland diet might work...white rice, oatmeal and blanched chicken...try to get him to drink as much water as possible...they tend to become dehydrated which can cause blood in the urine
   
   Blessings and strength to you and your pet...

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   ethel smithposted 14 years ago

   Dogs tend to love plain boiled rice and be able to stomach it no matter what. If in doubt though get professional advice. Good luck. Don't let the dog suffer will you They do hide their pain well.

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   ethel smithposted 14 years ago

   Sorry for the smiley face in the previous post. Don't know what I pressed. Take care

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   gramaryeposted 14 years ago

   Thanks everybody for great suggestions. It helps to hear new things as I'd run out of ideas.
   
   Yes, it is hard to establish how much pain she is in.
   
   No, antibiotics don't seem to be working, but she did initially pick up a bit which gave some hope.
   
   I think I'll try Zsuzsy Bee's recipe for now and see how it goes. Off to the shops!

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      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is very sad. I suggest checking for a growth in the stomach.
      I would also get a second opinion.

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         LeonJaneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Very sad and I agree, I’d try with a second opinion (although this could be difficult). Before our dog passed away from old age his heart was getting weaker and required heart medication. We wanted a second opinion as the medication was expensive and had side effects. The second vet confirmed his heart problem but suggested we could reduce the dose from time to time to alleviate the side effects. It was all about quality of life vs length of life I guess.
         
         Not sure if you've had an x-ray/scan done?
         
         Hope things get better.

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            gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks Leon Jane,
            
            Yes, as per my reply to Earnestshub, we are working at this stage on quality of life. Basically last night we thought it was the end, but tonight she is a big better with a little more energy. We just continue to hope that a corner will be turned and she will regain her health.
            
            Today's visit did rule out diabetes which was a question, and we wondered if she had reached overly high ketone levels, but today's test eliminated that - relief!!
            
            Working on small walks and sunshine at the moment.

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         gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Earnest,
         
         Secretly we do suspect something like cancer, unfortunately, my husband does not want to do blood tests because he does not want bad news of what cannot be cured.
         
         The vet did come again today, and says that things do not really add up, and suspects a second problem - the stools have improved, but there is still blood in urine, not appetite and massive weight loss. We changed the antibiotics today.
         
         While my husband refuses blood tests (he is nobody's fool and is convinced that there is an underlying incurable situation) a second opinion will probably not help :-(
         
         Having said that, he just wants to give her what makes her happy now. Some sunbaking in the park helps her drink more, and then we manage to get a bit of food into her. We are now pretty much bracing for the worst, but hoping for the best.
         
         Its pretty sad, she is such a sweet dog.

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   Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

   I actually spoon fed Missy the liver goop with a little water in between each 1/2 spoon full. I hope it works out for you. Good luck. Hope you have good news for us in a couple of days.

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   SpiritLeoposted 14 years ago

   So sorry to hear that your dog is feeling ill
   I wish I could give some advice but have no experience in this field, but instead good wishes are winging their way to you, hoping your best friend will feel better very soon!

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    ethel smithposted 14 years ago

    Are things no better today then?

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    1. 60

       gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for asking Ethel, and all the other good wishes, but I'm now afraid she will not make it as she is dehydrating rapidly. Sad to say, she no longer has urine in her blood, just blood.
       
       She is managing her pain reasonably well, and every hour I get her to eat a few doggy yoghurt drops, short walks in the sun gives her a lot of pleasure, and will drink a bit of water after the walk.
       
       I guess we have gone into palliative care now - keep her comfortable, happy and as pain free as possible. We may have to give her a little help if she is in too much pain, but while she looks for her walk, she is still enjoying life.

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    raisingmeposted 14 years ago

    Been through this more times than I care to count all I can send you is HUGS!!!!

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12. 60

    gramaryeposted 14 years ago

    Sad to say, KoKo passed away this morning after a difficult night during which she took a turn for the worst. We were touched that she really wanted us to be with her through to the end, and snuggled up to us while she took her last breaths.
    
    We laid her to rest next to her two cat brothers under a nice old tree. During her life, she asked for little and gave a lot.
    
    Thanks for all your suggestions and caring thoughts.

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       rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       so sorry to hear.    It's so sad to lose a pet.  when we lost our dog, she was the same way at the end, she wanted to be near and we sat with her and pet her gently and strummed a guitar. 
       
       I hope you're o.k. {{hugs}} thanks for letting us know.  it's nice you have her laid to rest nearby.

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          gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks for your kind words RebekahELLE

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       Gabe Abbottposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       So sad. It is nice to see though that there are such supportive and understanding people on this forum. My wife and I were heartbroken when we lost our 13 year old beagle but we were treated like simpletons for being upset.
       
       You gave Koko a loving home and a peaceful end. I am sure she'll be waiting for you.

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       ScientificGearposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hi. I am sorry for your loss, but we know we cannot turn back time. I would like to know, after a month, how are you coping? Did you get another pet?

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    Maria Ceciliaposted 14 years ago

    I am sorry for your lost, I know you did what you think is the best for your dog....I too just lost my Pissy last March and she died with still unknown ailment (coz she died before her next examination)..my other dog Peso was a survivor of double Perineal hernia and he has now taking medication for life, and high fiber diet

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    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear of your sad loss.  She clearly knew where she felt safe and secure... which means that she probably loved and trusted you more than you could ever return.  I'm sure that she died a contented lady.  Take care and celebrate her life.

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    gracenotesposted 14 years ago

    I am really sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved dog.  I hope you are comforted by your memories.
    
    I went through something similar last year with my dog who passed away, and who developed a sudden illness (aggressive mass developed near his spleen).
    
    Take all the time you need to grieve.

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    Aiden Robertsposted 14 years ago

    So very sorry to hear about your loss.
    
    Take comfort from knowing the suffering has ended and your memories of love and devotion last forever and will never leave you.
    
    You and your family are in my thoughts.

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    katiem2posted 14 years ago

    I'm so sorry for your loss. 
    
    I always think of the movie all dogs go to heaven at times like these.
    
    Peace be with you

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    katkinposted 14 years ago

    so sorry about your loss, you did all you could and i'm sure your lovely dog knew this.
    
    God bless.

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    ebony4everposted 14 years ago

    I'm sorry to hear about your loss, my dog passed a month ago as well, its such a hard time to go through.  You did the best you could, take all the time you need to grieve.

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       blackcherrysposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Sorry for your loss-I wished it had of turned out different.

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20. 81

    Whitney05posted 14 years ago

    Sorry for your loss, and I'm sorry that she had to suffer her dying days without hope to find a cure. Sucks your husband wouldn't let proper tests be run.

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    Zsuzsy Beeposted 14 years ago

    So sorry to hear about KoKo's passing. Our pets are so much a part of our lives that it's hard to accept when they leave us for better pastures...

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    patience evansposted 14 years ago

    i know about that my dog kadie died and ever sad i just hope my dog max dieds

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