well, unfortunately, despite around a month of what we thought was a great few steps to recovery, loki has been unable to keep any food down whatsoever since sunday.
the vomiting began again a week a week past on monday, but again was sporadic and we put it down to him maybe having sneaked something he shouldn’t have. however, to be on the safe side, i took him to the vet on thursday evening - and when it continued despite medication, back on saturday morning there. he did manage, throughout this time, to keep some food in his belly - despite discomfort, i think.
anyway, i think he definitely had something that disagreed with him on saturday, as all day on sunday he was sick - and hasn’t stopped since.
the vet has said our next step would be an endoscopy, or a further change of diet (but he can’t even keep down plain rice now) - or that we put him on steroids for IBD that should help.
there’s been a wee dark cloud over our house i think, as it’s really now sinking in that whatever’s wrong with him, he’s a very sick dog. you can see all of his ribs, and he is so lethargic- obviously through lack of nutrients.
allan is at the vet with him again today, so i’m just looking for some positive vibes to be sent our way :( it’s breaking my heart to see him like this…
firstly, loki skillfully skipped the queue at the vets by being sick all over the waiting room…
given that the last thing he ate was yesterday morning, the fact that he’s been storing food in his stomach for this length of time suggested to the vet that it’s a digestive/stomach acid problem. they gave him a cerenia injection, which is to be followed by a short course of 4 tablets before moving him onto steroids.
thankfully, despite his weight loss the vet says that he is still very well hydrated, so at least he still has an appetite and is willing to eat/drink.
we’re allowed to try him with a little bit of food tonight. i just really hope that he manages to keep it down…
thanks everyone, it really means a lot - we’ve been so worried….
well, he managed to eat two quarter cups of food last night, one at 7pm and one at 10pm, and kept them both down - just a little bit of spluttering. we’ve got cerenia (anti vomiting) to give him for the next 4 days and to take him off the other medications before he starts the steroids, so that does seem to be helping.
he’s stuck right next to me and allan at all times - and, a first, slept at the foot of our bed all night last night and was out cold, exhausted.
it’s a really small step forward, but i just hope that it’s progress that will continue…
Really so sorry to hear this about Loki, cos it did sound like you had turned a corner. I’ve struggled with Biscuit’s tum, but Loki does sound a bit more serious.
Any chance Loki could be eating grass when your back is turned? Biscuit will do this to be deliberately sick, but then eat food. Grass just has an immediate effect on him.
It does seem like a good sign that he is trying to eat, so I hope that is something to go on.
If you ever think he is getting dehydrated - I use Manuka honey (expensive, but has anti-bacterial properties) melted into water and actually rub it on the gums. I’ve done this when I feel things are getting desperate.
Really hope you can get a diagnosis, so you at least have a chance to know what you are dealing with. I’m really sending good vibes to your hound.
Also if the conclusion is to move to a course of steroids, I would be asking for how long, cos steroids should only be viewed as a short sharp measure to pick him up etc. Steroids have other consequences if used long term, although I would expect the vet to set that out for you.
loki has been on cerenia for 4 days and there has been no vomiting at all since wednesday. even though i caught him with his head in the bag of dog food (thankfully not the meaty bag!) - he seemed to digest it and have no issues.
we have the steroids from the vet, but were instructed to give them a phone today for instructions rather than start him on them straight away. they’ve recommended that we keep him off of all medication for now, and take him back for a check up in 2 weeks.
this brought a lot of mixed reaction from me. basically, that’s what they said last time he started being sick (or stopped, even) - and the vomiting happened again - which is why the steroids were going to be introduced, to see if they made an impact following a course of them. it just feels like they’re trying something again that was already unsuccessful..although i know that it doesn’t always work that way, complicated creatures that we all are!
our vets have an open surgery where you go and wait to be seen by the vets in the practice that day - so as a result, allan, loki and i have all seen at least 4 different vets (who did all recommend, at different times, the same things, which was good i guess)
however, i think that if he’s sick again i will take him to his normal vet, and to another for a second opinion as suggested. as much as i would love for him to not be sick again and to stay fine without any medication, i still have this feeling that something’s wrong and it won’t work out that way.
so, it’s back to the waiting game! i guess all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best..
thanks for all the well wishes - they definitely paid off
I’m afraid I’m sticking my neck out here, and saying I would be off to another vet for a second opinion. I didn’t know from previous info about the variety of vets, so how is there any continuity of care in terms of seeing first hand how your dog looks and reacts each time he has been brought in?
It’s a bit sad that you feel you are going thru the same routine as before. What happened to the plan for the endoscopy? I know all of this costs money, even if Loki is insured, but this problem could end up costing far more if a diagnosis is not made.
I know of two friends recently who changed vets for the very reason you have cited - a different vet each time they go in, with no feeling of the vet knowing their dog.
I honestly don’t mean this as criticism, just sometimes it doesn’t pay to be too deferential to vets, just as we shouldn’t be deferential to our GP. You deserve to have a proper discussion about tests, outcomes, what is eliminated and what is not with a plan of action - not going over the same ground.
Sorry - just how I feel if it was my dog, and I have paid enough visits with tummy troubles with Biscuit.
I am keeping everything crossed for Loki but would say if you are not happy seek a second opinion. You know your dog and if you feel something is still not right seek another opinion for your own peace of mind.
Big hugs to Loki and you.
Marie
i’m going to ask around my neighbours to see if there’s another local vet that i can take him to - unfortunately the one we’re at now has been described as ‘the best in paisley’ by a lot of people i’ve spoken to, although i know that a lot are in agreeance that the vets are better with animals than people!
a second opinion will at least help us with the best course of action from here. so far he has gone for 1 day with no medication and has not been sick, so we’re going to keep an eye on what we’re feeding him until we get a chance to take him to another vet and hope for the best….
although i know that a lot are in agreeance that the vets are better with animals than people!
I honestly think that statement and the fact you have heard it said by others speaks volumes about this practice. It is a cop-out to only be good with animals - animals don’t walk in by themselves or get their treatment explainted to them - it’s the owners. If the vets can’t speak to the owners in a meaningful fashion then there must be many animals who go home with confused owners or worse, not receiving the right handling to recover. I also think the seeing another vet everytime, allows a vet to cop out, continuity must be essential in along standing issue like Loki’s.
I know for a fact that quite a large part of vets training is in how to handle people, at least it is currently.
I would also say that it would be fine if these vets were better with animals if you had got to the bottom of Loki’s illness by now, but you haven’t, so unfortunately from what I’ve read, they are good with neither animals or people in this case.
I’m really glad you are going to ask about, and I’m not sure how practical this is for you, but you may want to make enquiries at the Glasgow Vet school about an opinion? Wishing you luck, and good wishes to Loki.
