VinnieAndRexsMom

Thanks all Yes, Susan, it helps to know we are not alone. Thank you. I know you have been dealing with this for awhile. Last week I was afraid Red was going to leave very soon. Maybe not. I will revisit Wizard's thread. Thanks again I am giving pepcid because he seems nauseaus, and because he is on the metacam. I am taking in urine today. Couldn't get enough poo to test. Good news is that last night he ate half my New York strip all on his own. He came up and asked for it. He did have discomfprt later on as it started to go through I gave liquid kao-pec to help, and I don't knwo that it gave him any comfort. This morning he had a soft poo that was a bit orange looking. Not the usual pale kao poop. I am watching red. Of the three things he loves most: cookies, loves, and walks, he is only turning down the cookies. He is asking for loves as much as ever, and he practically drasgs me on walks. Since Friday, he has had to stop and take a rest, but then we move on. We went for several walks yesterday... short ones, but many, and he wouldn't go the same direction twice.

Red had lab work two weeks ago and it was all good. His numbers for kidney and liver function were normal. WBC was a little low. He has not had an abdominal x-ray yet. We have a speciality hospital in Fort Wayne with a wonderful internist. They took care of DD's Moose last fall and did Red's ultrasound in Oct. I'm staying home tomorrow from school. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Thanks you for all your well wishes, prayers, and support.

You know, I usually don't ask... but I don't know how much fight my Reddy has left. About a month ago, I noticed he wasn't eating. Then Chase got big D later in the week, so I knew I had another bad bag of food/formula change that didn't agree with them.They've been eating CA Antural chix and rice for 3-4 years. We had the same kid of bag in early Feb. I was taking care of my mom after triple bypass, so I was in and out. All three dogs were some kind of sick from that food. Red refused to eat it then, too. Both times we ended up with a case of IBD. Good bag of food in between and everyone was better. This last round, I switched to EP Holistic. White boys are fine, but Red was off the kibble by then. I used the liquid kao-pec from vet (no bad stuff) and worked on him myself, thinking I could get him settled. Vet visit the next week. Sulfasalizine, which had worked in Jan. and centrine. No puking and no big D anymore, but no appetite. Trying really hard not to flare up the IBD, I fed him babyfood meat, food processed homecooked, and a little cheese. He was eating a little on his own, and I was feeding him with my fingers, putting it in his mouth. Back to the vet on Friday. We tried predef Friday and Sat. because I was not sure about greyhound dosage for steriods for IBD. Appetite picked up. He ate on his own. He wanted homemade chix breast and rice. Two hours later we were back to big D. I was out of other stuff, so I gave him immodium. He calmed down and I went back to strained babyfood. Meanwhile, I started looking for Robin's threads on Beau. Tuesday I was back at the vet picking up new meds b/c he still needed stuff for the gut when solid food hit, and he seemed nauseaus. We got reglan and more liquid kao-pec. Appettite fell off after the shots wore off. Dr. C, who had been seeing him talked to me about testing for Addisons. He would have to stay the day. I was not sure he was strong enough to stay all day while I was at work. (My brother's lab tested positive for Addisons a year ago and she was full of cancer She was three.) Back to the vet with Red on Friday to see Dr. O; Dr. C was out on large animal. Dr. O says he looks like he's in pain... something I never want for my dogs. (Red cried when he tried to lyay down after I left for school on Friday. DD2 was here with him) Dr. O said Red isn't very good. He said he's wasting away. We both agreed that Red had not given up yet. We both agreed I have a small window to turn him around. We could try pain meds or a course of steriods to pick up the appetite and take care of any inflamation in the gut. He looked and acted painful, so we went with a shot of metacam. He has liquid metacam for home. He is still on reglan, and I added pepcid. Dr. O said I have to get food in him. I came home with ID, which he will not touch, Nutrical which I put in his mouth, and AD. Haven't tried the AD yet (I think it's pretty rich). I am still feeding him his babyfood. He ate a little on his own this morning. He ate a little ground steak on his own last night after I put some in his mouth. He drinks water, not often but a lot at a time, and is not dehydrated. This is what he normally does with his water. He pants when he has to pee. He pants when he has to make his baby turds. He has been jumping to go out for a walk, but he wears out fast. He raises his head to listen to what is going on in the house. Red usually carries about 70#s and is 10 1/2 years old. He was 63.4 a week ago and 58.8 two days ago. He is treated for hypothyroidism. Red came because Vinnie had to leave. Vinnie left was four years ago yesterday. Vinnie's birthday is the 11th. My daughter's is the 13th. Red is the first greyhound that has been DH's buddy since Rex left, and he and DH are close. My heart is breaking. I told Red I was strong enough to fight for the both of us. And I would fight until he told me he was ready to go. I should add: at this point I am afraid I am dealing with something else... not IBD.

Whitey was blessed to find you. So sorry he had to leave. Godspeed Whitey...

Hugs, lots of hugs to you Ali. I am so sorry. I wil miss Periwinkle pics and stories.

So sorry BeBe had to leave. Godspeed sweet girl...

I'm so sorry, Kari. I will always remember your picture of Mel on the dash as you drove to the new house. Sending hugs,

So, so sorry, Pat. Godspeed Zeus...

Godspeed Zema... Sending hugs to you, Jey. I am so sorry Zema had to go.

Lucy, I am just now seeing this and my heart breaks for you. I'm so sorry Riley had to go. He is truely one of my all-time favorite boys. Godspeed Riley... Sending hugs,

So sorry Pablo had to leave. Godspeed Pablo...

I am so sorry for you loss. Godspeed handsome boy...

Godspeed handsome Eddie...

Beautiful Mokka... Godspeed sweet girl. My sympathies to you, Bev, Marc, and family.

I am so sorry for your sudden loss. Gdospeed Dessi...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Beautiful boy I'm so sorry for your loss, Cully.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Beautiful Benny I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I'm so very sorry for your loss

I am so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Beautiful girl I am so sorry Bailey had to leave. Godspeed sweet girl...

Handsome boy, you will be missed. Godspeed Daddy...