RobinM Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 (edited) We are 7 days post surgery and Beau is thinner than ever before. I've attached a picture which doens't look so bad. Trust me on this, he looks totally emaciated. He's tiny and so narrow. Polli is so much heavier than her, it's so depressing. The only thing he is eating consistantly is tilapia. On a good day he will put away close to 3.5 FULL fish which does have decent calories, but he is apparently not absorbing. I have decided to take him into see a board certified internal medicine vet who specializes in gastro issues. Here are her credentials. http://www.vetspecialist.com/index.php?sub...edicine+Doctors My regular vet's credentials are not too shabby (UPenn) but I feel I need to exhust every possibility to make sure we are doing everything we can. We prob are and I fully expect this vet to say we are, but in the event, there is a nutrient, probiotic, something to help him, well then we have nothing to lose. We have an appointment Friday morning. I felt like I was cheating on my vet when I asked them to fax over all his records! It's not personal at all. I don't know what I would have done without my vet. ETA- As much as I appreciate everyone offering food advice, please keep in mind that the only foods /additives/etc that Beau can have is 1) Wellness whitefish & sweet potato kibble and wet (which he has pretty much refused) fresh Tilapia (which I poach for him) and real sweet potato which he won't touch. That is the only thing he is allowed to have. I can not sprinkle food with anything or offer supplements like ensure. That's the beast of IBD. One food and one food only. Edited January 29, 2009 by RobinM Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Poor fellow. He does look very thin.... Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zoolaine Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Beau, get better sweetie. More good thoughts coming your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 He does look thin! The consult is a good idea. Please keep us posted! Will he not eat potato or some carb to go with the fish protein? I'm thinking otherwise it's like he's on the Atkins diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Poor guy. He looks like Emmy did before we helped her to the bridge. I so know your frustration with the eating issues. My prayers for both of you. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Beau :cry1 I hope with all my heart that the specialist will have some answers for you, Robin... some suggestion... something! Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 He does look thin! The consult is a good idea. Please keep us posted! Will he not eat potato or some carb to go with the fish protein? I'm thinking otherwise it's like he's on the Atkins diet. No, he will not eat any carbs. i made barly with fish broth instead of water. He won't touch it. He won't touch sweet potato and on Monday he ate 3/4 cups of kibble. That's it. He refuses it. My vet is not concerned, but I can't not do anything and wait it out as she suggests. She and everyone else says that it could take 3months before he starts gaining weight. I just don't understand why we are going backwards. Meaning, we are 7 days post op. I understand that the IBD is SEVERE and according to a lot of people, he is doing well, but I know my boy. This is not right. He's only 4. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I think a consult with an Internist is a good idea! Prayers coming your way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LoveMyJoseyBean Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Poor baby. Get better Beau. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Oh poor Beau (and poor Mom). Sending prayers that the specialist can offer assistance. You're not cheating on your vet--you are doing everything possible for a beloved member of your family. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mecki Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Poor Beau...sending tons of prayers that you find something to help. I'm sure your vet understands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinnieAndRexsMom Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 The consult is a good idea. How under weight is he? My expereince is that when they start to eat, the weight comes on slowly. Chase came to me worse than Beau. He took about three months to put it all back on, but it started when he began to eat. He was emaciated for different reasons though, so getting him to at was not a problem. I thought he would stay boney forever. It is very worrisome. Quote Tonya, mom to May, and my angels Vinnie, Rex, Red, Chase, and Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 (edited) The consult is a good idea. How under weight is he? My expereince is that when they start to eat, the weight comes on slowly. Chase came to me worse than Beau. He took about three months to put it all back on, but it started when he began to eat. He was emaciated for different reasons though, so getting him to at was not a problem. I thought he would stay boney forever. It is very worrisome. He is very, very underweight. He is getting a decent amount of protein, calories and omega 3s BUT he is not absorbing which is par for the course. On the yahoo IBD boards there is a greyhound who should weigh 71. He weighs 56 and gets 8 cups a food a day. Can you imagine? IBD is a nasty nasty disease. One that I wish to G-D, my poor Beau Bead did not have. NO ONE should have to have it. Edited January 29, 2009 by RobinM Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 We're with you, Robin. I've had to reach out for different vets at different times and know how you feel as to "cheating." But you're doing the right thing! And I hope the internist will reach out to the GI lab at Texas A&M vet school, in turn, if need be. Their contact info is at the top of this link, which happens to be an article they write about cobalamin: http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/gilab/research/cobalamin.shtml Good luck, hang in there, and keep us posted. Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmswartzfager Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Remember, right now, any calories he is eating is going towards healing, not putting on weight. Blitz lost a few pounds after his exploratory abdominal surgery before he finally started gaining. I don't have his records in front of me, but it was a good 6 weeks before he started filling out, then he plateaued for a while while we switched foods and medications, then finally finished regaining his weight, probably 5 months after his surgery. Blitz should be between 75-78 pounds - he was down to 61-62 pounds for a week or two after his surgery (about 68 pre-surgery). (He's now about 80 pounds and says he doesn't get fed nearly enough.) Quote Deanna with galgo Willow, greyhound Finn, and DH BrianRemembering Marcus (11/16/93 - 11/16/05), Tyler (2/3/01 - 11/6/06), Frazzle (7/2/94 - 7/23/07), Carrie (5/8/96 - 2/24/09), Blitz (3/28/97 - 6/10/11), Symbra (12/30/02 - 7/16/13), Scarlett (10/10/02 - 08/31/13), Wren (5/25/01 - 5/19/14), Rooster (3/7/07 - 8/28/18), Q (2008 - 8/31/19), and Momma Mia (2002 - 12/9/19). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I am praying for your sweetheart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimsmom Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I've forgotten is he on prednisone? That usually helps with appetite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 I've forgotten is he on prednisone? That usually helps with appetite. 20mg bid as of last Friday. I know it's early and I know my vet thinks I am rushing things, but the truth is I want to make sure we are on the right course while it's early on rather than wait 3 months and start. I truly believe what my vet has said and to back her up, the vet who does acupunture for Teddy and Beau (Beau skipped last night) told DH verbatim what my vet is saying. This is a very, very, very slow process. The fact that his poop was formed already is greyt according them both. Means the pred is starting to do it's job. I just looked over at him and the look of love in his eyes for me.. seriously makes me melt... Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pipi5 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinggreysslp Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Wow Robin he is terribly thin. Clay did have every single bone (at least it seemed like it) showing when he was at his worst with his IBD. Many on the IBD yahoo group talk about all the comments people make about "Why don't you feed your dog more?". If only it were that simple. I hope your trip to the internal medicine vet leads to some other ideas to help Beau. I think of you and Beau often and keep you in my prayers. Quote Cosmo (Fuzz Face Cosmos), Holmes (He's a Dream), Boomer (USS Baby Boomer), Ella and missing our angels Clay (Red Clay), Train (Nite Train), Trip (Bock's Teddy Bear),Larry (Bohemian Frigid) and Jimmy (Bohemian Raw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pabozem Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I know you have been told a specific food to feed Beau. Would it be possible to put the food he heeds to eat in a blender with some good nutritional liquid, then put some of that in a large food dropper and feed it to him by pulling out his cheek and squeezing it into his mouth? It might be a slow process, but like you, I think he needs the nutrition before he can start getting better. Knock on wood, I haven't had a dog that won't eat, and can't imagine how frustrating this is for you both. Hugs to Beau and you, and hang in there. Quote Waiting at the bridge: Blaze, Rodney, Lady, Spice, Sarahlee, Callie and Baby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 The consult is a wonderful idea - and you're not "cheating" on your Vet. On the contrary, most Vets welcome another opinion/idea. A specialist can make all the difference in the world, and so what if she tells you the same thing you have been hearing? At least you will know that you are doing everything humanely possible. That may not be what you want to hear, but it's better than the alternative. The link to the article about Vitamin B12 is very interesting. Has Beau's level been checked? I wonder if a Greyhound's level could/should be any different. Does anyone out there know? We will be praying for you and Beau and waiting for your update after the appointment with the specialist. And yes, he is thin, but he wants to know that you think he's wonderful no matter what he looks like! He needs to know that all is right in his world and you are his world. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Migreys Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Now I feel bad, Kayla is even more thin that. Forgive me, I don't know much about IBD but can he have Ensure or is that a no-no? Our vet said to let Kayla drink her calories. Best of luck to you and Beau. I can understand that you might feel like you are "cheating" but we need to do all we can to help our pups and if that means getting another consult, a second opinion - there's no harm in that. Best of luck to you and Beau. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted January 29, 2009 Share Posted January 29, 2009 I'm glad you are going to the Internist. Poor Beau, I'm so sorry you are all going through this and so soon after his mom, Miss Polli's ordeal. I'm sure Dr. L totally understands. Beau is so young and I hope you find a solution. My thoughts and prayers are with you Robin. Will be looking for an update on Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 The consult is a wonderful idea - and you're not "cheating" on your Vet. On the contrary, most Vets welcome another opinion/idea. A specialist can make all the difference in the world, and so what if she tells you the same thing you have been hearing? At least you will know that you are doing everything humanely possible. That may not be what you want to hear, but it's better than the alternative. The link to the article about Vitamin B12 is very interesting. Has Beau's level been checked? I wonder if a Greyhound's level could/should be any different. Does anyone out there know? We will be praying for you and Beau and waiting for your update after the appointment with the specialist. And yes, he is thin, but he wants to know that you think he's wonderful no matter what he looks like! He needs to know that all is right in his world and you are his world. yes, his B12 was within range early January. We did a subq of B12 just in case it wasn't normal when the results were pending and it made no difference in appeitite Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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