rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Buddy seemed to rally over the weekend...and yesterday he seemed almost back to normal. He was eating his rice/ground beef/chicken well, getting all his pills in, acting more like himself. The only thing that wasn't right was the VERY soft stool. But even that wasn't more than once a day..... Today, however, he isn't good. DH said that when he got up, Buddy was panting heavily, so he let him outside. Then he came back in and threw up. DH said it was orange, almost the color of pumpkin. Then after I got up, Buddy was lying down resting, and his breathing seemed "wheezy"....same as late last week when he was in the midst of his troubles. My DD described it as "almost growling" when he breathed. Then he got up, and the tail is tucked, the head is down, his back is hunched...just like last week. I am so worried. He was doing so well, and now he's like he was before. I suppose I will have to call the vet when they open.....I am afraid for Buddy. And me, too.... 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 Redpack Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I'm sorry. I know what it's like when they are doing so well and then boom! Why? Sending prayers for Buddy - will be looking for an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffer Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Sending prayers for Buddy. Quote Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I'm sorry.......yes, I think I'd get him to the vet as soon as possible today. Sending good thoughts for Buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) Just talked to the vet's office. Her recommendation is to first, up the pain meds...now if I could get them into him....and if he isn't feeling better by this afternoon she wants to see him and give him an injection of a muscle relaxer. They are also going to fax a referral to an orthopedic doctor. Edited February 3, 2009 by rascalsmom 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...
CaliforniaGreys Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Lots of prayers for your boy Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 What really worries me is his weight loss....from 74 lbs. in September to 66 lbs. now. I expressed that concern to them....also that maybe there is something *else* going on, and I realize the doctor can't necessarily *know* if he has something else...like cancer....but at least they know my concerns. 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 Drafters Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Oh, dear. I've been wondering about him. I hope the vet visit goes well. Poor thing. Will be thinking of you and Buddy. :grouphug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreytMuse Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Many good thoughts coming your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Sending many good thoughts, prayers and hugs your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Well, I can't get the pills into him. Offered them in satin balls, he found all except the whole antibiotic (in other words, he found the 1/2 antibiotic, both tramadols, and the 1/2 rimadyl). Then offered him a tramadol in peanut butter. He turned his head. Offered tramadol in canned cat food, which he normally LOVES, again, no go. I tried prying his mouth open...got one cat food ball in, he spit it out. Tried prying his mouth open again, couldn't even get it open. Now what do I do?? Can't increase the meds if he won't take them..... 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...
Batmom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Will he take a little peanutbutter (no pill) off your finger? That might get his mouth open enough for you to start. When I open their mouth, I wrap their upper lips under their teeth so they are less likely to bite down, and then stick pill WAAAAAAAAAY down the throat. Then immediately offer treat so they swallow instead of trying to hork anything up. If putting pill in something like peanutbutter, I put some extra peanutbutter on another finger. As soon as they open mouth a little, poke peanutbutter pill in and immediately offer other finger so they start licking and swallowing. Hugs and prayers for your boy. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 My DH got most of the pills into him at lunchtime. He's taken the 1/2 rimadyl, and two of the three tramadol that the vet wanted him to have. He is so suspicious of anything we try to offer him, though. Too smart for his own good. We do the "decoy", then the real treat-with-pill, then another decoy...he tends to inspect everything. But at least he got some of them down. Now I will wait to see how he does...if he doesn't seem better it's back to the vet. 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...
duncan41 Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Mine will still go for Pill Pockets, but I read that that in a case like Buddy's, it's best to use tweezers to insert the pill into the pocket because handling the pill will transfer the smell. I guess whatever "junque" food the pocket is made from is meant to disguise the smell of the meds. Would an injection offer enough relief to break the cycle or is he just naturally suspicious? Sending more prayers for Buddy. 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...
queenwinniesmom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Oh, Melissa, I can't blame you for being worried. When you are wracking your brain trying to figure it all out, it just consumes your mind. And then being so stressed over getting the pills into him doesn't help either. I'm glad Eric was able to get some into him. Buddy is in my prayers. Keep up updated. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlackandBrindle Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Oh Goodness, I haven't seen you post about this before As far as pilling goes, I resorted to a pill gun. Sadie got too smart and was spitting her pills out at me once she ate the food. The pill gun works because you just pop them in, shoot them down the throat, and immediately treat them. That way they don't get suspicious of the food. Prayers for Buddy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I'm so sorry this is happening Melissa I'm keeping you and Buddy in my thoughts and sending lots of good thoughts. 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...
rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 (edited) Thanks, Nancy, and everyone else. It doesn't help that I have to go back for further testing from my annual mammogram....that's tomorrow. When it rains, it pours. I am really more worried about Buddy than about myself. I've had to go back for 'second looks' in the past, too, so I'm not too worried about that. It's more of an inconvenience. And that my beloved daughter, graduating from college this May, is hoping to move FAR AWAY (South Carolina, possibly), and calls today to tell me she may have an interview for a job there....while I am happy for her, I selfishly want her CLOSER. Overall it's been a sad day for me. I did make an appointment with the specialist (at PVSEC). It made my head spin....$115 to walk in the door, if they want to do an MRI or CT scan, plus surgery, it could go as high as $1500 to $3500....they like to go straight to surgery from the scan, to prevent having to sedate them twice....now I am doubting even taking him there. He is 12 years old!! Not real sure I'd want to put him through surgery on his SPINE at this point in his life....he got totally stressed out going there (PVSEC) for his eye problem a couple of months ago! How much do you do??? I really struggle with this. I want to do what is right, I want him around as long as I can have him around, but on the other hand we are not made of money. I feel that since the vet referred us to the specialist, she feels she's done all she knows to do. But what if it is something else, in addition to his back/neck issues? Why has he lost so much weight? Why is he having diarrhea and throwing up? (The diarrhea PREDATES the antibiotics and pain pills). I just don't know. Edited February 3, 2009 by rascalsmom 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 Vinnie Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Adding more prayers and thoughts for Buddy. We have a pill spitter here but found that if we put it into the soft liverwurst or braunshwager (spelling???) the smell covers the pills and they just gulp them down - and because it is soft, we just mold it around the pill. Sending extra hugs and scritches and a prayer for your test too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 oh no! :( I know how scared you must be :( sending gentle healing hugs and prayers Buddy gets better! :hope Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Redpack Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hard decisions you have to make. You'll do the right thing. Hope Buddy rallies for you and that your test go well. As for the daughter, I don't have any, but could send a son or two to keep you company? Sorry, poor attempts at humor are one of my ways of coping with stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hard decisions you have to make. You'll do the right thing. Hope Buddy rallies for you and that your test go well. As for the daughter, I don't have any, but could send a son or two to keep you company? Sorry, poor attempts at humor are one of my ways of coping with stress. Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. My own son, age 24, is out on his own, and it's rather nice. He, however, is still nearby. And I still have the 12 yo dd at home...but I appreciate the offer! 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...
patricia Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Angel Sophia had horrible issues with her cervical spine...no weight loss...no vomiting...she had surgery at age 12. Sending many prayers for sweet Buddy. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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