VinnieAndRexsMom Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 (edited) 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. Edited May 9, 2010 by VinnieAndRexsMom Tonya, mom to May, and my angels Vinnie, Rex, Red, Chase, and Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 I'm rooting for Red. You're both in my thoughts... Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DustysMom Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Are you able to take him to a specialty hospital in your area where they have a veterinary internist or GI specialist on staff? I'll be thinking good thoughts for your boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stripeyfan Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending many prayers and hugs for you and Red. :grouphug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greytluv Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending healing white light and prayers for Red And hugs for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyTzu Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 :grouphug Wendy and The Whole Wherd. American by birth, Southern by choice. "Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!" ****OxyFresh Vendor ID is 180672239.**** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending lots of prayers for your sweet boy. Has he had an abdominal x-ray? 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...
Guest Energy11 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending many positive thoughts and prayers for Red! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ullaluv Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Tonya, my heart is breaking for you and Red, and for your whole family. I don't have any new ideas, but I too wonder if there is something else going on. I wonder if there's any chance of getting him to Purdue for a consult. I don't know about all their specialties, but Dr Green in cardiology was wonderful with my Slink. Purdue is a lot closer to you than Ohio State. I could meet you there if it would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending prayers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JoeyUK Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending prayers and our love from the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 waiting at the bridge Connie Van Teddy & Jojo, Cobra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Smiley Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 I'm keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers . . . Sending many hugs to you too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending my prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gr8hound47 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending prayers and healing white light for Red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Prayers coming from here too 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...
iluvgreys Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Adding my prayers and loads of healing light. Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinnieAndRexsMom Posted May 9, 2010 Author Share Posted May 9, 2010 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. Tonya, mom to May, and my angels Vinnie, Rex, Red, Chase, and Jake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bigbrindlebunny Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Hoping for the best - sending good thoughts your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending lots of prayers...I'd opt to get him checked out, it sounds like you may be dealing with more than tummy problems to me too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tinams8 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending lots of prayers for you and Red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Good thoughts for Red from Central New Jersey. Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest K9_Lady Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Sending many healing thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sirocco_Nikki Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Lots of hugs, prayers, and healing thoughts. Whatever it is, your love and dedication to your pups will make the right decision. Drake - Fortified Power x Cajun Oriel Janney - Ronco x Sol Happy Waiting at the bridge: Sirocco - (Reko Sirocco) - Trojan Episode x Reko Princess; Nikki - (MPS Sharai) - Devilish Episode x MPS Daisy Queen;Yukon - (Yak Back) - Epic Prince x Barts Cinnamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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