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Post by sugar on Jan 24, 2014 14:11:54 GMT -5
So I took Chubby out for his 1st morning walk around 6:15am. We are currently on a 4th floor walkup, and by the time we got to the 3rd floor he coughed 2x, swayed from side to side and just collapsed. I can't even begin to explain my hysterics. I scooped him up and carried him 1floor more to our apartment (during which he pooped himself and my sweater). He was totally unresponsive for about 5-7 minutes (which feel like so much longer). His gums were white and he jus felt to boneless while I was carrying him. He hates being picked up and feeling his head flop about while riushing him up the stairs just broke me. All I could think was "this can't be it, I can't do this, Not now". Over and over I thought I was thinking it but Jason later told me I was actually saying it out loud. I got him inside and after a while he began to slowly come out of it, little by little. After about 15 minutes he was thirsty so he got water and ate his kibble.
We went to this vet around 11am (had to wait for my brother to pick us up in his car and drive us over). The vet gave him a physical exam, asked a bunch of questions and took blood. I should get the results by tomorrow or Monday. Chubby is acting like is normal self, but he is on 48hr watch to make sure he doesn't have another episode. The vet said it could be anything from a fainting spell to a heart condition to a brain synapse problem (don't you love those all or nothing diagnosis? I know its not the vet's fault, I just hate not having it more pinpointed). I just now getting over the shakes.
Any one else ever deal with something like this? I can't even explain how fully I thought he had died because he was just so gone (and the involntary pooping made me so sure he was gone...I can't even think about it).
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Post by suziriot on Jan 24, 2014 14:59:29 GMT -5
OMG Kaleena I am so sorry. Poor Chubbster!!!! This happened to Otis about 3 years ago. We came home from dinner, let him out of his crate, he swayed side to side and just collapsed. White gums, not completely unconscious, but pretty unresponsive for about 10 minutes. We rushed him to our vet, who does his emergency calls personally thank dog. By then he was up and walking around, shaking a little bit and lethargic. His blood pressure was very low. Vet put him on fluids to perk him up, but he said he wasn't really dehydrated. We did every test imaginable. Ultrasounds, EKG, tons of bloodwork. Not Cushings, not Addison, everything was normal. It's never happened again. He does have a slight heart murmur. He goes through appetite/weight loss and skin issues once in a while, and so we do lots of retesting of bloodwork. But nothing has ever come back abnormal.
Watch him carefully for other symptoms. If it's neurological, you will most likely see symptoms. Poor Chubby and poor you and Jason! Please keep us posted.
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Post by melonie on Jan 24, 2014 18:17:55 GMT -5
Im so glad he's "ok". Sorry you had to experience something like this. Give yourself and Chubby a hug for me.
Sent from my SM-G730V using proboards
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Post by maryellen on Jan 24, 2014 21:56:06 GMT -5
Omg !!! Thank goodness he is ok
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Post by sugar on Jan 27, 2014 14:49:28 GMT -5
So we got his bloodwork back. His liver numbers are elevated to 'moderately high' (something like they should be 130s and his is like 210s I think, sorry I don't recall exact number. I'll have the vet give me a copy next time I see him).
Vet is not 'extremely concerned yet' but wants to retest his liver with chem blood work in 3 weeks. Something about how he thinks the bile salts aren't being properly flushed or moved or something like that. Also, his thyroid seems a little off (again, sorry for non-exact numbers but its something like it is typically .8 and Chubby's is a 1). He said potentially in three months to retest thyroid.
The only think the vet thinks might elevate the liver is a drinking water supplement I had Chubby on to help clean his teeth (heard so many good things about it). The vet said a few years ago he remembers a case where elevated liver ended up being because they were giving the same type of supplement. So for now, he is totally off that now. He is currently eating Vet's Choice Holistic lamb and brown rice formula (they use antibiotic/hormone free NZ lamb), but the vet doesn't think its that.
I'm a little scared, because vet talked about possibly needing liver pills, or thyroid pills or if his liver is still elevated in three weeks he wants to do an ultrasound on his abdomen because with his hemangiosarcoma he wants to make sure he isn't developing tumors on his liver. I'm shaking a little at work and trying hard to keep it together, but its not easy. Last night alone I got up like 5 times to make sure Chubby was still ok (pretty sure his grumbling was his annoyance with me not letting him sleep).
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Post by sugar on Jan 27, 2014 14:57:36 GMT -5
The vet mentioned Denamarin, but he said we may or may not need it later depending on the tests. I've checked 800-petmeds... www.1800petmeds.com/Denamarin+Chewable+Tabs++-prod438143.htmlIf he needs 2 tabs a day, its going to be slightly over $100 per month. I don't think I can afford that. As it is we are cutting back a lot of corners just to afford his vet bills (and trying to put aside because with his hemangiosarcoma he tends to require surgery about minimum twice a year it seems). I need to just curl up under a blanket for the rest of the year.
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Post by melonie on Jan 27, 2014 19:16:03 GMT -5
I googled denamarin and found it at amazon for around 75-80. Do some more shopping around! But, try not to worry until you have to. I know it's hard not to worry though. Hoping for the best in a few weeks!
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Post by maryellen on Jan 27, 2014 21:14:33 GMT -5
I would stop the stuff in his water too and keep an eye on him
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Post by catstina on Jan 27, 2014 23:15:49 GMT -5
Oh Sugar! I can't imagine how scary this must have been for you!! Keeping you and Chubby in my thoughts.
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Post by sugar on Jan 28, 2014 8:53:33 GMT -5
Anyone ever given Milk Thistle for liver issues with dogs? I've been doing a lot of reading and found lots of info on people using Milk Thistle to help dogs with liver issues.
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Post by catstina on Jan 28, 2014 10:15:56 GMT -5
We sell it at PDog, but I haven't had any feedback from customers. Earth Animal makes a Milk Thistle supplement for dogs.
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Post by michele5611 on Jan 28, 2014 10:57:39 GMT -5
First off soo sorry to hear that you guys had to go through that. How scary! Hugs to you and Chubs. I def think it would be wise to run a blood panel again in the next few weeks and in the meantime try not to stress to much (impossible to do for most of us I know!) . As far as Milk Thistle I have been giving it to Harley for over three years now since she was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. This is the one I use but there are plenty to chose from. www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Animals-Apawthecary-Dandelion-Milk-Thistle/148020.aspx
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Post by sugar on Jan 28, 2014 12:13:44 GMT -5
First off soo sorry to hear that you guys had to go through that. How scary! Hugs to you and Chubs. I def think it would be wise to run a blood panel again in the next few weeks and in the meantime try not to stress to much (impossible to do for most of us I know!) . As far as Milk Thistle I have been giving it to Harley for over three years now since she was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. This is the one I use but there are plenty to chose from. www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Animals-Apawthecary-Dandelion-Milk-Thistle/148020.aspxMichele, what is the dosage you give Harley? Chubby is about 68-70lbs.
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Post by sugar on Jan 28, 2014 12:15:15 GMT -5
Also, should I be concerned about the grain alcohol?
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Post by michele5611 on Jan 28, 2014 13:36:54 GMT -5
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Post by sugar on Jan 31, 2014 10:47:02 GMT -5
Thanks Michele, that would be awesome
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Post by michele5611 on Feb 7, 2014 9:06:04 GMT -5
This was a short work week for me because of the weather so I will send out the milk thistle next week. I have your address from Secret Santa but wanted to double check that is where you want it to go to. I will be sending it via Fed Ex or UPS so let me know!
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Post by sugar on Feb 7, 2014 9:24:10 GMT -5
yep, thats my mom's address. Can I paypal you the shipping fee or something?
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Post by sugar on Mar 4, 2014 11:24:44 GMT -5
So Chubby has been on milk thistle supplement for about three and a half weeks. His major liver enzyme levels have gone down from close to 200 to 47. The vet is very happy about that. BUT (and because Its Chubby, there is always a BUT), his minor levels have not gone down. In fact they went up five point from 230 to 235. Vet said the high end of those levels should only be about 130 (he said its calcium-phophosate or phosphate or something that sounds like that). Vet said normally went one number goes down so does the other, and he is puzzled as to how one level can improve so dramatically while the other stayed the same or got a little worse.
Vet needs more blood in the next two weeks for the second half of his chem panel and is considering an ultrasound in the next two or three months if things don't improve.
never a dull (or inexpensive) moment with this dog of mine.
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Post by sugar on Mar 4, 2014 11:31:32 GMT -5
Vet also said that Chubby didn't look like a 'Cushings' dog...so now I'm trying to figure that out
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