Split: Split: For Hope and Steve

[admin]

Hi Hope,
You really don’t want Steve to eat too fast for many reasons. I am always worried about bloat (torsion) because that is something Standard Poodles are prone to. Steve is a Dalmatian right? They are pretty deep chested too so that would be something you want to be careful. There are special bowls that have bumps in them so they have to work the food out of there. You could also just put a BIG rock in the bowl so he has to work around that. Obviously not one small enough that he could eat it:) I think getting him checked out is a good idea, even if it is just for your peace of mind.
Brigitte

[Hope]

Hey Brigitte!
Bloat is actually something (added to the list!!) that I have always been super worried about. Steve is very very deep chested … His vet had told us a long time ago that we need to watch him with that. His appetite is so voracious on the Pred, he almost takes off my hands when I’m trying to feed him. I ordered him one of those bowls off amazon earlier this week actually! But I don’t know how to make him chew lol bc he inhales food right now.

The vet called and said to withold food for 24 hours but to keep giving meds. They said to call tomorrow and if he’s still acting up we will bring him in then. Is that good enough you think? They also said to NOT give another aspirin to replace the one he may have thrown up (he got it 30 min prior to vomiting).. That makes me nervous too. He’s not due for another one until midnight tonight.

Thoughts?! In a panic as always!
Hope

[admin]

Hi Hope,
first of all take a deep, deep breath:) If indeed Steve is getting worse again there is nothing accomplished with panicking or freaking out. I know this is much easier said then done but give it a try.
I know that feeding raw is out of the question for Steve, this would be one thing that definitely can prevent bloat. I used to believe that putting the bowl higher is the answer, but apparently it does not make a difference either way. Not chewing, sorry I have no solution for that. but I will think about it:)
I don’t think I would worry about the aspirin. I am actually surprised he is still on it after being at a PCV of 40. What worries me the most right now is YOU being in a panic:) I think you would sleep better and be calmer if you would take him in and do a quick blood test. it was always easy to do this for me. I live 5 min. from the vet and Kahlu loved going there. I went in many times because I had a bad feeling or was worried about something. Everybody understood my paranoia (they still do) and they always made time for me.
Good luck,
Brigitte

[Hope]

Hey there Brigitte!
Lol I’m trying to breathe! Trying! Is the vomiting ever seen with relapse? Or should I be thinking more it’s the amount/way he’s eating?
The vet had said we were going to talk about discontinuing lovenox next week so maybe the aspirin will follow? How long do they usually do that?
I’m going to look at Steve when I get home and see if I want to run him in… I was planning on going in tomorrow definitely for a PCV check to hopefully get us thru the weekend.
Hope

[Hope]

Just remembered — he also started on Denamarin yesterday, tho that was 20 hours before he threw up. Maybe that upset his stomach?

Hope

[admin]

I have not heard of Denamarin upsetting the stomach, of course that does not mean it could happen. My guess is that he wolfed his food down to fast and then with the water it just all came up again. Did he show any interest of getting at that thrown up food or has he lost his appetite?
With us vomiting was certainly a sign (one of them) of a relapse and also of the initial attack. I don’t want to scare you now, but it is for sure something you want to keep in mind, especially if it is combined with loss of appetite.
Best wishes,
Brigitte

[Vally]

Hope, I’m thinking Steve has gulped his food down too quickly. Bingo is a lazy eater and never does the 10 chews before swallowing. To stop him chocking on chicken necks or large pieces of food, I now cut up all his food – to his horror because it means he now has to WAIT while I cut. Before that, he would vomit up whole pieces of whatever.

Also with the pred reduction, I pretty much always found that the PCV would slip back a bit before it started moving back up again. Almost as though the body needs to adapt to the lower dose.

Love Vally & I’m waiting!!!

[Hope]

Hey guys!
So I took mr Steve in– Brigitte convinced me when she said that the vomiting and lack of appetite showed when her pup relapsed.

Vally you can appreciate this.. I told the staff he was all lethargic and had vomited 3x today (he threw up 2 more times after I went back to work) and had no appetite. I offered him food just to see the reaction and he had no interest. His favorite tech comes out and Steve jumps on the furniture and is hiding behind me until we get him to the floor then he goes galloping into the back. “I’m not making this up I swear.. I haven’t been here in a week. That’s good for us! Just check it please.” Lol

PCV is at 41% today!! So he’s holding though I’m slightly hesitant that is a little false high bc he’s not drinking really either.. Dehydration makes it higher right? The vet looked at him and said everything else looks good so he thinks it was just an “episode.” Clearly we have to work on his eating tho.. I guess small small chunks are going to be necessary and then maybe really small servings? Husband says I can spoon feed him or feed him out of my hand..gee thanks for the suggestion? Lol!
He seems lethargic today but I guess maybe it’s from the lack of food/vomiting thing?

Hugs to all! Hope and the trickster