Please help!

da_nielg · #1 10-21-2009, 02:42 PM

I am so concerned about our 6 yo boxer right now. Problems began last Friday when he threw up his food. After that, he would not eat at all. Wanted to drink as much or more than normal but began throwing up (or regurgitating?) even water. Within a few minutes of taking in anything, it comes right back up. Also has somewhat runny stool.

Took him to the vet on Monday. Bloodwork normal, nothing showed up on xray. She recommended that they keep him overnight for iv hydration and antibiotics (in case of some kind of infection). Tuesday (six hundred dollars later), they said he had not thrown up or had loose stool since being there so we could bring him home. He also had not eaten or drank anything so of course he hadn't thrown up!

We brought him home with orders to feed bland food of prescription type. They basically said they require (what?!!) you to buy the special food though I told them I preferred to feed bland chicken, rice, or something else from home. They insisted that their food (Purina EN) is easier on the stomach. He has been on Innova or Wellness his whole life and doesn't tolerate beef or fillers well at all. They also said to give anti-nausea meds, and antibiotics. She said if he was not better in a few days, give them a call. We got him home, gave him a small bit of water, and it promptly came back up. He cannot keep even water down, let alone food or the meds. If they had even tried to give him a drink of water, they would've know that!

So, now I don't know what to do. He is still sick. Has not eaten since Friday. Can't keep water down. I'm very hesitant to take him back to the vet after the little help that they were the first time. I have no idea what this could be. What can I do??

sriley · #2 10-21-2009, 04:26 PM

I'm so sorry your baby is sick

My only experience with something like this is when my boy was diagnosed with pancreatitis. If you do an internet search on the condition, you'll find a wealth of information. It is, however, diagnosed with blood work and it sounds like your dog's blood work was normal.

In terms of the clinic prescribing a Purina diet, I have only one thought: YIKES! If I were in your position, I would seriously consider taking the dog to a different vet clinic for another opinion. Your dog is obviously sick and no one knows your dog better than you. If you're not satisfied with his treatment (or lack thereof), go elsewhere. It will definitely be worth the peace of mind. Good luck. I sincerely hope it's a minor condition and that your baby will be feeling better soon. Please keep us posted.

Caney Creek · #3 10-21-2009, 04:34 PM

I am so sorry you're going through this! I don't have any advice other than to find a NEW VET asap. IMO several things about your post scream "get a second opinion!"

Please keep us updated!

BxrMommieNAZ · #4 10-21-2009, 10:52 PM

I would have to agree with Caney. At the very least they should have sent home sub q fluids if he couldn't keep water down. I'd find a new vet and go for a second opinion ASAP.

da_nielg · #5 10-22-2009, 05:24 AM

Thanks for the encouragment everyone. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm overreacting/worrying too much. Aspen is our male white boxer and he has never had any illnesses or problems so he has me really concerned. We did take him to another vet last night. She was definitely more concerned and helpful. We opted to leave him there for iv fluids and anti-nausea meds and they will be giving him a barium swallow test early this morning to see if they can pinpoint something. I felt so bad leaving him again but I hope they are able to find out what is wrong with our baby. Our female boxer is pretty lost here at home without him!

Thanks again for the help and I will let you know what they find!

LILYLARUE · #6 10-22-2009, 06:53 AM

I'm so glad you found another vet that seems more helpful. You are your dog's voice, and you are speaking for him very well. Keep it up and hopefully this new vet will be more open to your care of your dog.

Sending Healing Vibes....<<<<>>>>>

da_nielg · #7 10-22-2009, 08:27 AM

I'm very sorry to report that the vet did not end up doing the barium swallow. When she did the preliminary chest x-ray, she discovered a very large mass on the lung which is pressing on/blocking the esophagus. It does not look like Aspen will be here with us much longer. My kids are devastated as are my hubby and I. Thank you again for your advice and support. I am very glad that I followed your advice and my gut and found another doc. I don't know how we are going to say goodbye.

BxrMommieNAZ · #8 10-22-2009, 08:36 AM

Oh my gosh I am SO sorry! Big hugs to you and your family. I am glad you found someone willing to find out what was wrong though so that nobody suffers needlessly. Good luck to you guys and give Aspen an extra big hug!

ChristyA · #9 10-22-2009, 09:34 AM

I am so very sorry about your boy. You will know when it is time to say good-bye and be with him as he goes to the Rainbow Bridge.

I am also outraged at your first vet. He needs to refund some if not all of the money he charged you for doing basically nothing. There is no reason he couldn't find the exact same diagnosis the second vet did.

I too am in Ohio and ran into almost the same situation when my boxer girl had an enlarged heart. A few hundred dollars to the ER where they found nothing, then 2 days later another vet did a simple chest xray and found the problem. Sophie's heart was the size of a canteloupe. I did send the ER vet a letter stating what the problem was, she of course never responded. Vets need to be held to the same standards as a human Dr.

My prayers are with you, your family, and your boy.
Christy

Caney Creek · #10 10-22-2009, 09:42 AM

Oh my gosh... I am so, SO sorry to hear this

Poor Aspen. I'm glad you found another vet that was able to give him a proper diagnosis. My heart goes out to you and your family.