Loving my Oldies Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Thanks Westiemum. Yes, you and yours have been going through the wringer as well **hugs**. But, hey!! Not all gloom and doom. I've been waiting on an invoice for some financial and legal advice and was led to believe it would be at least $2k ..... arrived yesterday via email and I was afraid to open it. When I did just a while ago it was "only" $660.00. So the difference will almost pay for the car LOL LOL. Danny is hovering at my feet as I am havinng lunch [and breakfast] of cheesy scrambled eggs on toast. Normally, I would give him some, but am ignoring the pleading begging eyes as I don't want any upsets to his delicate system. It is almost too rich for me ........... What worries me, though, is that it won't get better given Danny's age. I just hope that the mix of medications can start making him feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 (edited) Hugs to both of you. You make my little problems seem miniscule. :hug: eta by both I mean DDD and westiemum. Hugs to all dogs too of course. One day I will get the hang of this internet communication. Edited October 16, 2014 by sarsaparilla Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I'm wondering if you've had Danny looked at for IBS (I'm assuming you and the vet have it covered though!). A friend of mine has a cat who chucks up regularly every night and has been prescribed Metrigel daily for the rest of her life. Your poor bubs and you. Here's hoping things start settling down!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Danny has been xrayed, RiverStar, which showed his hiatus hernia and wiggly oesophagus. He has been poked and prodded everywhere which I think would have brought complaints had he had IBS. But thank you for the heads up. I will difinitely bring it up with the vets as I have to report back after a few days of keeping a daily record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Off to phone vet. Danny has thrown up three times since I last posted :( Strangely enough he seems happy enough, though. The first two I saw and he licked them up. The third I have just found on the deck so don't know when he did it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 My poor little Danny is still far from well and we are off to SASH tomorrow for ultrsounds and, if indicated, scopes. I hope they find something treatable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 (edited) Vulcan has daily meds for his allergies. The tablet is big and a liquid capsule so I can't break it up and it would be very hard to hide in anything. I open his mouth with one hand and put the med right at the back of his mouth with the other. Then I hold his head up and stroke his throat to help him swallow. I follow this up with half a teaspoon of manuka honey. He loves the honey so much as soon as he hears me popping out a tablet he's by my side waiting for the meds. With smaller tablets (like the comfortis flea treatment) I feed him a few bits of cheese to get him excited. I throw them at him and he catches and swallows in one gulp. Then I'll press the tablet into a peice of cheese and toss it to him - he gulps it down. Mince meat works too if I have some, but cheese on always in hand at my place. Occasionally he'll taste the tablet and spit it out - if that happens I'll start the process again making sure I cover up the tablet better, sometimes I need to break it up into smaller peices and wrap cheese around the different bits for him. I hope you find something that works! I've taught my dog that taking a tablet is like a 'trick' and when he does it, he earns a treat. He comes running to me, throws himself into an "at attention" sit when he hears the medication being prepared and I only have to say "take a tablet" and he opens his mouth for it. That aside, for dogs not taught this, what Polgara's Shadow has written is along the lines of what I'd do. Randomisation of treats with and without the pills means your dog is less likely to become so suspicious of treats that s/he doesn't trust it when you offer them. One tip for getting them to swallow that I find better than gently stroking the throat is to lightly/gently blow in their nose. This causes my boy to lick and swallow. It was the method I used when I was teaching him to take meds. Most times I don't need to encourage swallowing but if I do (which is usually when I've slightly mis-aimed the med and it's not gone centre towards the rear of his tongue) I now only have to say "swallow" and he will. Edited October 20, 2014 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 The point is that Danny is feeling sick: he has a sliding hiatus hernia, weakened (through age) oesophagus and reflux. I atually did try to push a tablet down his throat this morning, I was so worried, but he just about choked to death . For the past couple of days, vegemite toast and roast chicken have worked perfectly, but today he just didn't want anything. He is obviously getting worse. Luckily my car was back in time from the garage for me to get down to see my vet and he told me that in the whole of his career, he has seen only one other dog like not responding to medication. Poor little Danny had two very rancid throw ups at the vet. Mostly his throw ups are undigested food or food he hasn't been able to get past his oesophagus. He has gone from 5.4kgs to 5.2kgs in 6 days. Hopefully, tomorrow's visit to the specialist will provide us with some answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Best wishes for a positive outcome from the specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I use cheese - I put a little bit in a bowl and microwave it for about 8 seconds then wrap it around the pill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Best wishes for a positive outcome from the specialist. Thank you. I just want to cry, really, because Danny is my little boy and I am his mum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 You are doing a great job in taking care of him, it is not easy, but be kind to yourself during this stressful time - you are a great mum to Danny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 I second the above post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 DDD- such a sad time - you've been there, done that - now it's your special boy .Hoping for a positive report from the specialist for you - while I will gently remind you about that which you know ..but which is hard to apply . Remember , with life, it's quality over quantity ...for everyone . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 Thanks Persephone. Don't worry - when I have very sick and/or old dogs to the vet, my first instructions are that my feelings are not for consideration, only what is best for the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Fingers crossed that you can get to the bottom of what's making him so unwell, and get a treatment plan that makes him much more comfortable. I know how much you and Danny mean to each other DDD... here's hoping that you have some good answers today. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 Danny has been left at SASH for them to start their investigations. He will be there at least until tomorrow. Examination of previous xrays this afternoon and possible more xrays if SASH feels they are needed. Someone else will know but I've forgotten the name .... Fluso something .... xrays while he is seating up and given food with dye in it. Ultrasounds and scopes tomorrow. Poor little man. At least he will probably relax and just sleep because he doesn't spend his whole day following me, checking me if I leave the room, etc etc. Thanks for the good wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 <br/>Thanks Persephone. Don't worry - when I have very sick and/or old dogs to the vet, my first instructions are that my feelings are not for consideration, only what is best for the dog.<br/><br/><br/><br/>he is in the best spot for now .... sending thoughts & a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley James Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Awwww the poor boy Sending good thoughts and hugs your way. Hoping for a positive report when you pick him up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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