Author Topic: Fraser with gut issue a year later  (Read 4725 times)

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Offline tritonx

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #30 on: June 25, 2020, 12:19:50 AM »
It really is. This morning, no greeting from him other than getting out of his bed, he went outside and hid under a bush. Got him inside and he ate breakfast no problem. Later seemed normal on walk. I had to leave him this afternoon for 3 hours while I got my brakes done and when I came back, he was at the garage door to greet me and was quite keen on his food. So, maybe perking up a bit? But I notice his eyes look a bit sunken and there's little bit of gunge coming out on the inner side duct. Doesn't look green/infected, but he doesn't usually have anything there except a slight bit. It's piecing together tiny little (and some big) observations to see if anything comes together to suggest what's going on. I know lots of people on here have gone through some difficult health issues with their beloved pets. It really is draining waiting for some sign of clear cause for his sad state or a turn for the better even if the cause is never found out. Thank goodness I can talk to people who know what that's all about and have suggestions.

Offline Jaysmumagain

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #31 on: June 25, 2020, 01:37:53 PM »
It is so hard not knowing - yes we have been there and I can imagine your concerns.  Plus as you say piece by piece.  Do you think making a diary may help!!

Today it is 30c here and Ollie like Fraser is black mainly and can't take the heat and I constantly worry - like today trying to keep a strong minded cocker cool!!! Plus he acts strange in the heat...he disappears in rooms he would never venture in and under bushes too.

I do hope that Fraser picks up...stay positive and we are here to listen

Take care Julie
 
Cocker kisses and cuddles just make my day!


You are always with me darlings Jaypup and my precious Oliver you are so missed

Offline tritonx

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #32 on: June 25, 2020, 07:01:36 PM »
Thanks for your words, Jaysmum. This morning Fraser was let out in the garden and again retreated to the far end into the shadows of a bush. He's been doing that since it all started last Friday. He sits hunched looking at me and has to be lured out. Then he comes and eats his breakfast, no problem. While he was waiting for me to make his breakfast, this morning he sat in another bush opposite the patio door watching me. Usually he'd be hovering around my feet urging me on. He's strong in his body which I can see by the spring in his trot when out for a walk, but his behaviour otherwise is so low and out of character. Yesterday evening when I was putting his harness on, my hand brushed his muzzle and he let out a loud yelp ending in a whimper. ??  It was such a small, light contact. He can open his mouth to eat, pant, even pick up dry kibble I throw into the grass for him to search out (corn kernel sized) but doesn't open his mouth for larger objects or to yawn. The weather here has been mild, but not hot as you're having in the UK, so I don't think the bushes retreat has to do with being too warm though he occasionally opens his mouth to pant a bit while we're out walks in the direct sun. It's a huge mystery that my mind cycles through trying to find a clue that might explain what's going on. Keeping a diary is a good idea though my posts here have been useful as a record over time.

In the meantime, he's on gabapentin and tramadol (the gabapentin was added by the second vet who saw him on Sunday) on the basis of treating his symptoms since she couldn't see what could be causing pain. I've essentially got my second opinion, so I don't suppose it's any use spending more money to go to a third vet. I guess I'll wait for a while longer to see if there's any signs of his...what?...I don't even know what it is...mouth issue subsiding. If it doesn't improve, I'll have to consider going into Vancouver for a deeper look. That was already on the cards for investigation of his IBD that I'd been delaying because of Covid (I'm in the vulnerable oldster group), but now I'm wondering if I'll just have to do it and get the mouth thing checked as well.

Offline tritonx

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #33 on: July 04, 2020, 08:02:37 PM »
It's been a longish while since the sore mouth thing started, but Fraser is finally seeming more like himself. He still doesn't want to let me look in his mouth, but otherwise, trots along in his walks and communicates by eye in a more normal way than the sad eyed boy he'd been for a couple of weeks. Still don't know what the issue was and he's still on the last of the gabapentin and antibiotic, so I hope when the pain pill is finished, he's still feeling okay. I've booked with the specialist clinic in Vancouver. He'll get an examination and possibly ultrasound. If he needs endoscopy, it will mean another trip. The logistics of getting over there has been fraught--trying to book on the ferry for a time that will correspond to the morning only consultation time (means getting up extremely early) and plotting out possible open toilet places along the route. Thank goodness for Google Earth. You'd think it was the storming of Normandy going on. I'm counting on public parks and maybe MacDonalds. So, fingers crossed.

Offline ejp

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #34 on: July 04, 2020, 09:09:55 PM »
That sounds better, lets hope he is on the mend.  :luv:   Definitely a military operation getting him to the vet, lots of planning needed.  I hope you can manage it with suitable stops for you as well.

Offline bizzylizzy

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #35 on: July 05, 2020, 06:32:43 AM »
That does sound like a logistical challenge ! although  I would imagine you’re rewarded by living in beautiful surroundings?
Glad to hear Fraser‘s feeling better, best of luck for your trip, I hope you can get some answers!

Offline tritonx

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #36 on: July 05, 2020, 10:52:14 PM »
Yes I do live in a lovely spot. No matter how many times you look out at the sea and mountains, you never get tired of how beautiful it is. Just stunning scenery here on the west coast. But, we pay for the pleasure of living here by having to rely on an overloaded and underfunded ferry system which makes already fraught situations like specialist doctor visits for human or animal especially difficult and now with Covid, off the scale. Ferries running late, reservations canceled abruptly, long lineups. We Coasters live in a state of simmering rage about BC Ferries. But then there's the fresh air, sparkling sea, massive mountains, forest walks and lots of wildlife. Good thing it's so tranquillising  :lol2:

Offline Jaysmumagain

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #37 on: July 06, 2020, 10:21:34 AM »
It does sound a challenge but getting Fraser sorted will be worth it....plus me thinks this tie of year is better than others ;)
Cocker kisses and cuddles just make my day!


You are always with me darlings Jaypup and my precious Oliver you are so missed

Offline tritonx

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #38 on: July 11, 2020, 07:25:38 PM »
Fraser seems to be over his mouth/jaw problem, much more like himself, now able to yawn which was the last sign of function coming back. Thank goodness. It's such a relief to see him being more cheerful and interactive. He seems to have given up frisbee as his garden exercise altogether (the day the mouth issue started, he'd yelped in pain when he tried to open his mouth to take the frisbee.) But I think it may have to do with him being 11 years old now and deciding it was just too much trouble. He gives it a couple of courtesy fetches and then drops it half way back and looks at me with ears up as if to say, 'I'm not all the bothered with this frisbee thing, could we give it a break."

Since his yearly shots were coming up and it involves a physical checkup (with his other vet), I thought I'd get a second opinion on his blood in stool issue. That vet suggested it was worth checking allergy as a cause since other things such as giardia had been tested for and it hadn't responded to more roughage and antibiotics. So I'm now transitioning him to a hypoallergenic food in hopes of getting a good result before I go to the specialist vet visit in Vancouver in two weeks.  He figures it's worth a try, but leave the specialist appointment in place for now. Needless to say, fingers crossed. Unfortunately, while there can be a noticeable difference in a week or two on the new food, it could take a couple of months to show a proper result if the cause is allergy. I'll just have to make a decision on the specialist vet closer to the appointment. In the meantime, Fraser seems much brighter, thank goodness.

Offline ejp

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #39 on: July 12, 2020, 10:06:06 PM »
That's a much cheerier post, good to hear.  I think your vet has a realistic plan, and it is worth a try.  Daisy often can't be annoyed bringing back a ball after a few throws, there are things to sniff and that is way more important.

Offline tritonx

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #40 on: July 29, 2020, 07:16:06 PM »
Hopefully a final update. I took Fraser into the Vancouver specialist clinic and results are the best of the possibilities. He had blood work and an ultrasound and both had good results. Bloodwork is normal, gut is in good shape, but on physical exam the vet found an rectal polyp that is the probable cause of the bleeding. He's given pills (Piroxican) that he said could clear up the polyp (dissolve it? stop it from bleeding? Not sure the process). And if the pills don't work, the polyp can be removed surgically. It's not far inside the rectum (though my local vets did not detect it), so maybe the surgery could be done up here instead of another trip to Vancouver. But all in all, a big relief. My boy seems to be basically health despite his advancing age. When I read the extensive medical report I couldn't help thinking the vet knows more about the state of my dog's health than my doctor knows about mine. So yay! And fingers crossed that the polyp will resolve without further procedures. It's been great to have a place like this to unfold such a long tale of doggie distress. Thanks for your advice and support  :003: :bigarmhug:

Offline bizzylizzy

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #41 on: July 29, 2020, 09:10:14 PM »
That‘s great news! So pleased you‘‘ve finally got answers -  a bit of a pain in the bum for poor Fraser but glad to hear its nothing life threatening, what a relief!
All the best for you both!  :D

Offline ejp

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #42 on: July 29, 2020, 10:41:46 PM »
That is brilliant news, what a relief! I hope the medication works for him  :luv: I get what you mean about the vets medical knowledge, I sometimes think I'd be better to visit them than my GP  :005:

Offline Jaysmumagain

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Re: Fraser with gut issue a year later
« Reply #43 on: July 30, 2020, 10:25:08 AM »
Great news to read about Fraser.

Sure the meds will do the trick.....the name is a blast from the past as I used to take them myself for bad back and helped.

Am sure you are feeling happy knowing your boy is basically well as vet said.

Do keep posting now and again it's lovely to hear from you and how Fraser is doing.
Cocker kisses and cuddles just make my day!


You are always with me darlings Jaypup and my precious Oliver you are so missed