Roxy is sick-gagging shaking

[Saara]

Rox had her 4th bday on sat, and has never been sick like this. Started Monday with upset stomach lots of gargling, generally a little tired but nothing serious, she also didn't walk down stairs, but can go up fine. Tuesday got worse she would shake for a bit and just stand there, didn't really want to move. She ate dinner only on Mon and Tues, usually she eats breakfast too. Then last night she ate dinner and threw up, then starting this gagging thing but it wasn't a deep gag it was more from the throat. Sometimes she did the whole body gag, but throughout the night she mostly did this throat gag, like deep swallowing. We were going to take her to the emergency vet last night, but it's 40 km away (we don't have a car)they gave advice that she seems ok for the night and in the morning to take her to her normal vet in town. I have an appointment this morning at noon, if she has an 'attack' we can bring her in before. Now she is sleeping peacefully as she had a rough night. Anyone else experience anything like this? Advice is appreciated. Also she won't drink anything except a couple tongue fulls in the past day and a half, has also pooed and peed everyday. Even this morning when she hasn't really eaten since Tuesday (today is thursday). Thanks for any help
Saara

 

[Jan]

I really have no idea. I would definitely keep your appointment with your vet. Hopefully they will be able to figure out what is wrong. I hope she is feeling better soon.

 

[punchinella]

Oh I'm so sorry your baby is not well. Hopefully the vet can figure it out and it's nothing serious. Keep us posted.

 

[KatCH]

I'm not an expert and it's merely a guess, but maybe she has a sore throat and that's why she doesn't want to eat and I know when I've had stuff like strep or whatever that my stomach also gets upset. Maybe it's something like that?

Anyway good luck at the vet, I hope they figure out whatever it is and she recovers soon!

 

[Saara]

Update

Many xrays later, and a blood test, and an IV bag later. They think its her esophagus- its either an injury (from all the new bones and treats she got on her 4th bday saturday) or something congenital. They found air in the xrays and said her esophagus is widened, and used some sort of 'liquid' that shows up in xrays, as they didn't have a scope they could use, they were looking for an obstruction but couldn't find one. She is now on 4 different meds and has to take pills- the hardest thing ever when she wont even swallow water. She's so stubborn. The vet also said to raise her dishes so its easier for her to get food down, but I know thats a bloat risk factor. The vet said not to worry. Any ideas on how to get her to drink, we have tried snow and ice cubes...no go. Right now I can't even imagine trying to get her to eat, but the pain shot they gave her is still working so at least shes calm and sleepy so she won't start with the gagging again.

Anyone else experience this esophagus stuff?
Thanks

 

[CharlieChanc]

Definitely keep an appt with thet vet. Has Roxy lost much weight? What are her stools like? When vomiting, is there anything much other than food?

A lot of things can cause this. Charlie started much like this before being dx with Addison's. That causes lethargy, upset tummy (and ulcers are common), pain/discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, less interest in food, rapid weight loss, shaking/trembling. Not necessarily all of these symptoms, although rapid weight loss is extremely common (even if eating normally).

Could also be a bug she picked up that needs time, or perhaps antibiotics to clear up. If she seems rather mucussy (sp?), especially nose/throat, perhaps something like a kennel cough. (Neighbors dogs had picked this up last year somehow, although both were vaccinated against it. But their's had a lot of coughing/mucus).

Once, when Chance was about 4 months old, he'd gotten some form of mystery illness. Started off with some vomitting/slight coughing, but extreme lethargy. Softer stools than normal, if I recall. He went from being the busiest puppy on the planet to being the most mellow overnight. My other dog (the one with Addison's) also came down with it the next day, so it was some type of contagious bug. Both were put on antibiotics, and recovered rather quickly.

Hopefully your vet will have more ideas and can offer a quick and easy fix!

Lots of luck!

Andrea

 

[sriley]

In terms of trying to get some food/water into your girl, perhaps a bit of sodium reduced chicken or beef broth would work. Make sure the sodium content is low as you don't want to further dehydrate her. I would dilute the broth with some water and see if that is enough to tempt her to drink. You could also trying putting some diluted broth on her food and that might get her to eat. Just a thought.