Sick 8 year old Boxer

[catneon]

Kysha,

I am so very sorry to read this about Tegan I sincerely hope the treatment works even if you don't have a rock solid diagnostic. Poor sweety it must not be very comfortable for her. I am sending some good positive vibes your way. I wish there was something I could do to help. I am sure there must be alternatives to the Purina kibble. Please keep us updated on her progress.

Catherine and Gazou

 

[Kysha]

After spending the better part of the day at the vet having more blood work done (all normal) and some x-rays they have found some masses in Tegan's stomach/intestine area :( We are not sure exactly what the masses are, but they are a concern. My vet gets back from vacation on Monday and will have a look at the x-rays for a second opinion to see what they are. We may have to do an ultrasound to see that exactlt the masses are and what if anything they are attached to...

Tegan has to go out at least every 3 hours, so not much sleep is had my me and my husband... she started vomitting and refusing to eat yesterday so things are definately not getting better.

She will remain on the steroids and the Tylosin (antibiotic) for now until Monday. This combination at least alows her to hold herself for three hours, otherwise she would need to go more ofter (I can imagine that!).

I did get her to eat this evening - veggie mush and hamburger (her favourite). But she was reluctant. We will see what tomorrow brings.

Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Between Tegan being so sick and us moving in 5 days, life is a very hectic, and I am sure this does not help Tegan any.

Tegan is now down to 49 pounds (she is usually around 63). She is very lethargic and not alert at all.

Tegan will turn 8 years old in less than a month - I hope we get to celebrate this together.

Thanks to everyone's support, I can't tell you how helpful it has been.

Give your fur babies a hug tonight.

Kysha

 

[debbie knowles]

Oh Kysha,
I am so sorry...I was so hopeful that Tegan woud be getting better by now. I have been including her in my prayers and will continue to do so....hang in there, girl and give them both a big hug for me. djk

Only 6 more days....til I can turn my calendar to T & O and I would sure be happy to hear some good news for that pretty girl. I do hope there will be better news soon.

 

[swatman]

Kysha,
My hopes and prayers are with Tegan and I'm hoping for the best. I've been watching your posts and reserving judgement and replies because I just lost my boy Gunther at 5 1/2 to what we believe was some type of G.I cancer. After your last post I decided to respond since some symptoms are similar and some are not to what we experienced. The abrupt weight loss is concerning but if Tegans bloodwork (specifically a lack of high platelette and high white count) is positive. I don't want to alarm you because of my experience, but I still question everyday what exactly took my boy (July 14,2004). The ultrasound may or may not be helpful, in my case the air in the stomach did not allow the soundwaves to penetrate and when I asked my vet about doing an endoscopy he said it would not be helpful (probably knew more than he wanted to tell me). Gunther had constant vommiting, that cleared temporarily on prednisone but had very dark diareah throughout our ordeal(indicating a stomach bleed). He had difficulty swallowing but did not loose interest in food until the very end. I hope Tegan doesn't have these symptoms as well and if so hopefully it is inflamed bowel disease, which is treatable. Stay the course and know we are all hoping for the best for you and your baby, I'm sure it will work out fine. Mike

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Kysha, I am so sorry to hear this news. I know this must be heartwrenching to hear & go through. Please know that Tegan and you guys are in my prayers and hopefully the masses are not cancerous and will be able to be removed. Please keep your chin up and I also hope your move goes smoothly! So much to do! Hugs & kisses to all!

Dora & the Zoo Crew

 

[Cindy Creel]

I hope all goes well at the vets on Monday. You and Tegan will be in my prayers.

Cindy

 

[ljnash]

Sending lots of good vibes to Tegan today~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope whatever the lumps are can be easily taken care of!!

Lenore, Samantha & Beau

 

[lorishields]

Prayers are going out to you and your baby. I wonder if she's ingested something that has not been able to pass?

I had a boxer that stopped eating anything but grass. They took x-rays and ultrasound and nothing was positive. They decided to cut him open and there was 1/2 a raquet ball lodged in his intestines with about a pound of grass jammed in him! That ball WAS NOT going anywhere!

As much as I didn't want to do exploritory, you may want to think about this option should it be brought up. My boy was only 3 at the time and with your 8YO there's more of a concern....

But if I waited any longer he probably would have died.

Hopefully you'll get better news this week - fingers crossed in the SW for you and Tegan!

Lori Shields
Boxer Luv Rescue

 

[Kysha]

THANK YOU everyone for your support -it had meant SO much to me.

I am still waiting to hear from the vet - hopefully it will be soon - they said sometime today they would call. As soon as I hear something I will be sure to post!

Tegan is eating on occassion. Everyday she picks a new favourite, and the trouble is finding what the favourite is!!! This morning it was liver and veggies. Last night it was liver and salmon! We will see what tonight is.

She sleep alot and has no interest in really doing anything. He temperment is stable though so I don't think that she is in any pain. She will cuddle and give us kisses like she normally does.

Owen is acting differently though - he does not like to leave Tegan's side. I take him to the park to play with his friends and he doesn't want to play with them at all - he ignores them completly. All he wants to do is get back to see hisTegan. It's very cute, but I really worry how he will do if we loose her. He only knows life with Tegan...

Everytime I think about it I cry. I try to keep myself busy, but it's hard.

Mike - thank you very much for your story. The symptoms that Gunther had sounds very similar to Tegan's. I will let you know what the vet says about the ultrasound. I know what you went through must have been horrible, but I really appreciate you taking time to share - it does make me feel better. I know that there is something wrong with her, but nobody can pinpoint what it is exactly. That is what is so frusterating.

Thanks again for all your support.

Kysha

 

[Kysha]

Prayers are going out to you and your baby. I wonder if she's ingested something that has not been able to pass?

We thought this first, but the x-rays did not show anything. That being said, not everyhting shows up on x-rays... If we choose to the the exploritory surgery, then we will know for sure.

Tegan will eat, and she is passing stool (liquid), but it does show that she is absorbing something -so maybe a partial blockage?

Anyway, this is something that has not been ruled out 100%, but from her other symptoms, they don't think that's what it is.