my owen is really sick. 3/5 UPDATE BELOW, HE IS HOME!

i've not posted about this yet, because honestly, it's been too upsetting.

on sunday afternoon owen started having some mild diarrhea, and then during the night he threw up once.

then on monday night he started getting lethargic and wouldn't eat or drink, and threw up again.

tuesday morning we took him to the vet, and they rehydrated him and took some bloodwork, assuming it was an infection.

bloodwork came back wednesday with abnormally high potassium, which wouldn't be the case in a dog who was vomiting... so that was our clue that something wasn't right. plus, the other labs showed no signs of infection.

thursday he was back at the vet for more fluid and bloodwork - getting progressively more lethargic.

by thursday night he couldn't even walk up the stairs we felt so helpless - no clue what was wrong with him

this morning the vet called early, telling us that his bloodwork is consistent with Addison's disease. his adrenal glands are not working, so he was slowly dying

good news is - he is currently at the vet getting more testing, but she is pretty sure that we've got a diagnosis. he is getting treated now with fluids and steroids, and will likely need to be on steroids for the rest of his life. but hopefully he'll be ok.

this has all been so scary and upsetting... thanks for letting me share

Message edited 3/5/2007 3:06:36 PM.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

for Owen!!

It's so scary when they're sick! I hope he gets better soon.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

OMG, poor Owen. Please keep us posted

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

for Owen and for you

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

Many for you and Owen!!

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

That must have been terrible...thank God you have a diagnosis and he will be okay...

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

Any updates?

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long)

Update 3/3:

owen had a day-long test yesterday involving serial blood draws, which will give us the definitive answer of whether he has addison's disease.

no results back yet, but we decided to treat him as if he has it - if he doesn't, 3 days of treatment with steroids won't hurt, but if he does have it and we don't treat him he could die.

so the vet gave him a steroid injection yesterday before we picked him up, and it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! for a short while, he was himself again!!! after that he became lethargic again, but still better than he was.

we will need to get the medication dosing just right to get him back to himself. but given all his numbers and his response to treatment, we are all pretty much convinced he has addison's.

THANKS to all of you for your prayers, keep them coming so that my baby gets better!

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

Im so sorry

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

If it is Addison's, it is very treatable.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

I hope and pray Owen gets some relief.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

Good luck Owen!!

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

I hope he continues to get better. Sounds very scary and after all the PG stuff your dealing with. I truely feel for you.
Hang in there!

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

I hope Owen feels better. Strange you say Addisions disease. One of my old students has tht.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

Posted by alexlynn7

Update 3/3:

owen had a day-long test yesterday involving serial blood draws, which will give us the definitive answer of whether he has addison's disease.

no results back yet, but we decided to treat him as if he has it - if he doesn't, 3 days of treatment with steroids won't hurt, but if he does have it and we don't treat him he could die.

so the vet gave him a steroid injection yesterday before we picked him up, and it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! for a short while, he was himself again!!! after that he became lethargic again, but still better than he was.

we will need to get the medication dosing just right to get him back to himself. but given all his numbers and his response to treatment, we are all pretty much convinced he has addison's.

THANKS to all of you for your prayers, keep them coming so that my baby gets better!

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). updated below

well, last night we had a little setback. owen started vomiting dark stuff that looked like coffee grounds, which for humans means an upper GI bleed. so we frantically took him to the ER, even though he actually was looking relatively energetic and in no distress.

the vet was not too impressed with the vomit - she said that dogs can irritate their stomach/esophagus from vomiting and make it bleed, hence the dark vomit. that was a RELIEF.

but she did think that he needed some antibiotics, since he now has some red and white cells in his stool - probably inflammation from the diarrhea. she also felt he needed to stay hospitalized, with no food/water and IV fluids.

so now my baby is in the hospital... got a call this morning, and she said he is doing very well. no vomiting and "a lot friskier". we will visit him today, and god-willing pick him up tomorrow.

this is costing us a FORTUNE. but we just need him to be better.

THANKS for your prayers, everyone!!!!!!

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). 3/4 UPDATE BELOW.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). 3/4 UPDATE BELOW.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). 3/4 UPDATE BELOW.

Just wanted to send you some more prayers.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). 3/4 UPDATE BELOW.

Re: my owen is really sick (sorry, a little long). 3/4 UPDATE BELOW.

OWEN IS HOME!!!!!

picked him up from the hospital this morning and pretty much took him right to the groomer because he was absolutely filthy - but feeling worlds better! then took him to the vet to get his first monthly steroid injection.

AND NOW HE IS HOME!!!

the testing done on friday confirmed his diagnosis of addison's disease. he will need to be on meds for the rest of his life, but will hopefully be able to lead a full, normal life.

SO many thanks to ALL of you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers!